In short
In England and Wales a buyer can withdraw at any time before exchange of contracts, usually without paying you anything. Find out exactly why it failed, fix anything you can — price, paperwork, a survey issue — then get back on the market quickly. Buyers who viewed before may still be interested.
Last updated . Reviewed by FindYourAgent editorial.
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The first 48 hours
Speed matters. Other buyers may still be looking.
- Ask your agent why the buyer pulled out, in writing.
- If it was a survey or valuation issue, ask for a copy of the relevant section.
- Tell your conveyancer and ask what costs have been run up so far.
- If you are buying too, tell the seller's agent and your mortgage lender.
- Ask your agent to contact everyone who viewed or offered before.
Fix the cause
Most fall-throughs repeat if nothing changes.
- Survey problem: get a quote for the repair so the next buyer can price it.
- Down-valuation: consider whether the asking price is supported by sold prices.
- Buyer's chain broke: prefer chain-free or proceedable buyers next time.
- Paperwork delays: have every document ready before the next offer.
Protect the next sale
You cannot stop every fall-through, but you can make them less likely.
- Check the next buyer's finances and chain before accepting.
- Agree target dates for searches, survey and exchange with both conveyancers.
- Ask your agent for weekly updates on the buyer's progress.
- Consider fall-through (home buyer's protection) insurance if you are also buying.
Our take
Do not relist at a higher price to 'make up' for lost time. If the first buyer pulled out because of the price or the survey, the next one will find the same thing.
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