Think links
In property transactions a 'chain' starts with someone who doesn't have anything to sell, moves through people who are both buying and selling, and ends with someone who is selling only. Normally all the contracts in such a chain have to be exchanged on the same day. Chains can be limited to a few properties, or can include tens, even hundreds, of links. And it only takes one buyer or seller to pull out for the whole chain to fall apart.

Don't get caught
One of the best ways of dealing with a chain is to avoid it. When considering an offer from a buyer, ask about their position. A first-time buyer or someone buying-to-let is in a stronger position to avoid delays than someone already caught in a lengthy chain.

Find out as much as possible about the buyer's situation. Do they have external time pressures - a new job, a baby on the way? If they need a quick exchange then they'll be pushing the chain through. If they are vague then they may not be serious about moving.