What is a Property Chain?

If you’re planning to sell your home in Ireland, one term you’re bound to hear is “property chain.” It’s one of the most common—and sometimes confusing—parts of the selling process.

At DNG Galvin based in County Cork, we’ve been helping homeowners navigate complex chains for over 40 years. Here’s our simple, expert guide to what a property chain is, how it works, and how to manage it with confidence.

What Is a Property Chain?

A property chain is a series of linked house purchases, where each transaction depends on another. In other words, each buyer needs to sell their own property in order to fund the next purchase.

Example of a Property Chain:

Buyer A wants to buy Seller B’s home.
Seller B needs to buy a new home from Seller C.
Seller C may also be buying from someone else.

This creates a chain of dependent transactions. If one part of the chain is delayed or falls through, it can affect every other deal in the sequence.

Why Do Property Chains Matter When Selling?

Property chains have a major impact on your timeline, stress levels, and overall sale success.

Here’s why:

🕒 Delays are common. Longer chains take more time to complete as each sale must align perfectly.
🧩 There are more moving parts. Each party’s solicitor, mortgage approval, and survey must line up.
❌ Chains can break down. If just one deal fails—due to finance, a bad survey, or cold feet—the entire chain could collapse.

How to Manage or Avoid a Property Chain

While property chains aren’t always avoidable, there are smart ways to reduce the risks:

✅ Top Tips for Sellers:

Choose an experienced estate agent who can guide and manage the chain (that’s us!).
Work with chain-free buyers, such as first-time buyers or cash buyers, when possible.
Be ready early—organise your paperwork, solicitor, and documents ahead of time.
Stay flexible with timelines to help keep the chain moving.

What’s the Benefit of Being Chain-Free?

If you’re selling and not buying again (downsizing, emigrating, etc.), you’re considered chain-free—and that makes you highly attractive to buyers.

Likewise, buyers who are chain-free are gold for sellers. They reduce risk, move faster, and keep things simple.