Fewer Sales Falling Through, But the Cost Remains High

There is encouraging news for anyone planning a property move, with the latest research showing a significant drop in the number of home sales falling through.

For buyers and sellers across the country, the trend suggests that the market is becoming more stable and that transactions are increasingly reaching completion.

Analysis from House Buyer Bureau, drawing on data from TwentyCI, found that around 61,500 residential transactions collapsed during the final quarter of 2025. While that is still a considerable number, it represents a reduction of roughly 25% compared with the previous quarter and a drop of nearly 13% year on year. Those are meaningful improvements, and they point to a market where buyers and sellers are better prepared and more committed than they have been in recent years.

The total cost of failed transactions also fell in line with the lower volume. The estimated quarterly cost came in at around £218 million, a decline of nearly 25% on the previous quarter and almost 10% lower than the same period a year earlier. That means less money being wasted on legal fees, surveys and other expenses that come to nothing when a sale collapses, and fewer families left picking up the pieces after a deal falls apart.

It is worth acknowledging that individual fall-throughs remain expensive, with each one costing an estimated £3,550 on average. That figure has risen slightly due to inflation and increasing legal fees. But the broader direction of travel is positive, and the fact that fewer people are experiencing this outcome is something to be welcomed.

For those of us here in Rugby and the surrounding villages, this improving picture is particularly reassuring. Moving home is often closely tied to life events, whether that is growing families needing more space, couples taking their first step onto the property ladder, or people looking to downsize and enjoy a quieter pace of life. When a sale falls through, it does not just affect finances; it disrupts plans that families have been building towards for months. The fact that this is happening less frequently is genuinely good news for our local community.

There are several reasons behind the improvement. Buyers appear to be entering the market better prepared, with mortgage agreements in principle already in place and a clearer understanding of what they can afford. Sellers, too, seem to be taking a more proactive approach, addressing potential issues with their properties before listing and ensuring their paperwork is ready from day one. These steps might sound straightforward, but they make a real difference when it comes to keeping a transaction on track.

The role of a good estate agent should not be underestimated either. Proactive chain management, clear communication between all parties, and the ability to spot and resolve problems early can be the difference between a sale completing smoothly and one that stalls. At Ellis Brooke, this is at the heart of how we work. With over 30 years of combined experience helping people buy and sell homes across Rugby and the surrounding areas, we know that staying on top of every detail throughout the process is what keeps things moving forward.

Choosing the right buyer can also help protect against the risk of a fall-through. A well-prepared purchaser with their finances in order and no complicated chain of their own can offer a level of certainty that is worth its weight in gold. Your estate agent should always help you assess the strength of any offer, not just the price on the table.

The improving trend in fall-throughs is a sign that the market is maturing and that the lessons of recent years are being put into practice. For anyone in Warwickshire thinking about making a move, the conditions are looking more favourable, and with the right preparation and professional support, there is every reason to approach the process with confidence.

If you are considering buying or selling and would like honest, straightforward advice about your options, we would love to hear from you. Ellis Brooke offers free, no obligation property valuations to help you take that first step with confidence.