Guide to Selling & Buying a House at the Same Time in Surrey

How does selling and buying a house at the same time actually work? While there can be complications to being part of a property chain, a large proportion of Surrey sellers find themselves in this position.

We are fortunate to benefit from a range of properties in Cobham, Hinchley Wood or Claygate. Whether you are looking to buy a detached house closer to the station, or downsize from a house to a new build apartment, you will find a plethora of options locally. But that’s just part of the story.

In this guide, we offer practical advice on buying and selling a house at the same time in Surrey.

Why buy and sell a property at the same time?

Most people will be buying and selling at the same time for practical or financial reasons. Of course, there are exceptions – such as, if you are a first-time buyer, selling an inherited house, relocating for work, upsizing for your growing family, or want to buy or sell an additional property.

How Long Does It Take To buy and sell a House at the same time?

UK chains take an average of 4 to 5 months from accepting an offer to completion, and involve 3 to 4 linked transactions. Buying and selling can take longer if there’s a longer chain, or if leasehold properties or additional searches are involved.

Process of selling & buying a house simultaneously

These are the steps you will usually follow if you plan on selling and buying a property at the same time.

1. Prepare your home for sale

Add a fresh lick of paint, rearrange the furniture, and declutter thoroughly to help your home appear spacious and get your home ready to sell. You will also need an energy performance certificate (EPC) if you don’t have a valid one – your estate agent can help with arranging this.

2. Book valuations & instruct estate agent

Get recommendations and consult reviews to find good agents in your local area, and book valuations with at least 3 of them. Make sure you settle on one with expertise in selling homes like yours, not just the one offering the highest (alleged) price for your home.

3. Assess your finances

Work out the cost of buying and selling using an online calculator, bearing in mind that the average cost of selling and buying a house at the same time is higher. With mortgage rates fluctuating throughout 2026, as reported by the HomeOwners Alliance, expert advice is essential. Consider your valuation and how much equity you have, speak to a mortgage broker and arrange a mortgage in principle if needed.

4. Instruct conveyancers

Look for a conveyancer who will be communicative and responsive to ensure your move runs as smoothly as possible. Remember that solicitors’ fees for both buying and selling will be higher. It is wise to use the same conveyancing company for the sale and purchase of your property to ensure communication is as clear and easy as possible. Using the same conveyancer can also potentially speed up the transaction – helpful with 2026’s longer selling timelines.

5. Receive & accept an offer on your property

Once offers start to roll in from potential buyers, you can consider your options and accept the one which suits you. It is wise to prioritise transactions with a short property chain if you are buying and selling at the same time, as there is less chance of your purchase being derailed by issues in the chain.

6. Make an offer on your new property

With an offer accepted on your house, you are in a stronger position to make an offer on your new property. Plan your negotiation strategy and bid wisely, ensuring you balance price against the efficiency (and viability) of the transaction.

7. Apply for your mortgage

Once your offer is accepted, make a formal mortgage application with your mortgage broker.

8. Surveys & searches

Your conveyancer or conveyancing solicitor will carry out searches on your behalf. You will also need a survey of the new property by a licensed surveyor, and your buyers’ surveyor will attend yours.

9. Sales progression & the property chain

Be prepared to navigate the complexities of buying and selling as part of a property chain, and accept that there may be frustrating moments. While this represents a single point on this checklist, it is often the most fraught part of the process.

There may be multiple disruptions and delays within the property chain, so be thoroughly prepared for this. Ensure you know how long you can afford to bear with any issues and regularly liaise with your agent to ensure there is a viable backup plan, and that they are able to advise on alternatives if the chain breaks.

10. Exchange contracts

Exchange contracts with the buyer and seller, and set a completion date. Once contracts have been exchanged, everyone in the chain is legally bound to complete the sale.

11. Prepare to move

Get ready for the move by booking a removals company, packing up, and arranging your electricity, water, gas, phone and internet connections for your new property. Don’t forget to take meter readings before leaving your old house on moving day.

12. Completing the sale

On completion day, you will exchange keys and each party’s conveyancers will make the necessary payments.

What Are The Risks Of buying and selling a house at the same time?

When selling and buying a house at the same time, there’s a chance of the chain collapsing on either transaction. As reported in Estate Agent Today, failed transactions can waste time and cost buyers and sellers about £2,830. Longer property chains can also be slower, due to the volume of communications, various waiting times for each party involved, and the need for more negotiation.

How to Reduce the Risk Of Your Chain Breaking

Taking certain steps might reduce the chances of the chain collapsing, for example:

• Prioritise chain-free buyers, or well-qualified buyers
• Ask to see proof of a mortgage in principle
• Appoint a proactive conveyancer
• Handle communications promptly
• Gather documentation (ID, FENSA certificates, planning permission etc.)

You could also consider buyer protection insurance. For further tips and advice, read our guide explaining how to avoid a broken property chain.

Risks when buying and selling a house at the same time

When selling and buying a house at the same time, there’s a chance of the chain collapsing on either transaction. Longer property chains can also be slower, due to the volume of communications, various waiting times for each party involved, and the need for more negotiation.

Alternatives to selling and buying at the same time

You could sell your home first and rent to avoid hassle and put yourself in a better position on the property market as a chain-free buyer. Note though, you could be priced out of the housing market if you rent for an extended period. Trying to buy and sell at the same time can become a reason why your house is not selling as quickly as you like, as it complicates the process.

Alternatively, buy your new home before you sell. This is only an option if you have sufficient funds, or can secure a bridging loan – an increasingly popular option, as reported in Which?, though there are pros and cons. If you have sufficient equity, downsizing could allow you to buy an affordable property then sell when the right buyer comes along. Our downsizing guide explains more.

Sell First, Buy first, or Simultaneous? A Quick Comparison

What’s the best approach to buying and selling your home, should you attempt both transactions at once? These are some of the considerations, from taxation to:

Method	Cost	Speed	Risk
Sell first	Cost of renting, storing furniture	Can secure faster sale with no need to wait for your next home, more control over timeline	Less chance of being gazumped, more control over each transaction, risk property prices will raise
Buy first	Bridging loan interest if applicable, stamp duty second home surcharge (may be reclaimed later), two sets of council tax and utility bills	Allows you to buy faster, then take time to sell	Can be harder to prove you’re a serious buyer, higher financial risks
Buy and sell	Higher costs at once, though can be lower than two separate moves	Tied to timelines that suit all parties, their conveyancers’ speed and efficiency	Relies on success of chain’s transactions, risk of gazumping

What Extra Costs Should you Budget For?

Buying and selling means higher total costs, including stamp duty land tax (SDLT) as a buyer, and agent fees as a seller. The potential costs of buying and selling simultaneously include:

• Higher conveyancing fees
• Agency fees
• Bridging loan interest (if needed)
• Storage (if required)
• Removals
• Stamp duty
• Local searches
• Land Registry
• Mortgage arrangement fees
• Early exit fees

Read our guides for more information on property sales, from how to get your house ready for sale, to what happens if you can’t pay your mortgage.

If you have any further questions about selling and buying a house in Cobham, Hinchley Wood and Claygate, speak to our experienced team. We can help you with a broad range of property questions from getting equity release on a house to selling a house during divorce.

We know the Surrey property market well, and will be glad to help. Contact us to discuss your requirements.