[user104658]

Originally Posted by Pigeon Lady

…I’ve really always liked how the home buying system in Scotland works in that once the offer is put in and accepted, it’s legally binding …so it takes away that big stress factor of the possibility of the chain falling through/collapsing etc…

There are still ways it can collapse I believe, just not for "random reasons", there would have to be major mitigating circumstances not just a buyer/seller having a change of heart.

We're in a good position though because we have large deposit, relatively high household income and in very stable employment, and no chain "below" so we don't have to worry about selling... just the buying. Ideally if we find a property that also isn't in a chain, that massively simplifies the process (and also makes us attractive buyers to the seller, our funds are good to go, not dependent on any other buyer).

Less than one in ten chains fail in Scotland though, apparently in England it's like 25% which is insane.