Time from Sale Agreed to Close

Just wondering could I take a straw poll from those who put 3-bed semis on the market in the past 6/12 months and get a feel for time to market to sale agreed to close.

Building a house in Cork (just started) and will be finished in 12 months. Big Q is when to put the family home in Dundrum up for sale. Obviously every sale is specific to its location, quality etc. but just wondering how many people went sale agreed on a 3 or 4 bed family home in a Dublin suburb and to get a poll of time 'in chain'. It's so far away for us, we can actually live out a 'chain' situtation as long as it all comes good in Feb of next year - bit of a tightrope though

Do we put it on the market now, looking for a long close, or wait until Jul/Aug and hope that it take 1-2 months to sell, 2 months to close + time for buyer to sell (if they are) = Feb 2009 .. who knows is the actual answer I know, but just wondering whats others experience was of the dreaded 'chain' in the past 6/12 months

Tx in advance for you two-cents worth ...

I'm afraid its length of string!

I just went sale agreed for the fourth time on a property which has been on the market since September 2006. Equally, I've sale agreed and closed on "average" 3 bed semis in 6-8 weeks in recent times.

My advice? Put the property on the market now. If you get any bidders, very strongly consider the possibility of selling and closing a.s.a.p. , taking the money and renting. Not ideal I know, but at least gives you a good chance of not being in a panic situation next February./

mf

Hi there,

I am actively looking in the area and am not in a chain. If you were interested in talking about a sale to me, pm me.
I would be happy to wait til next Feburary, subject to contract agreement about date of closure and reasonable penalties for delays.
Obviously prices are falling, so if you are realistic about where prices will be in 2009, then we could talk.
Save Ea fees, of at least €10K. Cannot argue with that.

So the benefits:
You are sure you have a sale
No EA
No viewings to be arranged
Easier to plan departure date from property.

If you are not interested in this, best of luck trying to sell in this market.