Sheffield is a chain-free property hotspot where buyers can avoid market backlogs – and here’s why

The principle sounds straightforward, and often involves a buyer purchasing from someone who is also buying from another seller, but they pose the risk of delays or, in the worst cases, transactions falling through completely.

So it is unsurprising that demand is high for properties listed for sale that are free from any chain, especially in the current conditions where the stamp duty holiday has put a deadline on making the biggest possible tax saving – and in Sheffield these homes are some of the most sought-after in the country.

Estate and lettings agent Barrows and Forrester has crunched the numbers and found that 64 per cent of all chain-free homes listed for sale in Sheffield were either under offer or had already been sold subject to contract.

In total, 44 per cent of homes on the market in Sheffield were chain-free, the study found – higher than the national average of 36 per cent.

Manchester had the most chain-free properties, at 48 per cent, while Glasgow came bottom of the list as only seven per cent of homes listed there were free from a chain.

Meanwhile Plymouth had the highest level of homebuyer demand for such properties, with 66 per cent of all chain-free homes listed for sale in the city already having been sold subject to contract.

James Forrester, managing director of Barrows and Forrester, said: “A chain-free transaction has always been the holy grail of home selling and there’s nothing worse than having your life plans put on hold due to a transaction taking place further up or down the chain.

“However, with the current stamp duty holiday bringing huge delays as buyers flood the market, the time it’s taking to transact has grown considerably and so a chain-free property is more desirable than ever.

“Our research shows the chance of finding one differ drastically depending on which city you are house hunting, and if you do find one, demand is high so it’s best to act quickly if you want to secure it.”

The research examined 25 UK cities and used data from Zoopla.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.