Alex Atkinson, at Linley and Simpson estate agents, said Government is currently considering changing the rules – a move he would welcome. “I just had a flat sale fall though because the buyer said they had found somewhere else six weeks after their offer had been accepted and two weeks before we were due to complete.”

So, what can be done to reduce the risks of a deal falling through?

Get your mortgage agreed first

It’s worth speaking to a mortgage lender or broker before you start looking for a property. Purchases can fall through due to problems with the buyer finding a suitable mortgage. If you have been formally offered a mortgage in writing and have sorted out funding for a deposit, you’ll be more attractive to the seller. You will also need to instruct the mortgage company to do the mortgage valuation as soon as possible.

Exchange early and complete later

According to the Which? research the most common reason for a sale falling through is the seller changed their mind and pulled out. So, if you’re buying its vital to keep the process moving and exchange contracts quickly. Until you exchange contracts to buy the property neither side has any legal obligation and can pull out without any financial penalty or only losing the deposit if one was made on agreeing offers.

Jackie Mundy, of Chaffers estate agency, said: “Keep it moving, so it can’t fall through. If you get to exchange contracts early, you can complete later. It’s best to get it legally bound early on.”

It’s only when buyer and seller sign identical contracts and they are formally exchanged by the solicitors that the deal become legally binding. It’s very rare for anyone to pull out after exchanging contracts, so it’s at this stage you can breathe a sigh of relief. If the seller isn’t in a rush to move, or needs more time to find somewhere else, extend the period between exchange and completion rather than be relaxed about the exchange date.

Choose a good, local solicitor

Because exchanging contracts means you are legally bound to buy the property, you need to check for any problems first. Instruct your solicitor to do all the relevant searches. These are enquiries to various bodies, such as local councils and the Environment Agency, to provide you with information about the property you want to purchase, such as if there are plans for a new major road nearby.

Ms Mundy said: “Choose a good solicitor, preferably not someone who works part-time. They need to be proactive and to have a good team or assistant as well. It helps if they know the area that the property is in because they will already have done searches. For example, my area (Dorset) is affected by radon gas and that’s not going to be new to a local solicitor whereas if you have a solicitor from out of the area they may say it’s dangerous and to do a test.”

Find a local surveyor

A survey will highlight if there are any major structural problems with the property, such as damp or leaking roof. Depending on the scale of the problem, the situation may be resolved by negotiating on the price to reach a compromise. For example, ask the seller to fix the fault or deduct the money it would cost to sort out from the agreed price. Don’t panic. Ask your surveyor for advice.

Act quickly

Get any paperwork sent to your solicitor as soon as possible – don’t delay. Ms Mundy said: “If your solicitor asks for something get it to them as soon as you can whether it’s a certificate of building work or a bank statement. You would be surprised how laid back some buyers are. They say they will get things sent next week but why not today?”

Get regular updates

Good communication between estate agents, solicitors, buyer and seller is one of the best ways to prevent sales collapsing.  Keep everyone informed about progress or any problem that might arise on a weekly basis. This can allay concerns that can lead to mistrust and collapse of a sale. If there is a genuine, unexpected reason for a delay sometimes the buyer just has to be patient. This can be anything from losing a loved one to severe weather.

Keep chasing but let the professionals do their job

Chase your estate agent and solicitor for regular updates but don’t get too involved in the procedure, said Mr Atkinson. “If buyer and seller agree a date to exchange contracts between themselves and don’t keep the estate agent or solicitor informed it gets people hopes up but the solicitor may be missing important paperwork and it won’t go ahead. It’s best to let them do their jobs.”

Property chains

The best position to be in as a buyer is when there is no chain, for example a first-time buyer or those who have already sold their own property and have cash in the bank and/or mortgage offer. This puts buyers in a strong position to move quickly as they don’t have to wait to sell their own property. Some buyers are prepared to get out of a chain by selling their own home before they find the next place, temporarily renting or staying with family or friends. This can significantly improve chances of securing your dream home at a good price but may increase stress-levels in the short-term as they will be moving twice.

The more buyers and sellers there are in chain, the higher the chance a sale may fall through. It’s essential to keep in regular contact to pre-empt any problems. “The longest chain I have dealt with from top to bottom was about six but colleagues have dealt with eight or nine long,” said Mr Atkinson..

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