Cold feet are leading to more home sales falling through than surveys or mortgage issues, according to new research from LRG, but the property services group says it is “fixable” if Government reforms move forward.

Its Winter Sales Report, The Homebuyer Reboot, found the single biggest reason deals collapse is that buyers or sellers simply change their mind. When asked about their experiences with failed transactions, 34% said it came down to cold feet – almost four times as many as mortgage issues (9%) and far outstripping survey problems (3%).

Preventable failures

“In most cases, these failures are preventable,” said Neil Louth (pictured), Chief Executive Officer for The Acorn Group, part of LRG. “When a third of transactions collapse because someone changed their mind, it’s clear the system isn’t working as it should. But the good news is that this is fixable.”

The research, based on a survey of 221 buyers and sellers in England and Wales, also suggests momentum is building behind change. Some 80% backed the introduction of legally binding offers – one of the key proposals in the Government’s recent Home Buying and Selling Reform consultation, and a system “already proven to work in Scotland”.

LRG says binding offers would mean both parties are committed earlier, “reducing the window for cold feet to derail a sale”. It comes as more than 82,000 sales collapsed in Q3 2025 alone, according to the TwentyCi Property & Homemover Q3 2025 report.

If buyers know what they’re getting into early on, they’re far less likely to walk away later.”

Louth adds. “These changes could make a real difference to the thousands of families who simply want to move without the fear of it all falling apart at the last minute,

“People put their lives on hold during a transaction, and they deserve a system that gives them more certainty.”

He also highlights upfront property condition reports as another practical lever to reduce hesitation. “If buyers know what they’re getting into early on, they’re far less likely to walk away later. It’s about removing those unknowns that cause hesitation.”