Explore, connect, thrive in
the expat community

Expat Life: Local Discoveries, Global Connections

Real Estate News The risks of buying an apartment in a chain sale and how to minimize them - La Nacion Propiedades

BuySellBA

Administrator
The risks of buying an apartment in a chain sale and how to minimize them - La nacion Propiedades



1775512234209.png



Source:






April 02, 2026



These are very common real estate transactions that require certain precautions: financial risk is the biggest danger.





rs=w:1280

The chain purchase of properties is a common type of transaction in the real estate marketFreepik

When selling a property, a situation known in the real estate sector as a " linked sale" can arise . This refers to a transaction that requires another to be completed. As Charlie D'Aria, director of D'Aria Propiedades, explains, a "linked sale" occurs when the closing of one transaction depends directly on another . He clarifies: "It's the typical case of someone selling their house because they need that money to buy another property ." D'Aria asserts that these transactions are very common and that a large percentage of residential sales today operate this way. "Not everyone has the capital available without first selling their previous property, which necessitates aligning the timing of both transactions," he points out.

The real estate agent warns that the main risk is a broken link in the chain, triggering a domino effect . How? “A buyer might lose out on a loan, or a last-minute paperwork issue might arise. But the most critical risk is financial . For example, someone commits to buying a property and then suddenly the sale they needed to secure the funds falls through. That breaks the chain, all subsequent transactions collapse, and those involved can end up losing deposits, time, and the house they had already chosen ,” he says. He emphasizes that, in this context, the role of the real estate broker is crucial because they are the ones who must mediate and manage the anxieties of all parties involved, something that is key in these types of transactions. “Their work helps reduce risks and save time,” he stresses.







rs=w:1280

The role of the real estate broker is of utmost importance because they are the one who has to carry out the task of mediating and managing the anxieties of all parties.



Domino effect​

According to the director of D'Aria Propiedades, the risks in these types of transactions arise because different economic realities and timelines are involved. “ Sometimes, there are three or four families involved , each with their own notary and needs. The situation becomes even more complicated when there are inherited properties involved, where you depend on the timing of probate proceedings or declarations of heirs, for example. Any administrative or judicial delay at one end inevitably hinders the rest of the transactions involved,” he maintains.

Given these possibilities, the expert asserts that, above all, "blind" commitments must be avoided. " You can't sign a purchase without clarifying that you're dependent on a prior sale . Overly optimistic deadlines should also be avoided; unforeseen events always arise in supply chains, and if you don't leave room for maneuver, the stress is overwhelming," he emphasizes.







rs=w:1280

Never proceed without a professional broker and trusted notaries having reviewed the titles of all properties in the chain.Shutterstock



On the other hand, he recommends never proceeding without a professional broker and trusted notaries having reviewed the titles of all the properties in the chain . “It's no use having your property in perfect condition if the buyer's property has a lien or a stalled probate process, because that complicates the closing for you as well,” he clarifies. He explains that for these linked sales to go smoothly, it's essential to rely on a real estate agency and a trusted notary from the very beginning . “You can't leave anything to chance,” he reiterates. “The broker's role is precisely to coordinate all the parties and monitor and audit the paperwork for all the properties in the chain, together with the notary. Experience is key here, because you have to detect in time if there's a lien or a stalled probate process at any point in the chain , because that will prevent the closing,” he says.

Finally, he points out that the key is that the contracts are aligned: if a date changes at one end, it has to change at the other. “That’s why we use ad-referendum reservations, so that the purchase is tied to the sale being finalized. We also negotiate those 15 or 20 days between closings so that no one is left in a difficult situation. Ultimately, the broker is there to provide security and ensure that everyone involved reaches the closing of each transaction,” he concludes.



www.buysellba.com
 
Back
Top