Keep the Group Chat Alive: The Secret to Speeding Up Your House Sale or Purchase
Most house sales don’t collapse because of one big mistake — it’s usually a series of small, preventable delays that build up over time
Buying or selling a home should feel exciting — not exhausting. But for many people, property transactions stall unnecessarily due to poor communication and delays that snowball over time.
At Avocado Property, we know how frustrating it can be to have your dream move delayed by silence in the chain. Whether you’re moving within Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Solihull, Stevenage or Swindon, there’s one common reason transactions take too long:
Everyone’s in the group chat… but no one’s replying.
Let’s break it down — and more importantly, show you how to keep things moving with the right tools, the right professionals, and the right approach.
The “Group Chat” Problem in Property Sales
If you’ve ever tried to coordinate a group of friends over WhatsApp, you already know how easily plans stall:
- One person is ultra-organised.
- Another disappears for days.
- Someone’s not even sure what the plan is.
Now imagine that group chat as a buyer, seller, solicitors, mortgage broker, surveyor, and estate agent — all trying to coordinate the most significant purchase or sale of your life.
Things can get chaotic quickly, especially when responses are delayed, and no one knows who’s chasing what. But there’s a smarter way to keep the pace — and that’s exactly what we offer at Avocado Property.
Why Property Transactions Get Stuck
Most house sales don’t collapse because of one big mistake — it’s usually a series of small, preventable delays that build up over time:
- Buyers or sellers take days to respond to document requests.
- Solicitors are waiting for missing information.
- Mortgage lenders need extra documentation or clarification.
- Surveyors flag an issue that no one addresses quickly.
- Estate agents are unavailable and you get passed pillar to post as a result…
Every one of these delays adds time — and in a competitive property market, time kills deals.
The Solution: A Connected Property Team That Actually Talks to Each Other
At Avocado Property, we believe that property transactions move fastest when everyone is on the same page — not working in silos.
That’s why our self-employed property partners don’t just act as your estate agent. They understand the group chat analogy — where progress slows down if people aren’t replying, and no one’s quite sure who’s doing what. Our partners work proactively to keep the momentum going, ensuring all parties communicate clearly and effectively at every stage.
Think of it like a well-managed group chat where everyone knows their role and responds quickly. That includes:
- ✅ You (the buyer or seller)
- ✅ The other party
- ✅ Solicitors
- ✅ Mortgage broker (via Mortgage Tribe)
- ✅ Surveyor (via Survey Network)
- ✅ Your Avocado Property agent
Our self-employed agents work tirelessly to keep connections strong, and the conversation flowing, helping to reduce or outright avoid the delays that often derail a sale. Questions get answered promptly, updates are shared efficiently, and progress keeps moving forward — so you’re never left wondering what’s happening next.
4 Ways to Speed Up Your House Sale or Purchase
Whether you're moving in Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Solihull, Stevenage or Swindon, here’s how to avoid the dreaded property delay:
1. Get Your Mortgage Agreement in Principle (AIP) Early
Before booking viewings, speak to Mortgage Tribe and get an AIP in place. This not only strengthens your offer but speeds up the legal process once your offer is accepted.
Tip: Mortgage Tribe offers access to the entire mortgage market, meaning they’ll find the right deal for your needs — fast.
2. Be Ready with Documents
Most delays come from paperwork. Have your ID, proof of address, proof of deposit, and bank statements ready to go. The faster you supply documents, the faster your team can act.
3. Use a Proactive Solicitor
A responsive solicitor makes all the difference. Avocado Property Partners only recommend conveyancers who we know will reply promptly and keep the momentum going. Choose wisely — based on the solicitor’s knowledge of your area and property type — not just the cheapest quote. Saving money short-term could cost you in long-term delays.
4. Book Your Survey Promptly
Working with Survey Network, you can arrange surveys early in the process. If you're selling, an upfront survey can give buyers confidence. If you're buying, a quick survey means you can address issues early — and avoid surprises later.
We Practice What We Preach: Why Avocado’s Group Chat Approach Works
Traditional estate agency models rely on email chains, voicemails, and inconsistent follow-ups. We’ve replaced that with real-time group chat — and it works.
Your Avocado Property Partner will set up a WhatsApp group chat with you from day one, so you know:
- Who’s doing what and when.
- You feel informed and in control.
- Partners spot hold-ups before they become problems.
Our self-employed agents and over 3,700 happy customers have seen first-hand how this modern, agile approach speeds up sales — particularly in fast-moving markets like Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, and growing hotspots like Solihull, Swindon and Stevenage.
Let’s Get You Moving Faster
If you’re buying or selling in:
- Berkshire
- Hampshire
- Surrey
- Solihull
- Stevenage
- Swindon
…then Avocado Property is the estate agent you want by your side.
Why? Because we don’t just list your property and hope for the best. We take a hands-on, modern, and communication-led approach that’s designed to move things forward — not hold them back.
Here’s what you get when you work with us:
Dedicated Local Experts
You’ll have a named partner who lives and breathes your local market. They’ll be with you from start to finish — advising, negotiating, chasing, and celebrating when the keys are handed over.
Clear Communication from Day One
We don’t ghost you or leave you in the dark. You’ll get regular updates, honest advice, and someone who’s always on the end of the phone (or WhatsApp).
A Fully Connected Team
We work closely with trusted partners like Mortgage Tribe and Survey Network to speed up the process and prevent delays. You don’t need to chase — we’re already on it.
A Smarter Marketing Strategy
From video tours to targeted social media and premium property listings, we go beyond the usual marketing methods to get your property seen by the right people, fast.
So, if you’re ready to move — or just want to chat about how to get started — we’re here for it.
Let’s keep the group chat moving and make your next move your best one yet.
Moving with Avocado Property? You're in Good Company
When you choose an Avocado Property Partner, you’re not just getting an estate agent — you’re joining a growing community of movers who value clear communication, modern methods, and results that speak for themselves.
Here’s where we stand as of April 2025:
1,050+ Five-Star Google Reviews
People don’t just move with us — they recommend us. Our group-wide reviews reflect a consistent, high-quality service that puts clients first.
81% Completion Rate
That’s a huge jump above the national average of 58%, and it’s no accident. Our proactive, connected approach helps keep transactions on track and moving forward.
3,570+ People Moved
Thousands of buyers and sellers have successfully made their move with Avocado Property — from Berkshire and Hampshire to Surrey, Solihull, Stevenage, and Swindon.
33 Local Avocado Partners
With a growing network of trusted local experts, you’ll always have a dedicated professional by your side who knows your market inside and out.
Let’s Talk About the Biggest Complaint in the Industry: Communication
It’s no secret that communication continues to be one of the biggest frustrations buyers and sellers face when working with estate agents — and the latest industry reports make it clear this isn’t improving fast enough.
According to The Property Ombudsman, nearly 45,000 consumer enquiries were made in 2022 alone. More than 5,500 of those complaints were related specifically to estate agency services — with poor communication sitting right at the top of the list.
And if we look at more recent insights from 2024 and early 2025, the problem appears to be growing:
- The Property Redress Scheme reported a 20% year-on-year increase in complaints in 2024.
- Over 70% of those complaints came from sellers, and compensation payouts rose by 28%, totalling £1.68 million.
- Only 37% of Brits say they trust estate agents, with younger sellers (aged 18–34) being the most sceptical about how agents handle valuations and communication.
- Poor communication and slow transaction times were consistently flagged as key blockers to a smooth move. (Source: Property Industry Eye, Legal Eye)
There’s even a phrase now being used within the industry — coined off the back of thousands of Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys — called “The Chasm of Silence and Despair.” It refers to the middle part of the selling journey: when you’ve listed your home, the initial buzz has died down, and suddenly... communication drops off. You need your estate agent the most — and that’s when many sellers feel completely abandoned.
The Industry Knows There’s a Problem – and It’s in the Inbox
It’s not just customers saying it — the industry is finally admitting that communication is a major issue. In the recent Voice of the Agent report, Simon Leadbetter, Founder of Unchained, summed it up perfectly:
"The middle of the sales process has become the black hole of communication – the point where vendors are most emotionally invested yet feel most ignored. It’s the single biggest opportunity for agents to build trust… and yet it’s where many disappear."
This insight was pulled from thousands of NPS surveys across the industry, and it hits hard — because it’s true. That mid-point between marketing your property and the legal bit kicking off is where the wheels often wobble. Sellers feel forgotten. Buyers start to panic. And deals start to drag.
There’s even a phrase now being used within the industry — from thousands of Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys — coined as “The Chasm of Silence and Despair” by Simon Leadbetter. It refers to the middle part of the selling journey: when you’ve listed your home, the initial buzz has died down, and suddenly... communication drops off. You need your estate agent the most — and that’s when many sellers feel completely abandoned.— and our self-employed estate agents here at Avocado Property are doing everything possible to make sure clients never end up stuck in it.
Instead, they step up communication when other agents tend to go quiet. Chase progress, pre-empt issues, and give you the updates you need — not just when you ask, but before you even think to.
Because in a world where trust is low, inboxes are full, and response times are slow — communication is Avocado’s competitive edge.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seller looking to move quickly, or a landlord juggling multiple properties, we’re here to make it happen — fast, smoothly, and with minimal stress.
📱 Let’s get your move into motion. Contact your local Avocado Property expert today.
We’ve got the chat set up, and we’re already replying.