The traditional autumn uplift in housing market activity could take longer to materialise this year as parents struggle to find time for property searches and viewings during the new school term.
Research from House Buyer Bureau found 88% of homebuyers with school-aged children expect to be less inclined to book or attend property viewings during the first few weeks of term.
The survey also found 86% expect to spend less time actively searching for property because of school-related commitments.
More significantly for agents hoping for a September rebound, three quarters of respondents expect it to take more than a month before they can give their property search their full attention again.
VIEWINGS SQUEEZED
Childcare arrangements were identified as the biggest obstacle by 24% of parents, followed by school drop-offs and collections at 22%.
After-school clubs and activities were cited by 13%, while returning to work following the summer holidays, buying school essentials and re-establishing family routines each accounted for 11%.
The available viewing window is also likely to narrow. Some 37% said school hours would be the easiest time to view properties, followed by weekends at 35% and evenings at 20%.
Four in five respondents would consider delaying a viewing because of school commitments.
This could increase the importance of digital marketing during September, with 79% expecting to rely more heavily on online listings, virtual tours or video viewings when attending properties in person becomes more difficult.
TRANSACTIONS COULD SLOW
The disruption may also extend to buyers already progressing transactions.
Some 92% expect school-related commitments to slow their purchase by making it harder to deal with calls, paperwork, surveys and mortgage appointments.
Chris Hodgkinson (main picture, inset), Managing Director of House Buyer Bureau, says: “September traditionally marks the point at which the property market starts to find its feet again following the summer holidays, but for parents, the return to school can leave very little time for searching for a home, attending viewings or progressing a purchase.
“What really stands out is that this may not be a short-lived blip. Three quarters of parents believe it could take more than a month before they can give their property search their full attention again, potentially delaying the usual autumn uplift in activity.
“The final run-up to Christmas is traditionally a busy one and we expect motivated buyers to return once the back-to-school disruption has subsided. But sellers shouldn’t necessarily expect that activity to materialise immediately and, for those who need to sell quickly, a few quieter weeks can make a considerable difference.”
