Consumers are overwhelmingly backing digital property packs and wider reform of the home buying and selling process according to latest research published following the Government’s Home Buying and Selling Roadmap.
The Open Property Data Association (OPDA), which surveyed more than 5,000 recent home movers, found that 86% believe digital property packs are a good idea when buying or selling a home, up from 82% a year ago.
Confidence in sharing key property information digitally has also increased, with 87% now supporting the use of digital property packs, compared with 76% in 2025.
The findings come after ministers set out plans to modernise the transaction process through measures including upfront property information, earlier legally binding agreements and greater use of digital technology to reduce delays and failed transactions.
BIGGEST DIFFERENCE
When asked what single change would make the biggest difference to the home moving process, 40% of respondents identified greater digitalisation, ahead of faster processes and improved communication.
Despite growing confidence in technology, 78% of those surveyed believe the home buying and selling process still requires fundamental reform, although 86% expect it to improve over the next five years.
Maria Harris (main picture, inset), Chair of the Open Property Data Association, says: “The Government’s Home Buying and Selling Roadmap sends a clear signal that the future of property transactions must be digital, transparent and consumer focused.
“What is particularly encouraging is that consumers are already ahead of the curve. Our research shows overwhelming support for digital property packs and a clear appetite for the modernisation of the home buying and selling process. People want access to reliable information upfront, greater certainty and fewer surprises during a transaction.
“Consumers should not settle for a system that leaves them waiting for critical information until weeks or months into the process. They deserve digital property packs, early conveyancer instruction, and access to the information they need from the outset.
“The Government has set the direction, and consumers are fully behind these plans. Now we must work together as an industry to make that vision a reality.”
STRONG POSITION
Harris says the industry was now in a much stronger position than during the era of Home Information Packs.
She adds: “Home Information Packs were introduced before the technology, data standards and industry infrastructure existed to make them truly effective. Today, the situation is completely different. Smart data, open standards and secure digital sharing mean information can be provided accurately, consistently and in ways that genuinely improve outcomes for buyers and sellers.”
OPDA said organisations using its open property data standards have already reduced the time between mortgage offer, purchase agreed and exchange of contracts to around 15 days, demonstrating how digital property information could help deliver the Government’s ambition for a faster, more transparent home buying process.
