The Property DriveBuy, the geo-location property search app transforming how homes are discovered, has announced a trio of heavyweight signings – Miller Homes, St. Modwen Homes and Thakeham – marking a major step in its expansion across the UK housing market.
The news comes as new research from the platform reveals that three-quarters of UK homeowners have seen property prices rise over the past year, despite pockets of decline in some high-profile postcodes.
The Property DriveBuy takes a different approach from traditional portals by using real-time geo-location to display homes for sale as users pass them. Buyers can instantly access internal images, floorplans, and video tours of nearby properties, helping them uncover opportunities in areas they may not have otherwise considered. The app gives estate agents and housebuilders greater exposure for listings and a better chance of converting out-of-area buyers.
Its partnership with Miller Homes, St. Modwen Homes and Thakeham adds significant weight to its proposition.
FLEXIBLE APPROACH
Miller Homes, founded in 1934, operates across 11 regions of the UK and is one of the country’s largest privately owned housebuilders.
St. Modwen Homes brings more than 30 years of experience and a growing portfolio of distinctively designed family homes across England and Wales; while Thakeham, based in West Sussex, is recognised for its commitment to zero-carbon-ready homes and sustainable community building across the South East.
The three brands join The Property DriveBuy at a time when market uncertainty is encouraging both buyers and sellers to look for more flexible, tech-enabled ways to transact. The platform remains free to use for agents and developers during its launch period, with subscription fees only introduced once measurable traction in lead generation is achieved.
ANNUAL PRICE DECLINES
The app’s latest analysis of house price performance adds context to this changing landscape. Examining local authority data across the UK, The Property DriveBuy found that just 24% of areas have experienced annual price declines since last October, suggesting that the market has been more resilient than many expected. Nationally, prices are up by 2.8% year-on-year.
Regional performance varies, however. The North East has posted the strongest annual rise at 5.2%, followed by the East Midlands and Scotland, while London’s market has barely moved, recording a modest 0.8% increase.
At the local authority level, Westminster tops the table for price declines, with average values down 13.2% since last Halloween. Kensington and Chelsea follow at 11.8%, while Ceredigion in Wales ranks third, having seen a fall of 9.5%. Merthyr Tydfil, Tower Hamlets, Eastbourne, and Thanet also feature among the worst performers.
UNEVEN PERFORMANCE
Despite these isolated downturns, the broader picture remains upbeat, with most homeowners seeing prices hold steady or rise modestly over the past 12 months.
Analysts suggest that the uneven performance reflects a hyper-local market where lifestyle preferences, hybrid working, and supply constraints are having as much influence as wider economic pressures.
For buyers, these localised price dips could present opportunities. With the Autumn Budget looming and activity subdued, The Property DriveBuy believes that visibility and timing are key advantages for those actively searching.
DISCOVERING PROPERTY
Founder and Chief Executive Steve Foreman (main picture, inset) says that the company’s partnerships and research both reflect a shift toward more dynamic engagement with the housing market.
“Our goal is to reimagine the way people discover property. Whether it’s a buyer passing a new development from Miller, St. Modwen, or Thakeham, or a family searching for a bargain in an area they hadn’t considered, The Property DriveBuy puts those opportunities right in front of them – literally.”
