"Buying a home is one of the most significant purchases consumers ever make and one of the most stressful life experiences"
According to Which? younger people consider it more of a concern than social care for older people (46%) or energy prices (34%). For adults of all ages, three in 10 (28%) cite home buying and selling as a top three priority for the next Government, rising to four in 10 (42%) for those living in London.
As further Which? research has shown that three in 10 (28%) house purchases fall through, leading to an average loss to the potential buyer of £2,200, it is critical that the next Government commit to action. Our study also found it can take an average of four to five months to complete a property purchase.
As part of its ‘Consumer Agenda for Government’, Which? has called on the next Government to conduct a thorough review of the home-buying process to make the system easier, particularly for buyers. The review must examine the role played by industry professionals such as estate agents and conveyancers.
All political parties should set out in their manifestos how they intend to improve the home-buying process for consumers. They should commit to ensuring that estate agents deliver a better service for both home-buyers and sellers, and that the conveyancing process is simplified.
Alex Neill, Which? Managing Director of Home Products and Services, said: “Buying a home is one of the most significant purchases consumers ever make and one of the most stressful life experiences.
It takes people far too long to buy property and home-buyers are losing out on substantial amounts of money due to flaws in the system. The next Government must fix the outdated home-buying process."
