The independent study of over 2,000 vendors and house hunters across the UK has revealed that these tools are equipping buyers with the knowledge and confidence required to contact an agent and proceed with their next property move.
The consumer survey, undertaken by independent research specialists 4media Group on behalf of Zoopla, asked participants who had either been active in the property sales market in the last 18 months, or plan to move or sell in the same time period, to identify the tools they find the most helpful when undertaking searches on a property website.
Tools which offer utility price comparisons for a specific home were ranked as the second most helpful by house hunters, with 32% of respondents stating this tool aided their property search (See below). Zoopla is the only property portal to offer an estimated running costs calculator which includes approximate utility bill costs.
According to the findings, house hunters also value mortgage affordability calculators, with this tool ranking joint second place with utility price comparison tools. Overall, local house price data and insights were ranked as the most helpful tool available on property search websites, with more than two fifths of respondents (44%) referencing this. Only 27% of all consumers stated they didn’t use any tools or insights when searching for a property.
Charlie Bryant, Managing Director of Zoopla, commented: “Our range of tools help create a specific breed of buyer who has thoroughly researched and is therefore serious about their next property move. These are the types of buyers who want to move fast and can do so as they have the knowledge to feel confident in their next property purchase. These tools are therefore a key driver to delivering quality sales leads to our agents across the UK.
Tools which enable utility price comparisons simplify tasks which buyers would have previously spent hours requesting quotes for from various different suppliers. Zoopla is the only property search website to host all of these services in one place, we are the ideal one stop shop for anyone serious about property.”
Q: Please tick up to three tools from the below list that you find most helpful when undertaking your property search on a property website?
Answer:
Local house price data and insights - 44%
Mortgage affordability calculators - 32%
Utility price comparisons for a specific home - 32%
I only search for homes and don’t need any other tools or insight - 27%
An automated property valuation tool - 26%
Local school information - 18%
None of the above - 8%
Other (please specify) - 2%
