In its Future of Homebuying report, the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) found that Londoners rated their moving experience a 7.47 out of 10 for being stress-free, while other respondents rated it 7.3 on average.
East Anglians were found to have the worst experience, rating it an average of 6.9 for how stress-free moving home was.
Phil Spencer, TV property expert and founder of Move iQ, said that while it seemed surprising that homemovers in a fast-paced, high-pressure city like London would have a less stressful experience, it made sense as the capital’s property market was “highly active, and with more transactions happening, the systems and professionals involved are often more experienced and better equipped to keep things moving”.
He added: “Another key factor is certainty. Stock levels in the capital are high, and prices are flat or softening. With fewer sales falling through than in other parts of the country, there’s less of the stop-start disruption that causes so much anxiety for buyers and sellers. That momentum can make a huge difference to how people experience the process overall.”
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A process in need of reform
A notable majority – 78% – of respondents said the home moving experience needed reform.
Maria Harris, chair of the OPDA, said: “Buying or selling a home remains one of the most significant financial and emotional commitments that most of us will ever make. It should be a milestone that supports our goals and life events, yet too often, the experience falls short of expectations.”
Harris said the research showed that while experiences could vary by region, the underlying challenges across the UK were consistent.
She added: “Too many consumers are still dealing with poor communication, repeated requests for information and delays that make the process feel unnecessarily complex and frustrating.
“Encouragingly, there is clear appetite for change. People want a system that reflects how we live today – one that is faster, more transparent and better connected. The findings reinforce the urgent need for reform, and the growing role that better use of property data can play in improving the experience. By transforming how information is shared, we have a real opportunity to make home buying more efficient, more certain and far less stressful for everyone involved.”
