Its Future of Homebuying Report 2026 highlighted that confidence sharing key documents through a digital property pack has risen significantly from 76% in 2025 to 87% today.
The government published its Home Buying and Selling Roadmap last month, with digital property packs among the key requirements in transactions going forward.
For 77.8% of respondents, the home buying and selling process needed reform. However, 85% of respondents felt that the home buying process would improve in the next five years.
Benefits of digital property packs realised
The report showed that homemovers were ready to embrace digital property packs.
Londoners, in particular, were very in favour – as 90.1% of respondents supported the reform.
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For 79% of respondents, the main reason was to improve the speed of transactions. Closely followed for 78% of respondents were both ease of use and real-time updates.
The OPDA said this reflected a broader expectation that home moving should finally match the digital standards seen in banking, insurance and other everyday services.
Calls for more transparency
The OPDA suggested several areas for improvements in transparency across the home buying and selling chain.
It highlighted the need for improved transparency for buyers and sellers, with many entering the process unaware of transaction timelines and delays.
Digitalisation was supported by 40% of respondents as the single change that would improve home buying and selling processes.
Almost one in five respondents were asked to provide the same information 4-5 times during the selling or buying transaction.
Notably, 66% of people said they have been put off moving again as a result of the broken home buying and selling chain.
For 23.8% of those surveyed, obtaining information about the property was the biggest challenge. The major challenge outlined was chasing for updates, according to 26.8% of respondents.
The number of people who experienced a transaction fall through after an offer was accepted was 58%.
Maria Harris, chair of the OPDA, said: “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.”
The government’s proposed reforms invited initial scepticism from some, who felt the proposals were alarmingly similar to Home Information Packs (HIPs), which underwent an eventual downfall.
Harris added: “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.”
