Over half (55%) of homebuyers said they found their home through an ‘old-fashioned’ method, like an estate agent, their local paper or an auction.
One in five first-time buyers found their property through an estate agent, and 10% after seeing a for sale sign outside, with 9% finding their properties through word of mouth.
A small but significant number, or 6% found their property in their local paper, 3% found their property by approaching the owner directly, or by leafleting the area, and just 1% bought their property at a property auction.
Just under half, at 45%, found their property online – somewhere like Rightmove – or through an electronic alert, such as a notification from an app.
David Blake, of Which? Mortgage Advisers said: “Despite the rise in online property portals, it seems many of us are still traditionalists when it comes to finding a property.”
“While apps and websites are a good place to start your property search, we found the most successful searches also include speaking to a local expert to get a real feel for the house and the area.”
