Consumer organisation Which? is calling for the next government to review the role of estate agents in the ‘out-dated’ home buying and selling process.
Which? also said that all political parties should set out in their manifestos how they intend to improve the home-buying process for consumers.
In particular, said Which?, parties should commit to ensuring that estate agents deliver a better service for both home-buyers and sellers, and that the conveyancing process is simplified.
The call comes after new research by Which? found that home buying and selling ranks as one of the top three consumer concerns for half (49%) of 18- to 34-year-olds.
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 ten (28%) cite home buying and selling as a top three priority for the next government, rising to four in ten (42%) for those living in London.
Which? research last year showed that three in ten (28%) house purchases fall through, leading to an average loss to the potential buyer of £2,200, and that it typically takes four to five months to complete a property purchase.
Which? says the next government should 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 estate agents and conveyancers.
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 The next government must fix the outdated home-buying process.”
Over a year ago, then Chancellor George Osborne said he would “shortly” be calling for views on how the home buying and selling process could be improved. That call never came.
Which? has been vociferous in calling for a ban on letting agent fees but this is an indication that it could be turning its fire on sales agents.
Which? can bang on all it wants, there are so many things that can be done to make the home moving process simpler that it will take an age to implement them all. A previous government tried to speed this along by bringing in Home Information Packs, they were hated by many, and then scrapped by the tories. The biggest thing that makes the process easier is good communication, and that unfortunately is something that only good training and staff awareness can bring….not legislation.
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Charging buyers and sellers £1500 who pull out of a deal would stop 99% of stress for buyers and sellers…also a hip is set up independantly and the vendor and buyer share cost to make it impartial. So cant pull out on condition of house as know before waste time negotiating…
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In our experience the most time consuming part of a home purchase is now the arrangement of the mortgage. Which should do more research and get it right before it starts throwing off hand generalisations around about estate agents.
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Strange then that making an appointment for your mortgage advisor appears to be so difficult.
It takes so long so lets ignore it and leave it to someone else…..
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Before, yet again, Which? climbs onto its agency-bashing bandwagon, Mr Neill should go to work in agency, conveyancing practice, and mortgage broker branches for a few days each. Then he might just possibly begin to understand the myriad complications and real issues that affect the home buying process. I’m sure PIE could find firms willing to host him.
Oh, hang on. That wouldn’t fit the agenda, would it.
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Whil eWhich? support purplebeicks they are making it harder for everyone..how can we invest in anything while they support the no profit model.
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‘The call comes after new research by Which? found that home buying and selling ranks as one of the top three consumer concerns for half (49%) of 18- to 34-year-olds.’
Would Which? please tell us exactly what the stated concerns are of this particular group of “consumers”?
My guess would be “affordability”. What do they expect the Government to do in relation to the role of our industry in fixing that?
Self-serving eejits.
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Ah good, the bash the estate agent brigade are out again. Brilliant!
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Targeting 18- to 34-year-olds in a survey that means nothing but at least bashes estate agents for column inches?
The story links to a first time buyer guide that then links to Which’s Mortgage Advice (with a fee of £499 no less)
Which….free independent advice from a consumer think tank or a platform for flogging financial services?
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Ahhh… wardy – EYEs own answer to Halley’s Comet!
Doesn’t put in a show often – but when he does it’s pretty spectacular!!
;o)
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This has to be one of the best articles that Which? have done at exposing their own short commings. They haven’t a clue, it is not estate agency that causes the problem as posted above.
1 Star.
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I do recall a certain Which magazine recommending (1988) that Eagle Star was the best buy in endowments because they were the cheapest. Perhaps we should all go on a Which hunt for the truth.
Sorry about remembering that far back.
They ended up being the endowment with the biggest shortfall, hardly suprising as nack all was being invested.
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