Despite all the latest apps and websites which make searching for a property easier than ever before, more than half of us still prefer using traditional methods, new research by Which? Mortgage Advisers has revealed.
The survey of 2,000 homebuyers showed that 55% of homebuyers found their property through traditional methods like an estate agent, their local paper or an auction.
This compared to 45% of homebuyers who found their property using an online estate agent or through an electronic alert, such as a notification from an app.
Other findings revealed:
· One in five (22%) first-time buyers found their property through an estate agent.
· One in 10 (10%) found their property after seeing a for sale sign outside.
· Nearly one in ten (9%) found their property through word of mouth.
· 6% found their property in their local paper.
· 3% found their property by approaching the owner directly, or by leafleting the area.
· 1% bought their property at a property auction.
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.”
If you’re starting your property search, Which? Mortgage Advisers advises you look at the following:
Property portals – Portals like Rightmove and Zoopla are useful for making initial searches to find out what you can afford, and you can also set up alerts so that you’re notified as soon as properties go online. However, not every property being sold will be featured on every property portal, so it’s worth registering directly with estate agents, too.
Local newspapers and estate agents – Search the local newspapers and regularly visit local estate agents (go in, don’t just look in the window) to ask what’s coming onto the market.
Private sales and auctions – It’s worth driving around favourite areas to spot any private ‘for sale’ boards going up, or you can search private sales websites and adverts in newspapers and magazines such as Daltons Weekly, Loot and Hot Property. You could even consider buying at a property auction, or put letters through the doors of houses in your favourite streets to see if anyone is interested in selling.
Which? Mortgage Advisers has created a free downloadable checklist to help you during your property viewings. To download it, visit: www.which.co.uk/propertyviewingchecklist.
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