House hunters go to four viewings on average before deciding to buy, new research from loan, mortgage and credit card provider Ocean Finance shows.
When asked how many times they need to visit the one property they like, more than half (60 per cent) of would-be buyers said they need to see their future homes two to three times before moving in. Over a quarter visit their chosen property only once.
A third of prospective buyers spend almost three months browsing the property market, looking at online services such as Zoopla or Rightmove, contacting estate agents and organising viewings, the study found.
However, there is a considerable share of homebuyers who make a decision fairly quickly. A quarter of those polled had made a decision in a week or less.
Over two-thirds of homebuyers know instantly or by the end of the first viewing that they want to move in, the study shows.
Gareth Shilton, spokesman for Ocean Finance, says:
“Buying a home is the biggest purchase of our lives, and small mistakes can cost a lot. Make sure you do your research, there are many useful websites that can help you to find more information about the area you are moving to, but do a couple of visits to see the property and the neighbourhood. Don’t make any snap decisions, because then you may find yourself regretting buying a property that you are not happy with.”
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