More than one in three homebuyers check in with estate agencies at least once a day when they are trying to secure their dream home, new research shows.
According to the Nottingham Building Society, 35% of homebuyers admit to contacting estate agencies either on the phone or online at least once a day.
It also found that the average homebuyer registers with three estate agent offices or online services and an extremely eager 12% have signed up with five or more.
The Nottingham’s research highlights the ongoing British obsession with house prices and home buying – around 72% of homeowners admit to regularly looking at houses for sale and prices in their area even if they are not actively planning to sell or buy.
Su Snaith, head of estate agency at The Nottingham, said: “Home buying and selling has changed in recent years as more online services have become accessible but as this research shows the one thing that does not change is people’s appetite to keep updated of changes to the market.
“The number of available properties to buy is at an all-time low and it is understandable that some people that are checking with agents every day. It underlines the importance of a strong relationship with your estate agent and is the best way to stay on top of what is a major purchase.
The Nottingham’s study shows the most common way to research the market for buyers is going online to find average prices, with 65% looking at prices on websites. This compares to 40% who register with national online estate agents.
How buyers research the housing market
| How did you research the market when you bought a house? | Percentage |
| Looked at prices via websites | 65% |
| Looked in local estate agents windows | 41% |
| Registered with national online estate agents | 40% |
| Registered with local estate agents online | 30% |
| Registered with local estate agents offices | 26% |
| Picked up details from estate agents | 25% |
