Buyers and sellers regret lack of information on property purchase

Almost three quarters of people who have recently bought or sold a home wish they had known more about the property or its location before making or accepting an offer, research suggests.

The findings, published in Landmark Information Group’s new independent cross-market research report, Property Transaction Reform: What the Market Wants Next, exposes the information gaps, uncertainty and inefficiencies affecting the residential property transaction process.

Drawing on the experiences of 500 home movers, who have bought or sold a home in the past 18 month and 250 property professionals spanning estate agents, conveyancers and mortgage lenders, the report highlights the challenges facing consumers and businesses alike, as the industry prepares for the Government’s home buying and selling reforms.

The challenges facing home movers extend beyond the point of offer. More than two-thirds (67%) experienced some or significant uncertainty or delays after an offer had been accepted.

Agents have an important opportunity to shape how a transaction progresses from the very beginning.

Among those who experienced uncertainty or delays, more than half (52%) said this increased their stress levels, 46% found it harder to plan their moving date, and a third (33%) reported additional costs or an impact on their budgeting.

As a result, there is considerable appetite among consumers for a more transparent and certain process. Almost all respondents (95%) agreed that having key property information available at the point of listing would make moving less stressful, while 92% said knowing their estate agent, conveyancer and lender were working from the same information would help them feel more informed, confident and in control.

The consequences of this uncertainty and disconnected transactions are being felt across the property industry. Professionals estimate spending an average of 34% of their working day chasing stakeholders or responding to requests for updates, while 74% agree that rising transaction fall-through rates are having a significant impact on business performance.

Calls for upfront information

When asked what could improve productivity and business success, 72% identified at least one measure relating to upfront information and data readiness, while 67% selected improvements to visibility and communication.

This call for more coordinated action comes as the property industry prepares to implement significant changes under the Government’s Home Buying and Selling Reform roadmap, published in June 2026.

Reform is overdue

More than four in five property professionals (81%) agree meaningful reform is long overdue, with 71% anticipating significant or moderate operational change from earlier buyer and seller commitments, and 67% from standardised upfront property information. However, only 68% believe there is sufficient clarity for organisations to start considering the changes required, while 64% feel the roadmap is being developed with sufficient collaboration across the sector.

For estate agents, transaction length is now the most frequently cited frustration, selected by 41% of respondents, up from 32% in 2025. Frustration with poor communication between transaction stakeholders has also risen from 19% to 36% over the same period, highlighting the pressure that disconnected processes continue to place on the sector.

Too often, essential information is still being gathered after a buyer has made an offer.”

Ben Robinson, Managing Director of Landmark Estate Agency Services, says: “Estate agents have an important opportunity to shape how a transaction progresses from the very beginning. Too often, essential information is still being gathered after a buyer has made an offer, leaving agents managing expectations and resolving problems that could have been identified much earlier.

“Making transaction readiness part of the instruction process would give buyers more relevant information to make confident decisions, while providing conveyancers and lenders with a stronger starting point. Earlier preparation can help reduce avoidable friction later in the process and allow agents to spend more time progressing transactions.”