Homebuyers in North West are affected by delays, miscommunication and a lack of transparency in the property transaction process, according to a major new report from the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) – The Future of Homebuying: Consumer Expectations and the Path to Digital Transformation.

New research from OPDA reveals that:

  • Those in the North West are more likely to be first time buyers 40% compared to 38% nationally
  • Those in the North West more likely than those nationally to rate the stress of the process as 10 on a scale of 1-10 where 10 is most stressful
  • Buyers in the North West found chasing for updates to be the most challenging part of the property transaction process
  • 87% of those in the North West were asked to provide the same information more than once
  • North West buyers and sellers were most likely to blame the conveyancer for delays

These local findings are part of a national survey of more than 5,300 recent homebuyers and sellers, highlighting a broken homebuying system — one that relies on outdated processes, fragmented communication and repetitive paperwork. The report also reveals overwhelming public support for digital solutions, including the rollout of digital property packs that could make buying and selling faster, more secure and less stressful.

Key national findings include:

  • 40.6% of respondents cited poor communication between stakeholders as the most challenging part of buying or selling a home, while 39.5% reported needing to chase for updates.
  • 62.3% were asked to provide the same documents multiple times, leading to confusion, stress and delays.
  • Almost half (45.9%) experienced delays of 3–6 months to exchange contracts, despite expecting it to take just 1–2 months.
  • 82.2% responded positively to the concept of a digital property pack, and 76.7% said they would use such technology to securely share documents and data.
  • Consumers ranked data security (33.1%) and ease of use (12.4%) as top priorities for digital tools.
  • A quarter (25.5%) believe the government should lead the charge on digital reform.

The report outlines a clear path forward, calling for mandatory digital standards, a government-backed trust framework and collaborative reform from industry and technology providers. 

“People across the UK are telling us the current homebuying process doesn’t work — and the North West is no exception,” says Maria Harris, Chair of OPDA. “It’s fragmented, outdated and often deeply frustrating. But the good news is that consumers are ready for change. They want digital tools that give them control, speed up transactions and reduce stress. Now it’s time for the industry and government to act.” 

The report sets out detailed recommendations for policymakers, estate agents, conveyancers, mortgage lenders, technology providers, and consumers — including the adoption of interoperable digital platforms, secure data-sharing protocols and public education campaigns to build trust in digital solutions.

Download the full report here: https://openpropdata.org.uk/report/.