Most recent home movers support the use of digital property packs and believe the home buying and selling process requires significant reform, according to new research from the Open Property Data Association (OPDA).
The OPDA’s Future of Homebuying Report 2026, based on research involving more than 5,000 recent home movers, found strong backing for greater digitalisation of the property transaction process, as the government moves forward with plans to modernise home buying and selling.
The findings come after the publication of the government’s Home Buying and Selling Roadmap last month, which sets out proposals including the introduction of new sales packs, earlier binding agreements and wider use of digital tools to improve the home moving process.
According to the research, 86% of recent homebuyers believe using a digital property pack when buying or selling a home is a good idea, up from 82% in 2025. Confidence in sharing key documents through digital property packs has also increased, rising from 76% last year to 87%.
When respondents were asked which single change would have the greatest impact on improving the home buying process, 40% identified greater digitalisation. Faster transactions and improved communication were also highlighted, although they ranked behind digital transformation.
While 65% of respondents believe the current home moving process is fit for the digital age, 78% also said the system still requires fundamental reform. Looking ahead, 86% said they expect the buying and selling process to improve over the next five years.
Maria Harris, chair of the OPDA, said: “The government’s Home Buying and Selling Roadmap sends a clear signal that the future of property transactions must be digital, transparent and consumer focused.
“What is particularly encouraging is that consumers are already ahead of the curve. Our research shows overwhelming support for digital property packs and a clear appetite for the modernisation of the home buying and selling process. People want access to reliable information upfront, greater certainty and fewer surprises during a transaction.
“Consumers should not settle for a system that leaves them waiting for critical information until weeks or months into the process. They deserve digital property packs, early conveyancer instruction, and access to the information they need from the outset.
“The government has set the direction, and consumers are fully behind these plans. Now we must work together as an industry to make that vision a reality.”
LESSONS FROM HOME INFORMATION PACKS
The OPDA said making key property information available at the start of a transaction could help buyers make earlier informed decisions, reduce the risk of sales falling through, accelerate conveyancing and improve confidence throughout the process.
Addressing comparisons with the former Home Information Packs, Harris said: “Home Information Packs were introduced before the technology, data standards and industry infrastructure existed to make them truly effective.
“Today, the situation is completely different. Smart data, open standards and secure digital sharing mean information can be provided accurately, consistently and in ways that genuinely improve outcomes for buyers and sellers.”
The OPDA said it continues to work with organisations across the property, mortgage and conveyancing sectors to develop open property data standards that support digital property packs.
According to the organisation, the standards and associated open-source tools have been developed collaboratively across the industry. It said firms adopting the standards have reduced the time between mortgage offer, purchase acceptance and exchange of contracts to within 15 days.
The association believes these standards will provide the technical foundations needed to support the government’s planned reforms.
