Almost four in five home movers believe the homebuying process in England and Wales requires fundamental reform, according to new research from the Open Property Data Association (OPDA).

The association has urged the government to accelerate the digital transformation of the property transaction process after research found widespread frustration among consumers over delays, poor communication and duplicated information requests.

Its Future of Homebuying Report 2026, based on responses from more than 5,000 people who have bought or sold a property within the past five years, found that 77.8% believe the current homebuying and selling system requires fundamental reform.

Despite concerns about the existing process, consumers remain optimistic about the future, with 85% saying they expect the homebuying experience to improve over the next five years.

The findings highlight persistent issues across the transaction journey. Some 43% of respondents said chasing updates and waiting for responses caused delays, while 30% identified the time taken to exchange contracts as the most challenging aspect of moving home.

The report also found that nearly two-thirds of respondents were required to provide the same information two or three times during a transaction, while 18% said they had to provide the same information four or five times.

Failed transactions remain a significant issue. More than half of respondents said they had experienced a property purchase or sale falling through after an offer had been accepted, resulting in an average delay of three months. One in 10 transactions took more than six months to complete.

SUPPORT FOR DIGITAL REFORM

The report found strong support for greater use of digital processes, including digital property packs and improved data sharing between participants in the homebuying process.

Maria Harris, chair of the Open Property Data Association, said: “This research should serve as a wake-up call. Consumers are telling us loud and clear that the current homebuying process is no longer fit for purpose.

“Despite advances in technology transforming almost every aspect of our lives, buying and selling a home remains slow, fragmented and unnecessarily stressful.

“What’s particularly striking is that people aren’t just frustrated – they know what the solution looks like. Support for digital property packs is overwhelming and confidence in sharing information digitally continues to grow.

“Consumers want a system that provides upfront information, reduces duplication and gives them greater transparency and certainty throughout the transaction.

“The industry has made significant progress in developing the standards, trust frameworks and technology needed to support a modern property market. The Data (Use and Access) Act and the government’s Smart Data ambitions provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the home moving process.

“The question is no longer whether reform is needed, but how quickly it can be delivered. Government must maintain the momentum behind digital transformation and work with industry to create a faster, more transparent and more resilient housing market that works better for everyone.”

OPDA said delays, repeated requests for information and poor communication continue to undermine confidence in the housing market and restrict mobility.

The organisation is calling for wider adoption of digital property packs, trusted data-sharing frameworks and the development of a fully digitised end-to-end homebuying process.

OPDA is working with lenders, brokers, conveyancers, estate agents, technology providers, proptech firms and government bodies to develop the standards and frameworks needed to support a more connected property market.