Nearly three quarters of recent home buyers and sellers wish they had received more information about properties or locations before making or accepting offers, according to new research from Landmark Information Group.
The findings, published in the report ‘Property Transaction Reform: What the Market Wants Next’, surveyed 500 home movers who bought or sold properties in the past 18 months, alongside 250 property professionals including estate agents, conveyancers and mortgage lenders.
Post-offer delays common
More than two-thirds of respondents (67%) experienced uncertainty or delays after offers were accepted. Among those affected, 52% reported increased stress levels, 46% found it harder to plan moving dates, and 33% faced additional costs or budgeting impacts.
The research reveals strong consumer demand for transparency, with 95% agreeing that key property information available at listing would reduce stress. A further 92% said knowing their estate agent, conveyancer and lender were working from the same information would improve confidence and control.
Industry productivity impact
Property professionals estimate spending an average of 34% of their working day chasing stakeholders or responding to update requests. Additionally, 74% agree that rising transaction fall-through rates significantly impact business performance.
When asked about potential improvements, 72% of professionals identified measures relating to upfront information and data readiness, while 67% selected better visibility and communication. These concerns come as the industry prepares for government reforms outlined in the Home Buying and Selling Reform roadmap published in June 2026.
Transaction length has become the most frequently cited frustration among estate agents, selected by 41% of respondents, up from 32% in 2025. Poor communication between transaction stakeholders also rose from 19% to 36% over the same period, reflecting pressures from disconnected processes. Similar concerns about communication and transparency have emerged in recent research on letting agents’ disclosure practices.
Reform readiness questioned
While 81% of property professionals agree meaningful reform is overdue, only 68% believe there is sufficient clarity for organisations to begin implementing required changes. Similarly, 64% feel the roadmap is being developed with adequate cross-sector collaboration.
Ben Robinson, Managing Director of Landmark Estate Agency Services, said: “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.”
He added that making transaction readiness part of the instruction process would provide buyers with more relevant information for confident decisions, while giving conveyancers and lenders a stronger starting point.
The findings suggest that earlier preparation in the transaction process could reduce friction and allow agents to focus more time on progressing sales. The research highlights ongoing challenges in the UK property market, where first-time buyers continue to face affordability pressures alongside process inefficiencies. As the industry prepares for regulatory changes, the data indicates significant gaps remain between current practices and consumer expectations for transparency and efficiency.
