Consumers are ready to embrace digital solutions to tackle the delays, uncertainty and frustration that have long plagued the home buying and selling process, data from the Open Property Data Association reveals.
The OPDA’s Future of Homebuying Report, based on research from more than 5,000 recent home movers, found that 86% of recent homebuyers believe using a digital property pack is a good idea when buying or selling a property, an increase from 82% in 2025.
Meanwhile, confidence in sharing key documents through a digital property pack has risen significantly, from 76% in 2025 to 87% today.
This comes following the government’s home buying and selling roadmap last month, outlining its vision for the future of the property market.
Among the planned reforms are new sales packs to ensure buyers have the information they need upfront, earlier binding agreements, and digital tools.
The OPDA report reveals that when asked what single change would have the biggest impact on improving the home buying process, digitalisation was chosen by 40% of respondents.
Faster processes and better communication ranked behind digital transformation as priorities for reform.
Despite progress, consumers recognise that more needs to be done.
While 65% believe the home moving process is fit for the digital age, 78% say the system still requires fundamental reform.
However, there is strong optimism about the future. Some 86% of respondents are confident that the home buying and selling process will improve over the next five years.
OPDA chair Maria Harris says: “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.”
While many property professionals recall the introduction of the now defunct Home Information Packs in the 00s, Harris says the industry had learnt lessons from the past.
She adds: “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.”
