The latest Home Movers Report conducted by conveyancing tech provider Smoove has revealed that almost a fifth of home movers would actively seek a different estate agency for their next property purchase – particularly from a national brand to a more independent and local firm.
Unhappy With Existing Agents
This sentiment has been among thousands of people who have recently moved home, equalling 19% who would rather look elsewhere for their choice of agent for the next time they move home.
Whilst there has been no official word on why a majority would claim to be unhappy with their existing agency or conveyancer, many have put down costs, quality and length of time to complete the move with a national firm as the top three considerations in the moving process.
Most homeowners have stated they were satisfied with their conveyancing firm, with 61% willing to recommend the form they are with to friends and family. A third of homeowners relied on friends and family recommendations for finding solicitors, with 31% using agent referrals and 23% on recommendations from a mortgage broker.
Highlighted Reasoning
Highlighted within areas of stress for many aiming to proceed quickly on purchases were the national brand’s use of complex legal terminology and added inefficiencies with large quantities of paperwork. Conveyancers receive four queries per instruction on average, with the legal process of the transaction taking an average of 8 to 12 weeks.
This is an obvious pointer to why 9 out of 10 homeowners feel the home moving experience is a stressful exercise.
Whilst the situation can be stressful for the homeowners in being affected by the old-fashioned and analogue nature of the process, estate agents are also juggling multiple parties via phone calls and emails, whilst trying to appease all parties on schedule and helping to manage expectations.
Whilst more national high street brand have their numbers to think about, the independent estate agencies are very focused on their area and provide more personalised approaches with their clients. This is something that many homeowners and movers are requiring during a very tumultuous time in the housing market.
Local Help
When it comes to homeowners wanting to buy property in Stockport, local estate agencies are deemed more approachable for the area, with many national brands tending to focus on wider searches such as Cheshire and Manchester housing on top. This means that the focus becomes wider and home movers have to join the number of people wanting callbacks and updates.
A local estate agent Stockport has a more central focus and importance of the area you want to live within, and solid relationships with businesses and trades within the area – and are more approachable throughout the entire process.
Contact the team at Joules estate agents today for help in how to sell a house, property purchase, or seeking buying a property advice.
