Will the Government’s Homebuying Reforms Really Speed Up Property Transactions?
When people ask me why property transactions take so long, they’re often expecting a simple answer.
The reality is far more complicated.
Every day, my role is to help buyers and sellers navigate the journey from offer agreed to completion. At DOMVS, we have a dedicated Sales Progression department whose sole purpose is to keep transactions moving, identify issues early and maintain communication between buyers, sellers, solicitors, mortgage brokers and everyone else involved in the process.
As a result, I spend a lot of time seeing first-hand where delays occur, what causes sales to fall through and, perhaps most importantly, what actually helps transactions reach the finish line. That’s why I was interested to read the Government’s recently announced proposals to reform the homebuying process and reduce delays.
In principle, I think the direction of travel is absolutely the right one. The process of buying and selling property remains surprisingly fragmented. Information is often requested multiple times by different parties, documents are duplicated, and issues that could have been identified much earlier frequently emerge after a sale has already been agreed.
Anything that helps address those problems should be welcomed.
However, many of the proposals being discussed are things that good agents are already doing.
The Biggest Lesson? Preparation Matters
One of the most encouraging aspects of the reforms is the focus on upfront information. For years, the industry has been guilty of treating certain information as something to gather once a buyer has been found. In reality, the earlier any potential issues are identified, the better.
At DOMVS, we already encourage sellers to gather key information at the point of instruction. We work with them to identify matters relating to title, planning, rights of way, restrictive covenants and anything else that could potentially create a hurdle later in the process.
In my experience, surprises are one of the biggest enemies of a successful transaction, and the earlier everyone knows what they’re dealing with, the easier it is to keep momentum.
Recent analysis by Novus Strategy found that the average time between offer agreed and exchange is now 135 days. At DOMVS, our current average is 82 days.
There are many factors behind that difference, but preparation is undoubtedly one of them.
Reducing Duplication Should Be the Priority
Of all the proposals, the area that I think has the greatest potential, is reducing duplication. Too much information is still being requested multiple times by different parties throughout a transaction.
Buyers and sellers are regularly asked to provide identification documents more than once. Property information is re-entered by agents, conveyancers, lenders and surveyors. Data is often transferred manually between systems that don’t communicate with one another.
It creates frustration for consumers and inefficiencies for professionals.
If the reforms genuinely create a more connected and digital process, there is real potential to improve both speed and customer experience.
But Let’s Be Realistic About What Causes Delays
While I support every intention, I don’t think we should pretend they will solve every problem.
Some of the biggest causes of delay have very little to do with estate agents. Slow local authority searches remain a challenge in some areas. Leasehold management packs can take weeks to arrive. Mortgage underwriting can be unpredictable. Conveyancing firms are often operating under significant capacity pressures. Certain Land Registry applications can also take considerable time.
The proposed reforms may help identify property-related issues earlier, which is positive, but they won’t magically remove these wider bottlenecks.
That’s why I believe the success of these proposals depends on more than just estate agents changing how they work. The real benefit will come if conveyancers, lenders, local authorities and HM Land Registry are all moving in the same direction.
Is This Another HIPs Situation?
I’ve already heard comparisons with Home Information Packs. The comparison is understandable, but I don’t think it’s entirely fair. When HIPs were introduced, the technology simply wasn’t where it is today. Digital verification was in its infancy, and the ability to share information seamlessly between organisations was far more limited.
The opportunity now is different.
If implemented correctly, these reforms could genuinely remove duplication and streamline the process. If implemented badly, they risk becoming another layer of administration that increases costs without delivering meaningful benefits.
The difference will be whether the focus remains on simplifying transactions rather than creating additional paperwork.
Raising Standards Can Only Be Positive
One proposal I am particularly supportive of is the introduction of higher professional standards, including qualification requirements and a Code of Conduct for estate agents.
Buying or selling a home is one of the most important financial decisions most people will ever make. Consumers should be able to expect a minimum level of professionalism and expertise from the people guiding them through that process.
At DOMVS, we already support our teams in obtaining their Propertymark Level 3 qualification, so professional development is something we strongly believe in.
Whether the Government chooses to build on existing industry qualifications or introduce a new framework remains to be seen. Either way, anything that improves professionalism and strengthens the reputation of our industry is a positive step.
My Overall View of the Government’s Proposed Reforms for Homebuying
Overall, I welcome these reforms. If anything, they validate much of what we have been advocating for some time: earlier preparation, greater transparency and a more joined-up approach to property transactions. The process does need modernising, and buyers and sellers can only benefit from reducing duplication and identifying issues sooner.
What I would say, however, is that the biggest gains won’t come from introducing entirely new ideas. They will come from ensuring that best practice becomes standard practice across the industry.
Many of the measures being proposed are already helping progressive agents deliver better outcomes for their clients. The challenge now is ensuring every part of the transaction process works together in the same way. If that happens, buyers and sellers really could see a meaningful difference.
If you’re considering a move, one of the most effective ways to reduce delays is to start preparing early. Understanding your property’s value, gathering key information and choosing an agent who actively manages the process can all help create a smoother transaction.
At DOMVS, we believe preparation and proactive communication make all the difference. That’s why sellers benefit from the support of our dedicated Sales Progression team throughout the transaction process.
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