Do consumers understand what different methods of sale could mean for them?

Consumers rarely think about ’method of sale’ in isolation. When thinking about the key considerations for choosing a home, our latest consumer research shows unsurprisingly that factors such as location, price and the property itself come first. 

In fact: 

• 57% rank location as one of the most important factors. 

• 51% rank price as one of the most important factors.  

• 42% prioritise the size and layout of the property.  

• Just 3% rank the method of sale as an important consideration. 

Despite that, the method of sale can determine many of the things both buyers and sellers care about once a transaction is underway – including commitment, certainty, communication and how straightforward the overall process feels. And when we look at what people want from the buying and selling experience, a very clear picture emerges. 

What consumers really care about

When we asked consumers to imagine their ideal home moving experience: 

• 97% said knowing the other party is fully committed to the sale is important.  

• 93% want a simple, easy-to-understand process.  

• 91% want better communication between all parties.  

• 91% want more certainty over when their sale will complete.  

• 9 in 10 want to feel less stressed and worried throughout. 

These aren’t small preferences. They’re some of the clearest priorities in our research. 

So, while consumers might not begin their moving journey thinking about the method of sale, they are very clear about the experience they want. 

That means there’s a clear role for Estate Agents in helping consumers understand what different methods of sale could mean for their moving experience, and which may best suit their individual circumstances. 

Estate Agents have an important role in consumer choice

Most consumers are aware that different methods of sale exist, but awareness doesn’t necessarily mean understanding what each route involves in practice, or which might best suit their individual circumstances. 97% said they had heard of Traditional Auction before that day, compared with 85% for the Modern Method of Auction (MMoA) and 69% for the proposition now offered by iamproperty as Sale Ready.

That’s where the Estate Agent’s role becomes particularly important. 

Rather than beginning with a method of sale, the conversation can begin with the consumer: 

• How quickly do they need to move? 

• How important is certainty once a buyer is found? 

• Are they part of a chain? 

• How important is buyer commitment? 

• What costs do they need to understand? 

• What does each route look like from instruction through to completion? 

Once those priorities are understood, Estate Agents can explain the available options clearly, including their benefits, costs and considerations, and help consumers make an informed choice. 

For sellers, that choice could look different depending on their priorities. Private Treaty remains the most common method of sale in the UK and is likely to suit many sellers. Others may benefit from Sale Ready, which brings earlier Legal Preparation and upfront information into the Private Treaty process to help reduce delays. For sellers who place greater importance on speed, buyer commitment and defined timescales, the Modern Method of Auction (MMoA) may better suit their circumstances. 

The important thing is that consumers understand there is a choice – and what that choice could mean for them. 

Education could help close the gap

This is where greater method of sale education could make a real difference. 

It’s about helping consumers understand what the different routes mean in practice and connecting them with the outcomes they actually care about. 

Commitment. Certainty. Communication. Simplicity. Less stress. 

At iamproperty, we believe Estate Agents are central to making that choice meaningful. Giving them the right information and tools helps them have clearer conversations with clients, explain different routes without unnecessary jargon and recommend an approach based on individual circumstances. 

By offering greater choice and helping consumers understand what each route could mean for them, Estate Agents can better support the moving experience consumers say they want. 97% value commitment from the other party, 93% want a simple process, 91% want better communication, 91% want greater certainty over completion and 90% want less stress and worry.

The opportunity is to make those choices easier to understand, so consumers can make more informed decisions based on what matters most to them.