Our latest deep dive into consumer perceptions towards buying and selling homes has landed – and it gives us some interesting insights into what consumers really expect from agents.
Here, we delve into the data of our Consumer Tracker to explain market mood as we move beyond the first quarter of 2026.
It goes without saying that the property market is constantly evolving and understanding how buyers and sellers feel about the process is essential if we want to improve it.
Our latest research¹, conducted in February 2026 with 350 UK consumers who have recent experience of property transactions, offers some valuable insight into how attitudes are changing, particularly around auctions, technology and trust.
One of the clearest takeaways is that the market remains active but cautious. Over a quarter of respondents have sold a residential property in the past three years, while more than a third are currently considering selling.
At the same time, the number of recent buyers has dipped slightly compared with previous research waves. That suggests people are still moving, but they’re doing so more carefully and taking longer to make decisions.
Selling is not always a quick process. Nearly three in 10 respondents told us it took more than six months to sell their property. That’s a significant amount of time for anyone navigating a move and it highlights why speed and certainty are becoming increasingly important for both buyers and sellers.
Trust is another area that stood out in the research.
Just over half of respondents say they trust Estate Agents, which is encouraging, but there’s clearly still room for improvement.
When people choose an Estate Agent, reputation is the biggest factor by far, followed by local knowledge, marketing ability and cost.
It reinforces something we’ve always believed – that transparency, professionalism and clear communication are what build long-term trust with customers.
It’s also interesting to see how, just as technology is evolving the marketplace, it is also shaping the attitudes of consumers towards technology.
Around 60% of people considering buying or selling are now open to AI-powered tools being used during the process – and almost half say they’re comfortable with it. Many of these see benefits in terms of reducing human error, improving efficiency and increasing transparency.
But here is the contradiction. The message from consumers is clear: technology must be used responsibly.
People want reassurance around data security, and they want to know when AI is being used. In fact, 65% of respondents believe Estate Agents should declare the use of AI in property transactions. Transparency will be critical as the industry continues to innovate and evolve.
Auctions remain an area where awareness continues to strengthen amongst consumers. 97% of of respondents (75%) say they have heard of traditional property auctions, with awareness of the Modern Method of Auction now reaching similar levels, with 76% having heard of this method of sale.
Speed and transparency piqued the interest of consumers, with some of their responses highlighting this directly when asked what would make them consider using MMoA.
“Because buying and selling a property in a more traditional way [Private Treaty]] takes such a long time and is a drawn-out process with a chain that can collapse at any moment.” Female respondent, 45-54-years-old
“It sounds like a good idea; the transaction would take place a lot more quickly than a traditional sale.” Female respondent, 55 -64-years-old.
“I think if selling it is more likely to be successful and if purchasing it gives more time to scrutinise documentation, and/or secure a mortgage so less likely to fail.” Female respondent, 65+ years.
As agents continue to introduce digital processes and fixed timelines into the transaction journey, the Modern Method of Auction is increasingly a key part of the mix buyers and sellers encounter when exploring how to move home.
Similarly, the appetite for greater confidence in the transaction process is also reflected in attitudes towards Premium Conveyancing.
Around 61% of consumers say they would consider this enhanced conveyancing option when selling, indicating strong interest in approaches that can reduce delays and fall-through risk.
Offered within our movebutler solution, Premium Conveyancing is designed to support faster, smoother and more successful Private Treaty sales by ensuring properties are exchange-ready earlier in the process. Drawing on the same principles that have underpinned our MMoA transaction, the approach focuses on gathering legal information upfront and addressing standard enquiries earlier, giving agents and their clients greater confidence and control as a sale progresses.
Our research highlights a market that is embracing change. Buyers and sellers are open to new technology and alternative methods of sale, but they still want transparency, trust and simplicity at the heart of the process.
Ben Ridgway, Co-Founder at iamproperty said of the latest research: “For me, the key takeaway is that buyers and sellers are looking for better ways to move. Whether it’s auction, Premium Conveyancing or other improvements to the process, the common thread is speed, security and transparency. People want transactions that progress smoothly, with fewer delays and fewer surprises along the way.
“What our research shows is that consumers are increasingly open to approaches that deliver those outcomes. They might not think about the technology or processes behind the scenes, but they recognise the value of clearer timelines, greater transparency and more confidence that a sale will reach completion.
“That’s why solutions that bring legal information together earlier in the process, or create more structure around the transaction, are gaining traction. If the industry can continue to focus on reducing friction and improving certainty, we’ll build a market that works better for buyers, sellers, Estate Agents and the wider property sector.”
¹Wave 5 February 2026 Consumer Auction Tracker: Survey of 350 respondents UK respondents in 2026 via a 10-minute online survey.
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