It would appear that along with queuing, weather-watching and tea-drinking, we Brits now have a new obsession – ‘property ghosting’...
Whether it’s lusting after properties way out of our price range or pining over elegantly decorated rooms, it seems there is a growing trend for searching out home online with no intent to buy – a practice estate agents have dubbed ghosting.
In response, commercial estate agents Savoystewart.co.uk surveyed 1,614 property-savvy Brits about their house browsing habits and 32 industry experts from leading estate agents to gain further insight.
It was found that a staggering 96% of Brits admitted to looking at properties despite having no intention of moving or buying.
Unsurprisingly, online house hunting was revealed to be the most popular, with ALL participants stating this was their first port of call (100%). Additionally, 10% also confessed to attending open houses, and 8% went to in-person viewings for properties they did not intend to buy.
Mortgage Brokers, Mesa commented that: Whilst viewers are tempted to look at properties online, they are still showing an interest in the property market. The fact they are searching for us, reveals that they might not be fully happy where they are, even if they don't know their next move. By working with clients financially, we can help them invest with the guidance they need.
However, it would seem the agents are wising up and urging others to watch out for the tell-tale signs.
- Viewers don’t want to give out multiple contact points, e.g. mobile, home, office number or email address.
- They don’t know what they’re looking for when asked qualifying questions, e.g. budget, likes/dislikes, building preference, and must-have features.
- They get offended when asked personal questions, e.g. are you a working professional or a student.
When asked the main motivation behind property viewing, 76% candidly confessed to simply ‘being nosey/having a look around’. With a further 36% stating they browse property listings to ‘look for interior inspiration’.
Other notable motivations included the following:
‘Considering purchasing property nearby’ (20%), ‘Window-shopping’ (17%), ‘Making sure you are buying the right property’ (16%) and finally ‘A hobby/something to do’ at 12%.
Interestingly, nearly half of Brits confessed to actively looking for homes that were ‘out of price range with high spec and desirable features’ (48%). The most popular features include a swimming pool, a home gym and having previously been owned by a celebrity.
