"People want access to reliable information upfront, greater certainty and fewer surprises during a transaction."
- Maria Harris - OPDA
New research from the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) has revealed public support for digital property packs and backing for fundamental reform of the home buying and selling process.
The OPDA's Future of Homebuying Report 2026, based on research from over 5,000 recent home movers, found that consumers are ready to embrace digital solutions to tackle the delays, uncertainty and frustration that can affect the home-buying and selling process.
The government published its Home Buying and Selling Roadmap last month, outlining its vision for the future of the property market. Among the reforms planned are new sales packs to ensure buyers have the information they need upfront, earlier binding agreements, and digital tools.
The OPDA found 86% of recent homebuyers believe using a digital property pack is a good idea when buying or selling a property, up from 82% in 2025. Meanwhile, confidence in sharing key documents through a digital property pack has risen from 76% last year to 87% today.
When asked what single change would have the biggest impact on improving the home-buying process, digitalisation emerged as the clear winner, chosen by 40% of respondents. Faster processes and better communication ranked behind digital transformation as priorities for reform.
Despite 65% of consumers saying they believe the home moving process is fit for the digital age, 78% say the system still requires fundamental reform. However, 86% of respondents are confident that the home buying and selling process will improve over the next five years.
Maria Harris, chair of the OPDA, said: "The government's Home Buying and Selling Roadmap sends a clear signal that the future of property transactions must be digital, transparent and consumer focused.
"What is particularly encouraging is that consumers are already ahead of the curve. Our research shows overwhelming support for digital property packs and a clear appetite for the modernisation of the home buying and selling process. People want access to reliable information upfront, greater certainty and fewer surprises during a transaction.
"Consumers should not settle for a system that leaves them waiting for critical information until weeks or months into the process. They deserve digital property packs, early conveyancer instruction and access to the information they need from the outset.
"The government has set the direction, and consumers are fully behind these plans. Now we must work together as an industry to make that vision a reality."
Maria added: "Home Information Packs were introduced before the technology, data standards, and industry infrastructure existed to make them truly effective. Today, the situation is completely different. Smart data, open standards and secure digital sharing mean information can be provided accurately, consistently and in ways that genuinely improve outcomes for buyers and sellers."
