Buying and selling a home is definitely a landmark moment in life, the largest transaction we’ll ever make. And as we move into a new decade, this process is arguably more challenging than ever thanks to the fast-evolving property market. Technology is now a key factor, something no aspiring seller can afford to ignore with as many as 98% of property searches now starting online. The move to digital isn’t just about swapping your local high-street agent’s window for your laptop screen, though; it’s signalled a huge change in our expectations. Twenty years on from the launch of digital property portal Rightmove, the market for online house sales is ever more specialised with sites such as The Modern House and WowHaus both dedicated to modernist architecture, and no-frills options including Yopa and Purplebricks.
TAKING THE VIRTUAL VIEW
The biggest change of the digital era has been the sheer number of properties buyers are now able to scout. And while the Covid-19 crisis has slowed the market, it has increased the use of virtual viewings, where sellers show a walk-through of their home online to potential buyers. This means your home’s image matters more than ever. ‘Buyers still have their budget and checklist, but ultimately it’s all about the photos they see,’ says Claire Reynolds of estate agent Savills.
‘I liken the property portals to a dating site for housing,’ adds Annie Doherty, director of home-staging agency House Doctor. ‘It’s all swipe, swipe, click. If your first picture isn’t giving a great impression, it’s an opportunity lost.’
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