More than eight in ten prospective homebuyers say access to surveys, legal packs and chain details would influence their decision to make an offer, according to new research from LRG.
The estate agency group's latest sales report found that 41% of respondents would feel more confident making an offer if they had this information upfront. Another 41% said they would be more likely to offer sooner.
The findings come as LRG launches its own sales reports, joining other firms seeking to provide property information earlier in the buying process.
Of the 553 people who answered the survey question, 13% said upfront information would make little difference. A further 5% were unsure.
Confidence matters as much as speed
The research suggests buyers want more than simply a faster transaction. Among families looking to upsize, 48% said upfront information would encourage them to make an offer sooner. Another 36% said it would improve their confidence without necessarily speeding up their decision.
Buyers moving to a similar-sized home placed greater emphasis on reassurance. Just over half (51%) said upfront information would give them more confidence, while 30% said they would be likely to offer sooner.
The findings follow the government's announcement of homebuying reforms in June. Ministers said the proposed changes, including upfront sales packs, could cut transaction times by around four weeks and halve the number of failed sales.
However, LRG's research measures what buyers say they would do. It does not establish whether earlier information leads to faster sales or fewer fall-throughs.
Questions remain over surveys and liability
Ryan Mathews, group managing director of surveying at LRG, said earlier access to property information could help buyers make more informed decisions.
"Upfront information usually gets talked about as a way of speeding sales up, and it can help. But it also gives buyers greater confidence in the offer they are making," he said. "A survey is an important source of reassurance, helping them understand the property's condition and any issues that need attention."
Mathews said identifying potential problems earlier could reduce the risk of renegotiations later in the transaction. However, he acknowledged that seller-commissioned surveys raise questions about their scope, accuracy and use by prospective buyers.
"Where a seller commissions a report, buyers need to understand what it covers, how current it is and whether they can rely on the advice. Otherwise, people can end up paying for the same work twice."
He also stressed that mortgage valuations should not be confused with property surveys. A lender's valuation assesses a property for mortgage purposes. It does not replace a survey that examines the property's condition for the buyer.
More firms enter the upfront information market
LRG is not alone in seeking to bring property information forward in the sales process. Conveyancing firm YouConvey recently launched free upfront information packs for estate agents and mortgage brokers.
Its service includes Material Information Reports powered by Sprift, alongside online property questionnaires for sellers. Agents can request unlimited packs without paying subscription fees or committing clients to YouConvey's conveyancing services.
The company also offers an optional £50 search to help sellers prepare legal paperwork before agreeing a sale. YouConvey claims the approach could cut up to five weeks from property transactions. However, it has not published supporting transaction data or explained how it calculated the saving.
The launches highlight growing commercial interest in upfront property information as the industry looks for ways to reduce delays and failed transactions.
Agents urged to tackle delays after offers are agreed
Neil Louth, group executive director of LRG and chief executive of The Acorn Group, said improving buyer confidence must go hand in hand with faster transactions.
"Buyers may take the same time to make an offer while still wanting the transaction itself to progress more quickly," he said. "Once a sale is agreed, they want clear progress, fewer avoidable delays and greater certainty about when they can move."
Louth called for closer cooperation between estate agents, surveyors, conveyancers, mortgage brokers and lenders. He believes digital tools and AI could help firms share information earlier, reduce duplication and automate routine tasks.
However, the impact of upfront information services on transaction times remains unproven. For agents, the key question is whether earlier access to property information will translate into fewer delays, less renegotiation and more completed sales.
