South West tops table for collapsed property deals
Home movers in the South West are more likely than anywhere else in England to see their property sale fall through, according to new research from the Open Property Data Association (OPDA).
The study of more than 5,000 recent home movers found that 65% of those in the South West have experienced a property transaction collapsing, significantly higher than the UK average of 58%, underlining the instability many buyers and sellers face in the region.
The average time lost on a failed transaction in the South West is 2.77 months, with disappointed home movers saying the experience has caused emotional stress (42%), delayed plans (42%) and financial loss (36%).
Delays and administration driving frustration
The high rate of fall-throughs is compounded by widespread frustration with the home moving process itself.
Respondents in the South West are the most frustrated in the UK when it comes to chasing for updates (31% vs 27% UK average), as well as delays in reaching key milestones such as exchanging contracts (33% vs 29% UK average).
They are also the most likely to cite frustration with sharing documents (27% vs 23% UK average), highlighting ongoing issues with manual processes and poor coordination between different parties in the transaction.
Downsizing drives regional trend
The research also reveals that homeowners in the region are the most likely in the UK to be downsizing, with 26% moving to a smaller property, compared to a national average of 20%.
This suggests a housing market shaped by lifestyle changes and later-life moves, where equity release and simplifying living arrangements may be key drivers.
Regional differences, same frustrations
The findings are published in the OPDA’s annual Future of Homebuying report, one of the largest studies of home moving trends and experiences in the UK.
While the report highlights significant regional variation in how people experience moving home, it also identifies shared frustrations across the country, including long delays, poor communication between parties, repeated requests for information and reliance on manual processes.
Nearly four in five respondents (78%) agree that the home moving experience needs fundamental reform.
Maria Harris, Chair of the Open Property Data Association (OPDA), said, “Buying or selling a home remains one of the most significant financial and emotional commitments that most of us will ever make. It should be a milestone that supports our goals and life events, yet too often the experience falls short of expectations.
“What this research clearly shows is that while experiences can vary by region, the underlying challenges are consistent across the UK. Too many consumers are still dealing with poor communication, repeated requests for information and delays that make the process feel unnecessarily complex and frustrating.
“Encouragingly, there is clear appetite for change. People want a system that reflects how we live today — one that is faster, more transparent and better connected. The findings reinforce the urgent need for reform, and the growing role that better use of property data can play in improving the experience. By transforming how information is shared, we have a real opportunity to make homebuying more efficient, more certain and far less stressful for everyone involved.”
The OPDA is building the framework and standards that will transform the housing market, working in collaboration with lenders, brokers, conveyancers, estate agents, technology and proptech firms, as well as Government bodies.
