The search behaviour of private property buyers has largely shifted to the evening hours. According to a recent survey by the platform Street.co.uk, around three-quarters of prospective buyers carry out their property searches after 5 pm, at a time when most estate agency offices are already closed.
Changing user behaviour in the digital market
For the study, 1,073 people who recently purchased a property were surveyed. The findings illustrate how significantly the property search process has decoupled from agents' traditional day-to-day operations. The majority of searching takes place once buyers' regular working day has ended.
The breakdown of the survey data reveals two main focal points in the evening:
- —40 per cent of respondents browse for suitable property listings between 17:00 and 20:00.
- —35 per cent dedicate themselves to the search at an even later hour, after 20:00.
- —Only a quarter of buyers carry out the majority of their search during traditional office hours before 17:00.
Challenges for agent accessibility
For agencies and property consultants, the data highlights the growing importance of digital infrastructure. With 75 per cent of prospective buyers becoming active only in the evening hours, this calls for rapid communication channels and automated processes to handle enquiries immediately, even after office closing times.
The survey by Street.co.uk illustrates that the window for initial contact and first exposure to listings increasingly falls during buyers' leisure time. Agents face the task of aligning their information provision and response times with these shifting lifestyle habits of their clientele.
