Despite the many different apps and websites that now exist to help homebuyers find their perfect property, many still find that the more ‘traditional’ methods are the best, according to new research from Which?

Which? questioned 2,000 homebuyers about how they found their property. More than half (55%) said that they found it through a ‘traditional’ method, like an estate agent, their local paper or an auction. Nearly half (45%) found their property online or through an electronic alert, such as a notification from an app.

Looking at the findings in more detail, they revealed that:

- One in five (22%) first-time buyers found their property through an estate agent.
- One in ten (10%) found their property after seeing a for sale sign outside.
- Nearly one in ten (9%) found their property through word of mouth.
- 6% found their property in their local paper.
- 3% found their property by approaching the owner directly, or by leafleting the area.
- 1% bought their property at a property auction.

“Despite the rise in online property portals, it seems many of us are still traditionalists when it comes to finding a property,” commented David Blake, principal adviser at Which? Mortgage Advisers.

“While apps and websites are a good place to start your property search, we found the most successful searches also include speaking to a local expert to get a real feel for the house and the area,” he added.

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