What homebuyers really want: exclusive WhatHouse? analysis

Visitors to the site who have signed up for property details from the site over a few days in June 2016 were questioned by the survey team on a number of topics.

Responses across the period of time during which the survey was conducted were consistent: of all those questioned, 41% were looking to buy a new build home, which indicates that a specialist website dedicated only to brand new homes was a 'go-to' destination for them. Some 24% had a home to sell, showing that there was a high level of enquiries from first-time buyers looking for their first home or investors looking to start or add to a property portfolio of buy-to-let homes.

Further questions to those in the survey focused on the other information that they were interested in that related to their property search. 41% were actively looking for mortgage advice (which is a need met generously by the website's thorough mortgage section and twice-weekly mortgage news and features), 31% looking for life insurance information and 28% were seeking a suitable conveyancer.

The full list of property-related topics and level of interest from the survey is:

Mortgages - 41%
Life insurance - 31%
Conveyancing - 28%
Removals - 15%
Flooring - 8%
Conservatories - 4%
Gardens - 3%

Respondents also indicated that they would be happy to receive advice and contact from WhatHouse? throughout their buying process. 

Editor Keith Osborne says: "This survey has given us a real insight into the needs of the thousands of people who visit our website every day. It shows that the homebuying process isn't just about finding a great property - it's about information and insight, too, together with a host of other vital services in the finance, home improvement and logistics sectors. This has affirmed our belief that providing unique and high-quality news, advice and features to house-hunters every day is as important as having the latest properties listed."