Fewer than four in ten home movers end up buying a property they found on a portal.

Consumer organisation Which? said that in research among 2,000 recent home movers, just 37% had discovered their new home by searching a property portal.

However, a further 6% did so via an automated email from a portal and 2% found their new home via a smartphone app notification.

Even so, just 45% found their new home via a modern method, compared with 55% who used traditional methods such as looking in an estate agent’s window or local paper, or spotting a For Sale board.

First-time buyers, despite their younger age group, were even more unlikely to find a home on a portal, with 60% using traditional methods rather than portals or apps.

According to Which? this is how the figures break down:

Estate agent’s window 11%

Searching a property portal 37%

Phone call or email from estate agent 11%

Email from a property portal 6%

‘For Sale’ sign outside property 10%

Other electronic alert, eg app notification 2%

Word of mouth 9%

Local newspaper 6%

Other traditional method 4%

Still the best and most effective way to find your home is through a traditional, respected, local Estate Agent with a thorough knowledge of the area.

Why not speak to YOUR local Agent, JP & Brimelow serving Withington, Didsbury & Chorlton for the past 18 years.