Brokers join call for Pre-Sale Surveys to speed transactions

A poll of surveyors shows strong support for the idea of pre-sale surveys.

When asked whether the new Government should introduce mandatory pre-sale surveys to speed up home buying and selling some 71% of respondents backed it with only 29% against.

The poll - by Countrywide Surveying Services - also delved into the practices of brokers and lenders, uncovering that 21% do not explain the difference between a valuation and a survey to borrowers. 

In contrast, 79% stated they did clarify this  distinction. 

Barriers for customers to instruct a survey included the belief that the valuation is a ‘survey for the benefit of the customer rather than lender’ was the primary obstacle by 54% of respondents. 

CSS claims this is undoubtedly linked to consumers not being told the difference between a survey and a valuation by a fifth of brokers or lenders. 

Other barriers included knowledge (47%), cost (45%) and not being offered a survey in the first place (22%). 

In terms of actively recommending borrowers to instruct a home condition survey, 39% of property professionals stated that they do this every time. Some 36% said sometimes, 12% suggested that this was not something for everyone, 9% replied never and 3% hardly ever actively recommend home condition reports.

These responses emerged at a Countrywide Surveying Services event involving over 300 surveyors, lenders, brokers and other property professionals.

Matthew Cumber, Managing Director at Countrywide Surveying Services, says: “It’s clear from these results that the industry sees significant value in pre-sale surveys as a means to help streamline the homebuying and selling process. 

“By providing buyers with as much up-front property-related information as possible will provide greater levels of transparency and efficiency during such a complex and emotive process.

“There remain many barriers to overcome from a consumer perspective but many of these can be addressed relatively easily via education and advice. 

“As such it underlines the importance of everyone involved in the process conveying the right information and messaging around surveys and helping consumers make informed early decisions about the property they are buying.”