Estate agents may experience a slower start to the autumn market as school commitments impact parent buyers. New research from House Buyer Bureau indicates that 88% of homebuyers with school-aged children expect to book or attend fewer property viewings during the initial weeks of term.
The study also found that 86% of parents anticipate spending less time actively searching for a home as family routines resume. Childcare was cited as the biggest obstacle by 24% of respondents, followed by school drop-offs and pick-ups at 22%.
The slowdown could extend beyond viewings, with 92% of respondents expecting school commitments to hinder their purchase progression, making it harder to manage calls, paperwork, surveys, and mortgage appointments. Three-quarters of parents believe it could take more than a month before they can fully focus on their property search again.
Agents may need to adjust their viewing schedules, as 37% of parents favour viewings during school hours and 35% prefer weekends. Digital marketing could also become more important, with 79% of respondents expecting to rely more heavily on online listings, virtual tours, or video viewings.