Estate agents face growing pressure to respond quickly to clients after new research revealed that nearly nine in ten home sellers expect a 24-hour response time throughout the sales process. A survey of over 1,800 current and recent sellers found that the vast majority anticipate rapid communication at every stage, from initial enquiries to post-sale queries.
Of these, 85% expect a prompt response within just one day, with one in five considering anything beyond four hours an unacceptably slow response. Only a small minority of 4% found waiting more than two working days acceptable. The study highlights the significant shift in client expectations, driven by the influence of digital services and instant communication.
Heather Staff, Co-Founder of Street Group, notes that sellers are increasingly expecting same-day responses from estate agents, with some even seeking updates within a few hours. This trend suggests that clients are applying their experience of fast-paced digital platforms to property transactions.
The implications for the industry are substantial, with communication speed emerging as a key differentiator when sellers choose an agent. The research indicates that this factor is influencing decisions, even when working with multiple agents simultaneously. As the sector navigates ongoing regulatory changes and technological advancements, meeting these evolving client expectations will become increasingly crucial.
This shift in emphasis reflects a broader trend across various service sectors, where immediacy is now a key expectation. The property market's response to this demand for speed and efficiency will be closely watched as professionals adapt to meet changing client needs.