For years, the UK real estate market has faced one enduring challenge: a slow, often frustrating communication process. Long delays, unclear communication, and high fall slew rates made buying and selling real estate more stressful than necessary.
The average UK real estate transaction takes about 16-20 weeks to complete. 
Delay in the collection of legal documents – Sellers often begin to assemble mandatory paperwork only after the offer is accepted, or after the mandatory wait time has been caused. An unexpected issue can cause hidden issues such as boundary disputes and restrictive contracts to derail the transaction at the last minute. Communication Breakdown – Real estate agents, lawyers, buyers and sellers often run on silos, leading to bottlenecks. High Fall Rates – About 30% of UK real estate transactions often collapse before completion due to slow discoveries or buyer frustration.
A more collaborative, technology-driven approach is key to speeding up transactions and creating a stress-free experience for everyone involved.
Early preparation
One of the biggest causes of delays is the lack of prepayment information. Buyers and sellers often underestimate the importance of early preparation, but preparing the right document from the start can greatly streamline the process.
In many cases, clients underestimate the importance of early preparation. They should encourage them to put together necessary documents before making an offer, and they should ensure a prompt transition once the transaction is agreed. In particular, sellers benefit from preparing material information in advance, allowing real estate agents to sell their property efficiently while maintaining compliance.
Early sharing of substance information allows buyers to make informed decisions. ”
By sharing substance information early, buyers are empowered to make informed decisions and minimize unexpected issues that could derail the process. Searches can take several weeks depending on the processing time of your local government. Starting them as soon as possible will minimize the delay in the second half of the transaction.
Substance information
Although the waist was discarded in 2010, the latest information pack offers practical alternatives and encourages collaboration between real estate agents and carriers. These initiatives aim to create a more transparent and efficient real estate market.
By embracing the principles of disclosure of previous real estate, real estate agents, carriers, and real estate professionals can play an important role in changing the buying and selling experience. A more aggressive and technology-driven approach benefits everyone. It reduces stress, speeds up transactions, and ultimately makes the real estate market more reliable and efficient.
When key legal and structural details are disclosed early, buyers can make informed decisions before making an offer. This usually eliminates many before and after the transmission process slows down. Sellers do not need to scramble to find missing documents once the sale is agreed.
More clear information is less likely to advance buyers to withdraw due to unexpected issues. ”
With more clear information ahead of time, buyers are less likely to withdraw due to unexpected issues. Transparency in the early stages reduces the chances of troubling surprises later, ensuring smoother trading and reduced collapsed trading.
Funding source
Transporters are under great pressure to verify the validity of their funds in real estate transactions. Money Laundering Due to anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, regulators such as the HMRC and the Attorneys' Regulation Authority (SRA) are closely monitored, so carriers need to meticulously check their sources of funds to prevent financial crimes.
Failure to carry out proper due diligence can result in serious consequences, including substantial fines, reputational damage, and, in the worst case, criminal liability. It is essential that drivers remain vigilant as the legal sector already sees businesses that have been punished for lapse in AML compliance.
However, one of the biggest challenges is the perception that carriers are “delaying” transactions. When additional documentation is requested, buyers and sellers can be frustrating, but this is often due to incomplete or untraceable sources of funding.
One of the biggest challenges is the perception that carriers are “delaying” transactions. ”
A common problem is mixing clients' trackable funds (such as bank transfers, payroll and savings) with cash deposits that lack a clear audit trail. This not only raises the hauler's red flag, but puts the entire transaction at risk.
Robust digital identity and fund source verification tools streamline the process and reduce delays while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Better communication, smoother transactions
Real estate agents are the bridge between buyers, sellers and legal teams. It is important to notify them. Traditional postal communication slows down transactions. Eliminate unnecessary delays by using online tools for document submission and status tracking.
Regular updates to clients minimize inbound queries, leading to a more seamless experience and reduced call volume. Proactively managing expectations prevents unnecessary frustration and ensures transactions are on track.
It is important to establish direct communication with the carrier on the other side of the transaction. Identifying the priority completion date early and working towards it in an adjusted manner prevents a last-minute setback.
It is important to establish direct communication with carriers on the other side of the transaction. ”
It encourages a more cohesive approach to ensure that all stakeholders (real estate agents, carriers, mortgage brokers, buyers) have access to the same set of real estate details. This ensures a faster response to queries and a smoother journey to completion.
And finally, unnecessary general enquiries slow the process down. Communication should be a collaborative effort similar to the soccer teams that work together towards the goal. By ensuring that real estate inquiries are specific and relevant, you can prevent delays and keep transactions running efficiently.
Adopts technology for faster processes
Technology is revolutionizing the real estate industry, from blockchain property records to AI-driven legal processes. A structured digital-first approach to advance payment information is consistent with these innovations, paving the way for a more streamlined and automated future.
Digital signatures can dramatically speed up document processing, but not all law firms accept them now. We recognize the potential time savings of all involved parties and continue to drive wider adoption.
Digital signatures can dramatically speed up document processing, but not all law firms accept them now. ”
Automation tools streamline the communication process by efficiently handling identity checks, document management and land registry submissions.
Email, video calls, and even chatbots can facilitate faster communications and deal with common queries without unnecessary delays.
Build a more collaborative industry
By predicting the requirements of other carriers, you can actively gather the information you need from your clients. This can prevent unnecessary front and rear exchanges (often called “tennis”) and slow progress.
Education is important. Webinars, guides and industry discussions can help agents and buyers better understand the legal process, from Money Laundering Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance to real estate inquiries and funding sources.
The future of communication
Communication is often seen as an annoying bottleneck in real estate transactions, but it is not necessary. The right approach, combining collaboration, technology and proactive communication, allows the industry to turn it into a seamless experience that benefits all stakeholders.
Propagation is not just about processing transactions. It is about building strong, strategic partnerships with real estate agents. ”
Adopt technology, promote strategic partnerships, and prioritizing clear and proactive communications can accelerate property trading, improve client satisfaction, and redefine what great communications look like.
Propagation is not just about processing transactions. It is about building strong, strategic partnerships with real estate agents.
Adam Bainbridge is the sales manager for RG Law.
