Millions research house prices of acquaintances without intention to buy

April 18, 2016 by Brendan O'Neill

House Prices

According to research by Direct Line, more than 19 million people in the UK have searched online to find the price of another person’s home during the last year, despite not intending to buy.

People also look up the properties of ex-lovers and new partners, according to the study. Window shopping is also a popular activity, with 63% looking at properties online, although they don’t want to buy.

More than half the people surveyed by Direct Line admitted to looking up their next door neighbour’s property, along with 31% of people looking at the home of a family member. The same figure also researched the value of a friend’s home.

The study also indicated that 10% of people go online to look at the home of a colleague. The research suggested reasons for this behaviour as anything from being nosy to fantasising about houses which are out of reach. The head of Direct Line home insurance, Katie Lomas, said:

“We are a nation of property obsessives with very good reason. Our homes are our castles and becoming a homeowner or even climbing the ladder in the UK is a huge challenge and aspiration for many.”

According to Lomas, property sites provide inspiration and information, and millions of people have turned looking at other people’s homes online into a pastime. Once a person has decided they want to take the plunge and buy a property, it’s advisable to consult a CeMAP trained mortgage adviser to ensure you obtain the most suitable deal.