An overwhelming majority of homeowners found the buying process stressful and faced unexpected costs, according to research from PEXA. The percentage of respondents who faced unexpected costs was up from 62% in 2025. The research also highlighted a gap between consumers’ expectations of how long a property transaction should take and how long it takes in practice. Open Property Data Association chair Maria Harris says that consumers are ready for a property market built around trusted, shareable data rather than repeated requests for the same information. Centre for Finance, Innovation & Technology director of coalitions and research Leon Ifayemi adds: “Consumers are asking for a home buying process that is more connected, transparent and trustworthy.”