Buyer guide
Property research before viewing
Viewing a property is expensive in time and emotion. A short research pass before you book can rule out obvious deal-breakers and help you ask better questions on the day.
Start with the postcode
Enter the full postcode into Postcode Brief. The briefing pulls sold prices, crime, flood warnings, schools, transport, planning constraints and more from UK government open data — usually in under a minute.
Compare sold prices to the asking price
Land Registry records every residential sale in England and Wales. If the asking price is far above recent local sales for similar property types, that is worth discussing with the agent before you fall in love with the kitchen.
Check environmental and neighbourhood risks
Flood risk, mining legacy, noise corridors, and crime patterns vary street by street. District-level summaries are a useful first pass; a full postcode briefing is more precise.
Common questions
- How long does a Postcode Brief take?
- Most briefings assemble in 30–60 seconds. Slow sources (planning registers, schools walking distances) may take a little longer.
- Do I need an account?
- No. The main Postcode Brief search is free and needs no sign-in.
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