Residential property sales across England and Wales fell one percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, yet the market showed surprising resilience. Landmark Information Group’s latest Residential Property Trends Report notes that listing volumes have stabilized despite economic pressure and affordability challenges. June 2026 actually posted the strongest signed contracts to complete figures of the year, though that level remains seven percent lower than the same period in 2025. The report attributes this fluctuation to a low base from the previous year, when SDLT changes at the end of March 2025 caused unusually low transaction numbers.
The speed gap
On average, a residential purchase now takes 123 days from instruction to completion, with instruction to exchange often exceeding 112 days. Meanwhile, the average home mover wants the entire process finished in just 6.8 weeks. This expectation gap creates tension between client demands and operational reality. Fee earners spend a significant portion of their time managing communication rather than progressing work, and senior partners struggle to identify the specific causes of delays.
Without benchmarking against industry norms, it is difficult to tell if a firm’s timelines are normal or if there are hidden inefficiencies. The strongest performers in 2026 are not necessarily handling more matters; they are creating greater certainty and reducing friction. They identify problems earlier in the lifecycle and fix them before they escalate into avoidable delays.
Related Post: Mid sized law firms face key challenges
Upfront information
One of the clearest themes in the market is the growing focus on certainty. Many firms are now gathering key information much earlier in the process, including title reviews, identity verification and protocol forms, to identify risks before an offer is even accepted. This approach is supported by Government policy. In June 2026, the Government published its response to the Home Buying and Selling Reform consultation, outlining plans to make upfront property information a standard part of the transaction. Proposed requirements include title details, seller identity verification, leasehold information, planning considerations, property condition data and searches available earlier in the process. The reforms aim to improve transparency and reduce fall-throughs.
Landmark has been involved in supporting these discussions around trusted property data and digital property packs. The direction of travel is clear: improving the availability of information at the outset is becoming a market expectation. For firms looking to improve certainty today, the question is no longer whether upfront information matters, but how consistently it is being captured and used. Those that collect earlier information are often better positioned to reduce avoidable enquiries and identify issues sooner.
Companies that are achieving the most significant gains are concentrating on addressing the underlying causes of communication issues, rather than merely reacting to requests. By enhancing visibility, streamlining information flow, and establishing clearer processes, firms can decrease the need for manual intervention, which is where the most substantial opportunities for operational improvement exist.
Over the past decade, the majority of residential conveyancing firms have invested in digital systems, but what sets them apart is how effectively these systems interact with one another. Inefficient systems arise from disconnected platforms and redundant data entry. In contrast, top firms are prioritising integration and automation to reduce administrative burdens, with the ultimate goal of creating capacity. By improving the integration of case management systems, search providers, and onboarding tools, firms can reduce duplication and enable teams to focus on progressing cases and supporting clients.
Read Also: Law firms favor profit, increase AI investment
Industry benchmarking reveals that 41 percent of time is spent on chasing activities and transaction updates. Although this is often viewed as an inherent part of the job, it has a substantial operational impact. Every unnecessary interaction generates additional workload, making it challenging for firms to justify increasing capacity through headcount alone, especially when faced with fluctuating matter volumes and recruitment challenges. Reducing avoidable chasing presents a significant opportunity for operational improvement.
Technology, Integration and AI
Most residential conveyancing firms have invested in digital systems over the last decade. The real differentiator is how effectively those systems work together. Disconnected platforms, duplicate data entry and manual processes continue to create inefficiencies across many firms. In contrast, leading firms are increasingly focused on integration, automation and practical applications of AI that reduce administrative burden and improve workflow efficiency.
How does your firm compare?
Many firms believe they understand their strengths and weaknesses. However, without benchmarking key metrics such as transaction timelines, upfront information practices, operational efficiency and technology maturity, it can be difficult to know how your performance compares with the wider market. That is why the report was created.