Have you been ‘catfished’ by a property?
Home >
All >
Have you been ‘catfished’ by a property?
Not all prospective homebuyers will be familiar with ‘catfishing’ – a term from the online dating world to describe a person who presents themselves differently online to how they are in person. But a lot of them have suffered the catfishing experience at property viewings.
New word, familiar trend
A recent survey1 of homebuyers suggested that more than seven in 10 were ‘catfished’ by a property during their search. The most common issue was a property being much smaller than it appeared in photos.
Other let-downs included properties looking more outdated than expected, tiny rooms being advertised as extra bedrooms and poor build quality, which frequently led buyers to believe a property wasn’t worth the asking price.
Extra tools
The best way to avoid disappointment is by doing some extra research rather than relying on the estate agent’s photos. A floor plan can give you an idea of the actual size of each room, while a street view tool could give you a more realistic view of the state of the property.
1MoveStreets, 2021
It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this document is based on our current understanding and can be subject to change without notice and the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different parts of the UK. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are those currently applying or proposed and are subject to change; their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor. No part of this document may be reproduced in any manner without prior permission.
The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated. If you withdraw from an investment in the early years, you may not get back the full amount you invested. Changes in the rates of exchange may have an adverse effect on the value or price of an investment in sterling terms if it is denominated in a foreign currency.
Information is based on our understanding of taxation legislation and regulations. Any levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are subject to change.
Tax treatment is based on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.
Other Insights of interest
3rd July, 2025
HNWIs face gaps in retirement and succession planning
Many high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) have yet to establish retirement or succession plans, even though they…
Read full insight
25th June, 2025
Residential Property Review – June 2025
May sales hit post-2022 high as housing market regains momentum Rightmove says May 2025 was…
Read full insight
25th June, 2025
Commercial Property Market Review – June 2025
City investment rebounds with biggest deal in over a year as recovery continues London City’s…
Read full insight
17th June, 2025
Closing the investing gap
A recent report1 estimates 13 million UK adults are sitting on £430bn of cash savings….
Read full insight