It's been found that 91% of active homebuyers would consider using the Internet as their first step when looking for a property.

The study published by Findaproperty.com and PrimeLocation.com discovered the findings in its "Surfing for Homes" report compiled towards the end of 2006.

This is not to say that estate agents are becoming irrelevant, instead they become the second port of call to become better informed on decisions. It also means the buyer is likely to know a little more about the market and what they are looking for when searching for a new home, so the study concludes.

At the same time the report found that city dwellers are less likely to move far, with Londoners travelling an average of 16.5 miles to a new home and those in the Midlands being more adventurous at near to 30-miles.

However this survey was conducted online from over 1000 active property consumer responses.