The sales market remains active on the supply side, but softening buyer demand is making it harder to turn that activity into completed transactions, estate agents report.

More than half also believe market conditions are weaker than they were a year ago, according to a survey of more than 300 UK estate agents commissioned by GetAgent.

Weaker market

A total of 53% describe the residential sales market as either slightly or much weaker, while 20% say conditions have improved and 29% report little change.

Seller activity, however, is holding up better than buyer demand. Nearly half of agents – at 48% – say the quality of seller leads has improved to some degree in the past year, compared with 24% who believe it has worsened.

In contrast, 58% report a decline in the quality of buyer leads entering the market, while just 15% say buyer lead quality has improved.

Motivated buyers

When asked about the biggest obstacle facing their business, 30% of agents cited generating motivated buyer leads, while 25% said converting viewings into offers was their main challenge. A further 20% pointed to progressing agreed sales through to completion.

The survey also found that 87% of agents are investing in their businesses to help navigate current market conditions, with technology and AI tools the most popular area of investment.

Nearly eight in 10 agents believe strong lead generation is more important than it was a year ago, with 60% saying it has become significantly more important.

GetAgent Co-Founder and Chief Executive Colby Short (pictured) says agents remain cautious about the second half of 2026. While 29% expect market conditions to strengthen, 43% believe they will remain broadly unchanged, and a further 29% expect conditions to weaken.