The property market may be passing through an uncertain period, with fears about Budget taxes hindering sales, but agent numbers continue to grow.

Latest figures show the total number of UK estate agents is expected to rise this year to 19,726 from 19,586 in 2024.

And this trend is set to continue next year, as the total number of businesses climbs by a further 1.3% to 19,982.

Outstrip

Analysis from out-of-area leads platform GetAgent Exchange found that the number of businesses has continued to grow steadily, climbing from 15,654 in 2020.

This trajectory outstrips market size as the sector is forecast to reach a total of £5.8 billion in 2025, up 0.71% on the previous year.

Progress is also expected to carry forward into 2026, when market size is forecast to increase again by 0.7% to £5.85 billion.

GetAgent Exchange analysed the latest data on the market size of the residential estate agents sector, based on revenue.

Challenging period

Colby Short, co-founder and CEO of GetAgent Exchange, says: “The property market as a whole has held its own in recent years, despite the myriad of challenges we’ve faced.

“But it’s fair to say that it’s been a more challenging period for the estate agency sector specifically, with sector revenues declining consistently, largely driven by a continued increase in competition within the sector,” he says.

The reality is that this competition is fiercer than ever.”

“The reality is that this competition is fiercer than ever, with more businesses chasing incremental gains.”

GetAgent Exchange was set up by agent comparison site GetAgent earlier this year.

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