More than two-thirds of estate agents believe the housing market needs a government-led boost after a weaker-than-expected 2026, research from GetAgent shows.
Some 68% of agents surveyed say more meaningful government intervention is needed to stimulate activity, while 56% report the market has performed worse than they expected this year.
Another 37% say performance has been broadly in line with expectations and just 7% believe the market has been stronger than anticipated.
The research also found widespread dissatisfaction with government measures introduced so far, with 58% of agents describing them as ineffective in improving the health of the property market and 12% believing they have been effective.
FIRST-TIME BUYERS
The survey was conducted before the Government announced Your First Home, its new equity loan scheme for first-time buyers.
However, 40% of agents had already identified first-time buyers as the part of the market most in need of government support.
Landlords and property investors were selected by 29%, followed by existing homeowners looking to move at 14% and tenants at 10%.
Your First Home will allow eligible buyers of participating new-build properties in England to purchase with a 2.5% deposit, supported by a government equity loan worth 20% of the property’s value.
BUDGET SCEPTICISM
Before the scheme was announced, 84% of agents surveyed were not confident that the property market would be a meaningful focus of the Autumn Budget.
Colby Short (main picture, inset), Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of GetAgent, says: “The announcement of further support for first-time buyers is certainly notable and, based on what agents told us before the news broke, the Government has identified the area of the market where support is most needed.
“However, agents clearly believe more needs to be done to stimulate the wider market, particularly after a year that has performed below expectations for many.”
Short adds: “The industry will now be watching closely to see whether the Autumn Budget delivers a broader commitment to improving market health, or whether it ultimately proves to be the anti-climax that so many agents expect.”
