Estate agents across the UK are gearing up for increased activity following the Autumn Budget, as homebuyer demand picks up ahead of the festive season, GetAgent’s latest survey shows.

The study, commissioned by GetAgent, found that 65% of agents expect higher market activity in December, with 17% already noticing early signs of a post-Budget surge.

To manage the increased demand, 19% of agents plan to extend their festive opening hours, while 81% will continue working until Christmas Eve. Around 28% said they would check emails or take calls on Christmas Day if needed.

Activity continues into the year-end period, with 89% returning to work between Christmas and New Year and 42% feeling pressure to remain available over this time. Although 74% expressed concerns about the risk of burnout, 94% plan to be back at their desks by 2 January to handle demand.

Colby Short, CEO of GetAgent, commented: “From what our Client Services team is hearing from vendors, the hesitation that built up ahead of the Budget is starting to ease. The drawn-out process created a backlog of decisions that would normally land earlier in the autumn, pushing more activity into what is typically a quieter period.

“Despite this, agents are doing what they always do: adapting quickly and making themselves available to keep transactions moving. In a results-driven industry, agents know that their effort directly influences business outcomes. The willingness we’re seeing to step up and meet higher demand speaks volumes about the underlying strength and resilience of the sector.

“Between the disruption caused by the Budget and an expected busy January ahead, demand is higher than usual. Agents are rising to that challenge, leaving the sector in a strong position as we move into the new year.”