More than eight in ten estate agents fear the Autumn Budget will fail to deliver meaningful support for the housing market, despite the government’s latest first-time buyer initiative.
Chancellor John Healey will deliver his first Budget on Wednesday 28 October, with agents looking for measures to stimulate activity following a disappointing year.
A GetAgent survey found that 84% of agents lacked confidence that housing would feature prominently in the Budget.
The research, which predates the government’s latest first-time buyer announcement, also revealed widespread dissatisfaction with market conditions.
More than half (56%) said the property market had performed worse than expected in 2026. Another 37% said activity had broadly matched expectations, while just 7% reported stronger performance.
Agents also questioned the effectiveness of government intervention.
Some 58% believe existing measures have failed to improve market conditions, while just 12% consider them effective.
Meanwhile, 68% believe the housing market needs a more substantial government-led boost to stimulate activity.
First-time buyers top agents’ priority list
When asked which group most urgently needs support, 40% of agents identified first-time buyers.
Landlords and property investors followed at 29%, while 14% prioritised existing homeowners looking to move.
Just 10% selected tenants.
Since the survey took place, the government has announced Your First Home, an equity loan scheme aimed at helping first-time buyers purchase new-build properties in England.
Under the proposed scheme, eligible buyers could purchase a home with a deposit of just 2.5%, alongside a government-backed equity loan covering 20% of the property’s value.
The announcement addresses one of the industry’s main concerns. However, questions remain over whether the Budget will include wider measures to support housing transactions.
Agents want wider action to stimulate market
Colby Short, co-founder and chief executive of GetAgent, said the government had identified an area where agents believe intervention is most urgently needed.
“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, Short warned that the industry wants action beyond first-time buyer incentives.
“Agents clearly believe more needs to be done to stimulate the wider market, particularly after a year that has performed below expectations for many.”
He added: “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.”
GetAgent commissioned the survey of 314 UK estate agents through research platform FindOutNow on 18 September 2026.
