Quarter of UK property sellers withdraw from market

Nearly a quarter of homeowners who intended to sell their property in January have withdrawn from the market, according to new research from comparison platform GetAgent.

The survey of 1,011 property vendors reveals that 24% are no longer planning to move in the near future, while a further 27% remain committed to selling but with significantly reduced certainty compared to the start of the year.

Seller activity levels

The data shows varying levels of market engagement before withdrawal. Some 17% of respondents had prepared their property for sale, whilst 16% had consulted an estate agent and begun searching for an onward purchase. A further 13% had requested a valuation, 12% had already listed their home, and 11% had progressed to hosting viewings. Only 8% had agreed a sale.

Reasons for withdrawal

Lack of buyer engagement emerged as the primary factor behind market withdrawal. Some 23% of sellers cited receiving no offers, while 18% reported few or no viewings. Around 17% expressed concern about the increased cost of their onward purchase, and 16% pointed to wider economic uncertainty, including inflation.

The findings come as property portals launch campaigns to boost agent enquiries amid challenging market conditions. Last week, GetAgent reported that estate agents were facing a growing backlog of unsold homes, with property deal numbers falling by more than 40%.

Market re-entry plans

Of those postponing their sales, 31% expect to re-enter the market later this year, while 29% are now targeting 2027. However, 40% remain uncertain about when they will resume their move.

Colby Short, co-founder and CEO of GetAgent, said: “What we’re seeing here is not a lack of intent from sellers, but a hesitation driven by uncertainty and a more challenging market environment. Many homeowners have already taken meaningful steps towards selling, but with softer buyer activity, affordability pressures and wider economic uncertainty, they’re choosing to pause rather than push ahead.”

The withdrawal of sellers from the market follows broader challenges facing the property sector, as agents increasingly turn to technology solutions to manage their pipelines and maintain contact with potential clients.

Market implications

The data suggests a cooling in seller confidence at the start of 2026, with economic uncertainty and subdued buyer activity creating headwinds for transaction volumes. The high proportion of sellers unsure about their return to the market indicates continued volatility in the months ahead.