One in four would-be sellers shelve move plans amid rising uncertainty

A growing number of homeowners are reconsidering plans to move in 2026, with almost a quarter of prospective sellers no longer intending to list their property this year.

A survey of 1,011 UK homeowners commissioned by GetAgent found that 24% of those who planned to sell at the start of 2026 have now abandoned those plans, while a further 27% said they are less certain about moving than they were earlier in the year.

Many sellers had already taken steps towards a move before changing course. Around 17% said they had prepared their property for sale, 16% had spoken with an estate agent, and the same proportion had begun searching for an onward purchase. Some 13% had requested a valuation, 12% had listed their home, and 11% had hosted viewings. However, only 8% had agreed a sale.

According to the findings, limited buyer activity is a key factor behind the change in sentiment. Around 23% of respondents said they had not received an offer, while 18% reported little or no viewing activity.

Financial pressures were also cited, with 17% concerned about the cost of their onward purchase and 16% pointing to wider economic uncertainty, including inflation. Other reasons included difficulty finding a suitable property and broader political or global instability.

Among those delaying their move, 31% said they expect to return to the market later this year, while 29% now plan to sell in 2027. Around 40% remain uncertain about when they will resume their plans.

The survey also points to subdued market confidence, with just 19% of sellers saying they feel confident about current housing market conditions, compared with 58% who described themselves as uncertain to some degree.

Co-Founder and CEO of GetAgent, Colby Short, commented: “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.

“For agents, this means fewer sellers coming to market and increased competition for instructions. In this environment, focusing on lead quality and maintaining consistent follow-up is more important than ever.

“At GetAgent, we’re paid on completion, so we understand how stressful it can be when there’s pipeline disruption. Our Client Services team is focused on helping sellers feel more confident and informed, connecting them with agents who are well placed to guide them through the process.

“Good agents are doing what they’ve always done – providing clear, data-driven advice and demonstrating local market expertise, helping to rebuild momentum and showing that even in a more measured market, there are still opportunities to successfully sell.”