Over a quarter of movers feel pessimistic – How Estate Agents can change that in 2025

Our data found that 26%* of people feel pessimistic about moving since the Budget. Ben Ridgway says that agents offering a breadth of choice can change their minds.

Our Co-Founder, Ben Ridgway says that in 2025, the UK property sector will need agility and choice to help would-be movers who feel pessimistic since the Budget.

He says that in 2025, shifting consumer expectations, a need for quick completions and a demand for transparency will shape how agents operate. To remain competitive, agents will need to be agile and offer a range of services to meet different demands.

Why Transparency Matters: The Role of Material Information

Transparency will be a critical factor for consumers, with 92% of people agreeing that having Material Information upfront would significantly improve the home-moving experience**. Ben says the Autumn Budget has brought comprehensive Material Information into even greater focus due to its links with a smoother sales process.

Ben said: “With changes to Stamp Duty, the pressure to complete sales quickly in the first quarter will be intense. Our data shows that consumer awareness of Material Information is growing. We believe that more and more will make the link between complete Material Information and a smoother sales process. For agents, showcasing strong Material Information practices at the point of listing will be essential to achieving a competitive edge. iamproperty already provides solutions to these challenges including Auction, where gathering Material Information is part of the comprehensive Auction Pack.”

He adds: “One of the benefits of Modern Method of Auction is that Material Information is an essential driver of its 95% success rate and ability to deliver completion timescales of 56-days^. This means agents can please buyers looking to save before the SDLT hike but are worried about the complexity of chains on the open market.

Ben emphasises that agents not currently offering Auction can still provide faster completions. He adds: “For properties not suited to Auction, agents can use our Premium Conveyancing service within movebutler. The new service can speed Private Treaty transactions by 5 weeks on average, with a typical completion being delivered in 79 days^^ by getting properties exchange-ready faster by ensuring all the legal information, including a pre-sale title check, legal searches review, and raising and addressing standard enquiries are completed upfront.”

Agility is in for 2025

Ben concludes: “In a market where clients need speed, agents must remain flexible and responsive. Offering a range of services, embracing PropTech, and prioritising transparency will be crucial. The trends are clear: efficiency, agility, and a digitised experience will define success in 2025.

“By anticipating these shifts and adapting now, agents can stay ahead of the curve and navigate the evolving property market with confidence.”

iamproperty partners with over 6,300 UK Estate Agency branches. For more information visit www.iamproperty.com.

 Additional

1. 1. *iamproperty survey of 1,024 UK adults on how they felt about moving following the Autumn Budget between 9^th – 10^th December 2024.

   2. ^**iamproperty survey of 350 consumers between 1^st and 3rd October 2024 on attitudes towards home buying and selling

   3. ^Based on standard properties. From receipt of draft contracts.

   4. ^^ An 18-month pilot conducted with several agents who executed over 150 sales shows the new service reduces transaction timescales by five weeks on average, with a typical completion being delivered in 79 days^ from receipt of draft contracts