Hot competition? 500 new estate agencies set up shop this year

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Increased competition means estate agents need to work "incredibly hard" to stand out from the crowd, says property app boss.

16th Dec 20250 481 1 minute read Simon Cairnes

The number of estate agency businesses operating in the UK increased this year, increasing competition and the need to differentiate, according to Property DriveBuy boss Steve Foreman (pictured).

Research carried out by the geolocation property search app shows the number of active estate agency businesses rose by 2% this year, taking the total to 25,665. That is an increase of more than 500 agencies compared to 2024.

The regions

The data, from the Office for National Statistics, shows there was growth across most UK regions. The West Midlands (+6.1%) recorded the largest increase, followed by the East of England (+2.8%). London (+2.2%), the East Midlands (+2.2%), Yorkshire & Humber (+2.1%), the North West (+2.1%) and Scotland (+2.0%) also saw year-on-year growth. The North East was the only region to record a fall in agent numbers (-0.8%).

It is part of a long-term trend, with estate agency numbers growing consistently since 2017. Property DriveBuy forecasts that growth will continue into 2026 and expects agency numbers to rise by around 4%.

As more agents enter the market each year, we’re seeing competition intensify, forcing everyone to raise the bar.”

Foreman says: “As more agents enter the market each year, we’re seeing competition intensify, forcing everyone to raise the bar. This is great for the standard of estate agencies delivered in the UK, but it also means that agents need to work incredibly hard to stand out from the crowd. It’s no longer just advisable to try and differentiate yourself; it’s essential.

“Agencies that succeed in this environment are the ones embracing innovation, adopting new technologies, and finding eye-catching ways to reach and engage audiences — particularly with the emergence and evolution of AI-powered operational improvements. But most importantly, they’re focused on delivering exceptional client experiences and maximising the value of the service they provide.”

16th Dec 20250 481 1 minute read Simon Cairnes Share Facebook X LinkedIn Share via Email