Market analysis by GetAgent.co.uk found that transaction levels rose by 89% in March as the impending Stamp Duty deadline spurred on buyers.
March’s figures represent the highest monthly total since June 2021, with 149,660 sales completed across England.
GetAgent says that while the Stamp Duty deadline fuelled the activity, estate agents should be prepared for market momentum to continue in the summer months. Through its platform, it saw a 37% increase in vendor referrals during Q1 of 2025 while valuation referrals, vendors who go on to book valuations with the agents of their choice, also rose by 51% year-on-year.
March 2025 saw by far the highest monthly increase in sales completions in the last five years with the exception of June 2021, where the first leg of the pandemic Stamp Duty was coming to a close and saw sales completions soar by 120% on the previous month to 191,300.
A similar surge in market activity was then seen when the second phase of the pandemic Stamp Duty holiday came to a close in September of the same year, with 146,610 transactions completing in the month of September, up 69% versus the previous month.
However, both of these market spikes were followed by an immediate lull, with transactions falling by 69% in July 2021 following the first SDLT holiday deadline and by 54% in October 2021 following the second deadline.
Co-founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: “It’s no surprise that the recent Stamp Duty deadline drove an increase in monthly sales volumes, as homebuyers scrambled to complete after what was relatively short notice from the government.”
“But despite previous trends of market decline following past SDLT deadlines, the current momentum appears set to continue. Our Client Services team speaks to thousands of vendors each week, and the sentiment is clear: sellers remain motivated and confident in the market, even now the deadline has passed.”
“In Q1 alone, we saw a 37% spike in vendor referrals, whilst valuation referrals were up by 51% versus this time last year which demonstrates that demand is alive and well.”
“It’s a strong sign that momentum in the market isn’t just holding, it’s building. While the Stamp Duty saving was a motivator for some, we’re seeing signs that the market is set to go from strength to strength as we move into the summer months.”
