As the festive celebrations wind down, the housing market springs to life with a surge in activity. This year, Rightmove reported a 46% increase in new property listings on Boxing Day 2024, alongside a 20% rise in buyer interest during the same week.[1] [2]
Mark Walker, Mortgage Adviser at B Mortgage Services, shares his thoughts: “The Boxing Day surge reflects a growing trend of motivated movers preparing early. Whether you’re buying your first home or looking to refinance, it’s a great time to act as interest and competition ramp up.”
Why Boxing Day is So Significant for Buyers and Sellers
Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property expert, explains: “Boxing Day is traditionally the start of activity ramping up into January and the spring selling season. The record number of sellers coming to market shows there’s a group of motivated sellers ready to move.” [1]
For buyers and sellers, Boxing Day is a unique window of opportunity to get ahead of the spring rush, with homes listed over the festive period benefitting from heightened online visibility.
A Shift in Focus After Christmas
Once the holiday festivities conclude, many people turn their focus to planning their future. Boxing Day has become the perfect moment to consider a fresh start, with significant spikes in both property listings and buyer searches.
New Year’s Resolutions
As the new year approaches, many are motivated to take big steps, such as moving house. Rightmove consistently experiences its busiest festive period for home-mover activity as people act on their resolutions.
January Momentum
As routines return in January, interest in the property market continues to grow. Listings made during Boxing Day week benefit from maximum visibility as motivated buyers actively search for their next home.
With the housing market showing signs of stabilising after the rapid shifts of recent years, this calmer environment could be the perfect opportunity for thoughtful planning and decisive action.
