Boxing Day Bounce Set to Kick-Start 2026 Housing Market
Propertymark is forecasting another strong “Boxing Day Bounce” this year, as millions of prospective buyers and renters are expected to jump online on 26 December in search of a new home, triggering one of the busiest property marketing days of the year.
Boxing Day has become a pivotal moment for the housing market. With families gathered, people considering their new year’s housing ambitions, and extra downtime leading to browsing on phones and laptops, estate and letting agents are consistently reporting an uplift in enquiries, a surge in website traffic, enquiries, and early January viewing requests.
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, said:
“Most years, Boxing Day marks the true start of the new housing cycle. Once the festive excitement has passed, people turn their attention to the year ahead, and moving home is often right at the top of that list. We expect to see an increase in online searches, enquiries, and valuation requests as consumers prepare to act early in 2026.”
Why the Boxing Day bounce matters
- Search activity spikes, typically seeing some of their highest visitor numbers of the year.
- Sellers gain early-bird exposure, often attracting motivated buyers who want to move quickly in the New Year.
- Renters begin planning moves around job changes, new contracts, or personal circumstances that reset in January.
- Everyone can capitalise on the ambition and momentum, with new listings and marketing campaigns ready to launch during a period of heightened attention.
Advice for sellers and landlords
1. Declutter and depersonalise
Buyers looking online during the holidays will be drawn to clean, uncluttered spaces. Removing personal items and creating a neutral environment helps people imagine themselves living in the home.
2. Carry out minor repairs
Simple, inexpensive fixes, such as refreshing paintwork, replacing tired fittings, and ensuring all lights and appliances work, can significantly boost first impressions.
3. Enhance kerb appeal
Even in winter, tidy entranceways, clean pathways, and a well-lit exterior help homes stand out. Buyers often decide within seconds whether to click on a listing.
4. Capture high-quality photography before decorations dominate
Christmas decorations can date images and distract from the room’s size. Propertymark recommends capturing professional images early in December, before the festive décor goes up.
5. Get paperwork ready
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), warranties, guarantees, and management information should be organised in advance to avoid delays once a buyer is found.
Using Propertymark’s Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) has consistently sped up the process, as it is designed to retrieve the majority of the information needed at this stage of the process right at the start of the sale. It can then be shared between all the relevant parties and shows all the information an agent needs to start to market the property properly.
6. Choose a Propertymark Protected Agent
Propertymark is reminding sellers that who they instruct matters.
Emerson added:
“Using a Propertymark Protected agent gives sellers confidence that they are working with a qualified professional who is regulated, accountable, and committed to higher standards than the law requires. At a time when marketing exposure and legal compliance are critical, choosing the right agent is one of the most important decisions a seller can make.”
Looking ahead to 2026
With interest rates stabilising and consumer confidence showing signs of improvement, Propertymark expects a busy start to 2026 across both sales and lettings markets.
Emerson concluded:
“People use the festival period to reflect. With millions of people starting to look at property at the same time, it creates real momentum. The Boxing Day Bounce gives the market a strong launchpad for the year ahead.”
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