Busiest ever festive period as home-hunters make New Year’s resolution to move

January 6, 2022
Love or Hate Rightmove
  • Rightmove recorded its busiest ever festive period for home-mover activity, with buyer demand up by 23% compared to the same period last year
  • The number of new sellers coming to market was up by 21% on Boxing Day compared to Boxing Day in 2020 as people took advantage of the post-Christmas buyer surge. This was the highest number of new sellers on Boxing Day Rightmove has ever recorded
  • Rightmove also recorded its busiest ever Boxing Day for visits to its site and apps
  • Prospective sellers jumped into action on 30th December, the busiest day since May 2021 for people requesting estate agents to come out and value their home, making it into the top ten busiest ever days for these valuation requests on Rightmove

 

New data from the UK’s biggest property website Rightmove can reveal that the period between Boxing Day and the New Year was its busiest on record for home-mover activity, as both prospective buyers and sellers make it their resolution to move in 2022.

 

Rightmove’s Director of Property Data Tim Bannister said: “Boxing Day traditionally signals the start of activity ramping up as people turn their attention from turkey and trimmings to their plans for 2022, and activity is set to increase further as January unfolds and people start to settle down into a routine after the December break.

“Despite the frenzied market activity we saw throughout 2021, we’ve recorded even higher levels of buyer demand in the period between Boxing Day and the New Year this year, driven by a sustained desire to get on and move.

“Not only this, but the increased number of new homes up for sale on Boxing Day compared to last year, signals a new group of sellers coming to market who have made it their New Year’s resolution to move in 2022. This group may have held back last year due to the frantic market but are now seeing it as their time to take action, and have taken advantage of the high number of prospective buyers searching for their next home over the holidays.

“This, coupled with the number of would-be sellers getting in touch with an agent to value their home, suggests more property choice to come for buyers. However, with buyer demand high, we’d recommend getting in touch with a local estate agent to book a viewing as soon as you see a property that could end up being the one for you.”

Rightmove

UK Property news updates shared directly from Rightmove PLC - the country's leading property portal.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Making Small Office Spaces Feel Much Larger

Small offices can often seem tight, making it hard for employees to work comfortably. Not enough space may lower mood and affect how well people do their jobs. Good design choices, though, help any small workspace feel bigger, brighter, and easy to move around in. How a space is perceived can often influence comfort and…
Read More →
Planning disputes on new build land
Breaking News

£2.7bn in Development Opportunities Across England

The latest research by specialist property finance lender, West One Loans, has shown that there are currently £2.7 billion worth of development opportunities in the current market, with the South West home to the highest proportion of potential plots available for developers to capitalise on. West One Loans analysed current land, plot, and site listings…
Read More →
Breaking News

Stabilising the property market ahead of Autumn Budget

As she prepares the October Budget, Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners writes this letter to urge the Chancellor to take decisive action now to stabilise the property market and build long-term economic resilience. Despite cautious optimism around initiatives such as Help to Buy and planning reform, the market remains stagnant amid persistent…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Fresh water property hotspots outperforming wider market

Fresh water property hotspots see house prices climb at almost three times the national average The latest research from leading estate agent Yopa has found that house prices in areas surrounding the UK’s lakes, lochs, and reservoirs have grown at nearly three times the national average over the last year, with the annual rate of…
Read More →
Home and Living

Best Parks & Outdoor Spaces in St Albans for Weekend Relaxation

St Albans is a vibrant city renowned for its beautiful green spaces and parks, making it a perfect destination for weekend relaxation and leisure. With its rich history and stunning landscapes, visitors and locals alike are drawn to the serenity and beauty of St Albans’ outdoor spaces. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a peaceful…
Read More →
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Retail investment bounces back as Bank Rate cut again

Demand to invest in retail commercial property is up by 35% compared to a year ago, shifting from being 15% down year-on-year in 2024 Overall demand to invest in commercial property is up by 20% as the interest rate environment improves, and the Bank Rate is cut for the second time this year Office sector…
Read More →