"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"
- Nathan Emerson - Propertymark
Propertymark expects another strong Boxing Day bounce, anticipating that millions of prospective buyers and renters will go online on 26 December to begin searching for a new home. The organisation believes this surge will help create one of the busiest property marketing days of the year.
Boxing Day continues to act as a key moment for the housing market. Families gather, people review their housing plans for the new year, and additional downtime prompts browsing on phones and laptops. Estate and letting agents regularly report increased enquiries, higher website traffic, and early January viewing requests.
“Most years, Boxing Day marks the true start of the new housing cycle,” said Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark. “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 typically reaches some of its highest levels of the year. Sellers gain early exposure, attracting motivated buyers aiming for quick New Year moves. Renters start planning relocations linked to job changes, new contracts, or personal circumstances set to shift in January. New listings and marketing campaigns launch into a period of heightened public attention.
Advice for sellers and landlords
Declutter and depersonalise
Holiday browsers respond well to clean, neutral spaces. Reducing personal items allows viewers to picture themselves in the property.
Carry out minor repairs
Simple improvements, including fresh paint, updated fittings, and working lights or appliances, can enhance first impressions.
Enhance kerb appeal
Even in winter, tidy entrances, clear pathways, and good lighting help a property stand out, encouraging viewers to click through to a listing.
Capture high-quality photography before decorations dominate
Festive décor can date images and distract from room size. Propertymark advises scheduling professional photography early in December.
Get paperwork ready
Organising Energy Performance Certificates, warranties, guarantees, and management information early helps reduce delays once a buyer is found.
Using Propertymark’s Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) often speeds up the process because it gathers most required information at the beginning of a sale and allows it to be shared easily among relevant parties.
Choose a Propertymark Protected agent
Propertymark is reminding sellers that choosing the right representative remains essential.
“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,” explained Emerson. “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 recovery, Propertymark anticipates an active start to 2026 across sales and lettings.
“People use the festival period to reflect,” noted Emerson. “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.”
