Boxing Day has become one of the busiest days of the year for online property searches, with thousands of prospective buyers logging onto the likes of Zoopla and Rightmove as festive downtime gives way to New Year ambitions.
Industry experts say the annual spike in traffic is driven by a combination of factors, including people reassessing their living arrangements after spending Christmas with family, planning moves closer to loved ones or simply using the break to think ahead to the year to come.
The surge in demand has also encouraged many homeowners to list their properties on December 26, hoping to capitalise on the heightened attention.
However, one property professional is warning that the Boxing Day rush can actually work against both sellers and buyers.
INTENSE COMPETITION
According to Sam Fox (main picture), property and mortgage expert at the UK Mortgage Centre, the sheer volume of listings going live at the same time creates intense competition, making it harder for individual properties to stand out.
“Boxing Day listings often go live alongside hundreds of others,” Fox says. “That level of competition can mean your property is quickly pushed down search results, even if it’s well priced and well presented.”
Fox adds that homes listed during the festive period also risk appearing “stale” by the time the New Year market gathers momentum, potentially leading buyers to assume a property has failed to sell and encouraging lower offers.
And he cautions that not all Boxing Day browsers are serious purchasers.
WASTED VIEWINGS
He says: “A large proportion of people looking on property portals over Christmas are browsing out of curiosity rather than with genuine intent. That can lead to wasted viewings and little real progress.”
For sellers, festive distractions can also play a role. Homes dressed for Christmas may feel cluttered or overly personal, making it harder for buyers to picture themselves living there.
By contrast, early January is widely viewed as a more favourable window for listing, with fewer competing properties, more motivated buyers and homes presented in a cleaner, more neutral state.
INFLATED PRICES
The Boxing Day buzz may also pose risks for buyers. While the surge in listings can feel exciting, experts warn that heightened demand can inflate asking prices, as sellers test the market amid heavy online traffic.
Fox says: “In a competitive atmosphere, buyers can feel pressured to move quickly. That can result in rushed decisions or paying more than a property is realistically worth.”
He also says that some festive listings go live before sellers are fully prepared, with incomplete details or photography, making it harder for buyers to assess properties properly.
