The latest real-time data from the UK’s biggest property website Rightmove reveals record levels of Boxing Day activity in 2024, as home-hunters got ahead of a 2025 move.
It was the busiest ever Boxing Day for new seller activity, with a record number of new properties listed for sale by agents. The number of new properties coming to the market for sale was 26% higher than on Boxing Day 2023 when the previous record was set.
Traditionally, there is a bounce in home-moving activity on Boxing Day from one of the quietest days of the year to Christmas Day, which leads into the busy January moving season.
46% of homes listed by new sellers were mid-market, second-stepper homes – consisting of three and four-bed properties. 35% of homes listed for sale were smaller, typical first-time buyer type properties, and 18% were the largest homes at the top of the ladder.
The South East saw the most new properties coming to market, followed by the East of England and the South West.
Rightmove also recorded its busiest-ever Boxing Day for visits to its platform, beating the previous record set in 2021.
Total buyer demand, measured by the number of enquiries sent to estate agents about homes for sale, was also 20% higher on 26th December 2024 than the same day in 2023, as potential buyers capitalised on more choices ahead of a 2025 move.
Steve Pimblett, Rightmove’s Chief Data Officer says: “We’ve seen a record-breaking Boxing Day, not only for people turning to the Rightmove platform once the Christmas Day festivities are over but also for home-movers taking action and getting ahead of a 2025 move. While it’s very early days, these first indicators are positive signs for a busy start to the year for agents.”
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Properymark comments: “The festival period can prove a real inspiration for many who are thinking of potentially moving house. When you consider just how much progression the last twelve months have delivered to the housing market, it’s extremely encouraging to see enhanced levels of confidence translate into record numbers of people having the certainty to approach the buying and selling process.
“We started the year with inflation standing a 4% and the Bank of England base rate at 5.25%, both are now trending steadily back downwards and in turn, this is helping to provide much-needed affordability. Overall, we are expecting to see an extremely promising start to 2025, as people find themselves in a much more robust financial position than witnessed last year.”
