The Boxing Day Bounce: Why the Property Market Springs Back to Life Every December

19th December 2025

Rightmove’s data shows that Boxing Day is one of the busiest days of the entire year for property searches. It often produces double the usual December traffic.

This surge has become so well known in the industry that it is now referred to as the “Boxing Day Bounce”.

Why Does It Happen?

We’re all familiar with The In Between . That no mans land bit just after Christmas:

  • Time off work, giving people space to reassess life decisions

  • Family conversations, sparking plans to upsize, downsize or relocate

  • A New Year mindset, motivating renters and buyers to act

  • Marketing pushes, with many agents launching fresh stock on the 26th

These factors create a perfect storm of motivation and opportunity. As a result, both sales enquiries and rental enquiries typically see a significant lift.

What This Means for Landlords

For landlords, the Boxing Day Bounce represents one of the best annual windows to attract tenants. Demand surges, viewings fill quickly, and well priced, well presented properties are taken fast.

What This Means for Sellers and Investors

For buyers and investors, Boxing Day is the moment thousands of new listings hit the market. Many sellers prepare their homes quietly through November and December. This creates a chance to:

  • Spot new opportunities before others do

  • Secure investment properties ahead of the January rush

  • Begin negotiations while competition is still building

The bounce can set the tone for the first quarter of the new year. Savvy investors are already positioning themselves to benefit.

Whether you are letting, selling or planning your next investment, the Boxing Day Bounce offers a unique advantage. It creates a burst of motivated demand at the very moment people start acting on their New Year plans.

If you are considering listing a property, now is the perfect time to prepare so you are ready to capture the wave the moment it arrives.