Home buying activity rebounds after Christmas with enquiries up 67%

Rightmove recorded its busiest-ever Boxing Day for visits as enquiries to estate agents rose 67% in the five days after Christmas and new property listings increased 143% over the same period.

Rightmove reported a strong rebound in home search and listing activity immediately after Christmas, including its busiest-ever Boxing Day for visits. In the five days after Christmas, enquiries sent to estate agents rose 67% compared with the five days before Christmas. New properties listed for sale more than doubled in that same period. Industry figures said the pattern was pronounced this year as buyers and sellers returned after the festive lull. Key figures: - Enquiries to estate agents rose 67% in the five days after Christmas versus the five days before. - New property listings increased 143% over the same comparison period. - Visits to Rightmove on Boxing Day 2025 were the highest on record, with traffic up 93% from Christmas Day to Boxing Day. - New buyer and seller activity was strongest in the South East, the East of England and London. - Smaller homes (zero to two bedrooms) made up the largest share of new listings. - The Bank of England base rate was cut from 4% to 3.75% in December, and many lenders have recently been reducing mortgage rates. Summary: Rightmove and other industry representatives said the post-Christmas surge points to a potentially busy start to 2026 for agents and sellers. Undetermined at this time.