Rightmove has recorded the busiest ever Boxing Day for visits to its platform, with the five days after Christmas seeing a 67% increase in the number of enquiries sent to estate agents and a 143% increase in the number of properties listed for sale compared to the five days before Christmas Day.
Visits to the property portal on Boxing Day surpassed the previous record set in 2024, with the number of hits almost double those from the quietest day of 2025 – an increase of 93%. In 2024, the increase from the quietest day of the year was 87%.
Activity was busiest in the South East, the East of England and London, where the most popular type of properties listed for sale were typical first-time buyer homes with up to two bedrooms.
“It’s early days but Boxing Day’s data suggests agents could have a busy start to 2026 after a quieter festive period during December, which was also impacted by the lateness of the Budget and the uncertainty around potential policies in the lead up to it,” Steve Pimblett, Rightmove’s chief data officer said.
“Record breaking visit numbers indicates many are looking to put some of the uncertainty of last year behind them and get going with a 2026 move.”
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, said the festive break often acts as a reset point for home movers, and the sharp rise in activity “highlights a strong appetite to move”, particularly among first-time buyers.
“Encouragingly, easing inflation and lower base rates compared to this time last year should help improve affordability and confidence, giving the market a stronger platform as the year gets underway,” he added.
“While this momentum is positive, it also underlines the importance of ongoing market confidence and stability. Affordability pressures, supply constraints, and policy certainty will remain critical factors in determining whether this early surge in interest can be sustained through the spring.”
