Rightmove’s snapshot of January activity shows a 57% increase in buyer demand compared to the two weeks before Christmas, with the number of newly listed homes for sale up 81%.
Although activity hasn’t reached the levels seen last year, when it was fuelled by generous stamp duty allowances, demand is in line with levels seen in 2024. “Buyers can plan a new year move with less financial uncertainty alongside improved affordability for many,” Rightmove said.
The number of homes for sale is the highest it’s been at this time of year since 2014, with a third of the properties on the market selling at a reduced price. Despite the reductions, the average price of homes coming to market has increased by 2.8% since December – the largest ever price increase seen in January, and the largest of any month since June 2015.
Rightmove’s first look at market activity of the year 2026 shows the scale of the activity rebound from the traditionally quieter December into the busier January. The increase in buyer demand, measured by the number of people contacting agents to enquire about homes for sale, illustrates how Rightmove’s Boxing Day bounce kick-started the return of home-movers to market and is “an encouraging early snapshot,” the company said.
“It’s an encouraging start to the year to see sellers confident enough to list their homes at higher prices after several months of muted price growth last year, coinciding with more potential buyers returning to market,” Rightmove’s property expert Colleen Babcock said.
“Some buyers, particularly first-time buyers, won’t want to see prices rising too quickly. However, asking prices are only back to where they were in the summer of 2025 before the budget rumours began surfacing, which unsettled the market and dented confidence.”
“This new year seller confidence is a good sign,” Babcock added.
She continued:
“It’s early days but there are encouraging signs that more home-movers are now planning a 2026 move as we head towards the important spring buying and selling season. A record number of visits to Rightmove on Boxing Day and a big bounce in activity following a quieter festive period have set the tone for a positive start to the year.
“Many buyers have seen their affordability improve with average wage rises outstripping average property prices. Mortgage rate cuts at the end of 2025 and beginning of 2026 will also support those who are looking to move and come as some very good news at the start of the year, with a typical home-mover seeing their affordability improved by around £100 a month.”
