As the festive season winds down and the New Year begins, something interesting happens in the property market: buyer activity surges. While many assume spring is the best time to sell, January consistently proves to be one of the strongest months for serious, motivated movers.

Here’s why the post-Christmas bounce is real — and why sellers shouldn’t wait until spring to take action.

Serious Buyers Are Ready to Move

January buyers aren’t window-shoppers — they’re motivated. After the Christmas break, people return with fresh goals, new priorities, and a desire for change. Whether it’s needing more space, relocating for work, or seeking a fresh start, January buyers are typically focused and financially prepared.

Rightmove and Zoopla both historically report a major jump in buyer enquiries on Boxing Day and throughout early January, proving that interest begins building even before the New Year has started.

Online Property Activity Spikes from Boxing Day

The property market wakes up before the decorations come down.

Every year:

Boxing Day sees one of the highest spikes in online property searches
January continues with strong web traffic and buyer enquiries
New listings receive more attention due to reduced competition

With phones in hand and extra downtime over the holidays, people start planning their next move — and the search begins early.

Less Competition for Sellers

Many homeowners assume spring is the best time to list, so they hold back.
But that creates an opportunity.

In January:

There are fewer properties on the market
New listings receive more views and more enquiries
Serious buyers have limited choice, pushing demand towards fresh instructions

This makes early January a surprisingly strong seller’s market.

Fresh Resolutions, Fresh Starts

New Year’s resolutions often include:

Moving closer to family
Upsizing
Downsizing
Finding a home with better work-from-home space
Securing a school place before September

These lifestyle shifts turn browsing buyers into genuine, ready-to-act purchasers.

Movers Want to Beat the Spring Rush

Many buyers want to get ahead of:

The spring competition
Higher seasonal prices
Longer conveyancing timelines

Listing in January can help sellers secure a committed buyer before the market becomes busier and more competitive.

January is one of the best times to get in front of high-intent buyers.
If you’re considering a move this year, getting ahead now can help you beat the spring rush and make the most of heightened early-year demand.

We’re here to help you start 2026 with clarity and confidence.