According to Rightmove's data, the number of new properties brought to the market on Boxing Day last year increased by 173% compared to 2019 and by 46% compared to 2021. This suggests that homebuyer activity typically rebounds after Christmas, prompting sellers to release properties just before the new year to capitalize on the peak of potential buyer interest.

Tim, a representative from Rightmove, noted that Boxing Day is a popular time for sellers to list properties as it marks the beginning of the new year, a time when buyers start planning and searching for new homes. He emphasized that even though buyer activity gradually increases after the Christmas holiday, properties listed around Boxing Day often attract more attention.

According to Rightmove's analysis, this year's number of new property listings is expected to reach a historic high. What makes this trend particularly significant? After observing property transaction activities from last Boxing Day to January, Rightmove found that one of the main reasons for the significant increase in new listings is the substantial growth in buyer demand.

During the same period last year, the number of inquiries from buyers to property agents about homes for sale increased by a whopping 250% compared to the previous year. This reflects a significant increase in buyer browsing and inquiry behavior between Christmas and the new year, prompting sellers to meet this peak demand early.

In the period from Boxing Day to January 1, Rightmove also noticed that the number of people contacting property agents to estimate their property's value reached the highest level since September 2022, an increase of 29% compared to the same period in 2021. This indicates that not only are buyers active, but sellers preparing to sell their homes are also taking action.

Rightmove emphasizes that one factor distinguishing this year's surge in new property listings from previous years is that some sellers who had initially planned to sell may have been waiting, possibly due to the earlier chaos in the mortgage market this year. At this moment, they are eager to see a rebound in the market this year and hope to seize this favorable opportunity.

Additionally, fixed mortgage rates are gradually decreasing from their summer peak, with the current lowest rates slightly below 4.5%. This makes buyers more motivated to act at this time, and sellers entering the market next year still have time to capture the renewed activity of buyers.

In North London, a property agent, Jeremy, mentioned that he is not surprised if the number of listings on Boxing Day doubles, as many properties are already prepared to be listed on that day. He points out that this year's decline in inflation, reduced mortgage expenditure, and the continuously strong job market provide buyers with more confidence, injecting new momentum into the market's activity.