Every December, the phrase “Boxing Day Bounce” starts appearing across property headlines. It suggests that if your home is not live by Boxing Day, you have somehow missed the moment.
The truth is more reassuring than that.
Yes, Boxing Day does see a surge in online activity. But it is only part of a much bigger picture.
What the Boxing Day Bounce actually is
The Boxing Day Bounce refers to the spike in property searches and new listings that appear on Boxing Day. According to Rightmove, Boxing Day 2024 saw record traffic, with enquiries around 20 percent higher than the previous year.
That matters, because it tells us one thing very clearly. There are lots of motivated buyers browsing over the festive period and into the New Year.
Why Boxing Day works, but January works too
Many people have time on their hands over Christmas. They start thinking seriously about change. A new home. A fresh start. Different schools. More space.
But not everyone is ready to list straight away, and that is absolutely fine.
What we see year after year is that buyer activity stays strong throughout January. In fact, January often brings a wave of newly active buyers who have made firm decisions over Christmas and are ready to act.
If your home is not quite ready for a Boxing Day launch, you are not behind. You are simply joining the market at a point when demand remains high.
Timing matters less than preparation
In our experience, homes do not sell because they launch on a particular day. They sell because they are priced correctly, presented well and marketed properly.
A home that is well prepared and accurately priced will attract attention whether it launches on Boxing Day, mid January or early spring.
To put it into context, last year we agreed a sale on a home on Christmas Eve. Not because of the date, but because the property was right for the buyer and priced sensibly.
Our honest advice to Thetford sellers
If you are ready for a Boxing Day launch, great. It can be a strong moment to go live.
If you are not ready, do not rush. January and February consistently bring serious buyers who are actively looking and ready to proceed.
What matters far more than the date is getting the fundamentals right. Pricing, presentation and marketing will always outperform trying to chase a headline trend.
If you are thinking about selling and would like a clear, realistic valuation, we are happy to help whenever the time feels right for you.
And if you know someone who is worrying they have missed the moment, feel free to share this with them.
Article by Andrew Overman | Partner | Location Location East
