Rightmove says it’s seen record levels of Boxing Day activity, as home-hunters got ahead of a 2025 move.

It was the busiest ever Boxing Day for new seller activity, with a record number of new properties listed for sale by agents. The number of new properties coming to the market for sale was 26% higher than Boxing Day 2023, when the previous record was set.

This makes early 2025 look very much like a buyers’ market.

Traditionally, there is a bounce in home-moving activity on Boxing Day from one of the quietest days of the year in Christmas Day, which leads into the busy January moving season. 

The majority (46%) of homes listed by new sellers were mid-market, second stepper homes – consisting of three and four bed properties.

Over a third (35%) of homes listed for sale were smaller, typical first-time buyer type properties, and 18% were the largest homes at the top of the ladder.

The South East saw the most new properties coming to market, followed by the East of England and the South West.

Rightmove also recorded its busiest ever Boxing Day for visits to its platform, beating the previous record set in 2021.

Total buyer demand, measured by the number of enquiries sent to estate agents about homes for sale, was also 20% higher on December 26 2024 than the same day in 2023, as potential buyers capitalised on more choice ahead of a 2025 move.

A Rightmove spokesperson says: “We’ve seen a record-breaking Boxing Day, not only for people turning to the Rightmove platform once the Christmas Day festivities are over, but also for home-movers taking action and getting ahead of a 2025 move. While it’s very early days, these first indicators are positive signs for a busy start to the year for agents.”