Traditionally, many homeowners have preferred to wait until spring to put their property on the market, with longer days, brighter weather, and the buzz that comes just before the summer holiday season. While spring may be busy, it isn’t always the most strategic time to sell- in fact, the best opportunities can often be found when fewer people are competing for attention.
That’s why December can be a smart and surprisingly effective time to showcase your home. We’ve gathered some compelling reasons why launching your property with Jan Forster Estates during the festive season could help you attract the right buyers and achieve a successful sale.
Boxing Day Boom
There’s no denying that a strong online presence is crucial for a successful property sale in today’s digital age- and this advantage becomes even more pronounced during the festive season. Rightmove reported its busiest ever Boxing Day in 2024, with visits to the platform nearly doubling, showing an 87% increase between Christmas Day and Boxing Day. In addition, the number of new properties listed for sale on Boxing Day was 26% higher than the previous year, while buyer enquiries jumped by 20%, highlighting the surge in motivated buyers actively searching for homes.
Our expert team understands the immense value of timing your property launch to coincide with this peak online activity. That’s why we offer you the opportunity to book a free appointment now, enabling your home to be perfectly staged and ready so that it can go live on Boxing Day- maximizing exposure at the very moment demand is at its highest, all without adding stress to your festive celebrations.
Prominent Presence
But why is this time of year so active for the property market? While Christmas is famously a whirlwind of festivities, it also offers an unusual amount of downtime. As The Guild puts it, “people have more free time and motivation to make a change in time for the New Year.” For many, those quieter festive moments spark big conversations. Whether it’s dreaming up fresh plans over the dinner table, testing out a new gadget and realising more space is needed, or simply reflecting on what the next year should look like. Surrounded by family and friends for advice and encouragement, decisions often move quickly from thought to action.
Add to that the fact that online activity remains high over the holidays. With people scrolling their feeds in between celebrations, it becomes a golden window to showcase your property. With fewer new listings competing for attention, your home has the chance to stand out and capture serious buyers who are ready to make their move before the New Year.
Motivation to Move
Although demand for desirable homes remains strong year-round, the festive season offers a unique advantage for both buyers and sellers. Serious movers often see December as the perfect moment to act while much of their competition is distracted by celebrations- meaning less crowding in the market and more focused interest on available properties. For sellers, that translates to fewer casual browsers and more genuine enquiries, as those viewing during this time are typically highly motivated and ready to proceed.
Rush Ready
Many homeowners choose to delay putting their property on the market until after New Year, preferring to enjoy the festive season before making a fresh start. However, holding off could mean missing out on one of the busiest online search periods of the year- the days between Christmas and New Year, when motivated buyers are actively browsing. Waiting can also place your home in a more crowded marketplace come January, making it harder to stand out.
By preparing your property now, you can choose the perfect launch date and be ready to take advantage of reduced competition. Even simply booking your FREE, no-obligation valuation today puts you a step ahead, ensuring you’re market-ready when it matters most.
Price Point
As we’ve highlighted, holding off until the traditional spring surge may mean facing more competition. While demand is strong at that time, supply also rises sharply, creating a busier and more competitive market. By choosing to sell in December, you’re positioning your home in a period with fewer listings, which can help it attract more focused attention, and potentially secure a stronger selling price than in peak season. That could leave you with more funds available when searching for your next dream home, giving you an advantage in your own buying journey.
Ultimately, there are many factors that can contribute to a successful sale in December, but in the current climate, the market is firmly in favour of sellers. Whatever your preferred timescale, we’ll work to ensure your home sells swiftly and smoothly. If the festive season feels too busy to commit fully, you can still get ahead by instructing us now- we’ll prepare your property, line up potential viewings, and be ready to launch at the ideal moment in the New Year. That proactive approach is what transforms a house sale into a smooth, stress-free move- and that’s the difference between house and home.
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