Spike in online searches on Dec. 26 forecast to jump-start 2026 home moves
Another pronounced “Boxing Day Bounce” in housing market activity is expected this year, with millions of prospective buyers and renters predicted to go online on Dec. 26 in search of their next home.
Propertymark, a professional body for estate and letting agents, noted that the day is forecast to be among the busiest of the year for property portals and agent marketing, with early 2026 moves already in planning.
In recent years, Boxing Day has become a key point in the housing calendar. Once Christmas Day is over and families are together, many households begin to focus on their housing plans for the coming year. With more time spent on phones, tablets and laptops, estate and letting agents have reported higher levels of online traffic, search activity and enquiries, as well as early viewing requests for January.
“Most years, Boxing Day marks the true start of the new housing cycle,” said Nathan Emerson (pictured right), chief executive of Propertymark. “Once the festive excitement has passed, people turn their attention to the year ahead, and moving home is often right at the top of that list. We expect to see an increase in online searches, enquiries, and valuation requests as consumers prepare to act early in 2026.”
For mortgage intermediaries, the seasonal uplift typically feeds into a larger pool of potential purchasers, movers and landlords. Advisers may see more clients seeking affordability assessments, product comparisons and agreement-in-principle decisions as initial online interest turns into active applications.
Why Boxing Day matters for the market
Industry data indicate that property search platforms often record some of their highest visitor numbers on Dec. 26, as consumers begin to explore sale and rental options for the year ahead.
Sellers who list or refresh properties before Christmas can gain early exposure to motivated buyers aiming to complete a move in the new year, while landlords can target tenants planning relocations tied to job changes, new contracts or other January reset points.
Market commentators suggest that this alignment of timing and intent can create momentum, provided new listings, marketing campaigns and sales processes are in place when attention peaks.
Outlook for 2026
With interest rates stabilising and signs of improving sentiment among borrowers and investors, Propertymark expects a busy start to 2026 in both the sales and lettings sectors.
For mortgage professionals, any sustained Boxing Day uplift may translate into a stronger enquiry flow in the first quarter, particularly from households that delayed moving decisions during the recent period of higher rates.
“People use the festival period to reflect,” Emerson said. “With millions of people starting to look at property at the same time, it creates real momentum. The Boxing Day Bounce gives the market a strong launchpad for the year ahead.”
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