For many of us, Boxing Day is all about leftovers, family films and a well-earned sit-down after the Christmas rush. But increasingly, there’s something else happening on sofas up and down the country: people are quietly scrolling through property sites and planning their next move.
In fact, the UK property market now sees a huge surge in activity on Boxing Day, with Rightmove recently reporting its busiest ever 26th December for new seller activity and buyer enquiries, with around 26% more homes listed and 20% more buyer enquiries than the year before. Source: Rightmove
If you’re already thinking, “Maybe it’s time we moved in 2026…”, Boxing Day can be the perfect moment to start turning those thoughts into a plan.
In this guide, we’ll look at:
- Why Boxing Day has become such a big date for home-movers
- How to make the most of browsing for homes over the festive break
- What to do before you fall in love with a property
- How a Just Mortgages adviser can help you get “move-ready” for the New Year
Why Boxing Day is now a big day for home-movers
Over the past few years, Boxing Day has turned into a key date in the property calendar. Real-time data from the UK’s biggest property portal shows:
- Record numbers of homes coming to market on 26th December
- A sharp jump in visits and enquiries to estate agents between Christmas Day and Boxing Day
- Strong signs that many buyers use the festive break to get ahead of a move in the New Year Source: Rightmove
In other words: Boxing Day browsing isn’t just a daydream – it can be the first serious step towards your next home.
5 reasons to start your home search on Boxing Day
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There’s often more choice
Because so many sellers now choose to list their property on Boxing Day, you can see a wave of fresh listings in one go. That’s especially true for popular three- and four-bed “second stepper” homes, which made up nearly half of Boxing Day listings in the most recent data. Source: Mortgage Solutions
More choice means a better chance of spotting a home that genuinely suits your needs and budget.
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You get a head start on the New Year rush
Many people talk about moving “in the New Year” – but those who start serious research over Christmas are often weeks ahead by the time January properly gets going.
By using Boxing Day to refine your budget, shortlist areas and understand what’s realistic, you’re better prepared to book viewings quickly once agents are fully back at their desks.
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You have time to think – not just react
The festive break can give you:
- Space to reflect on what’s working (and what isn’t) in your current home
- Time with your partner or family to talk through priorities
- A chance to compare different areas, schools and commute options at a relaxed pace
Instead of rushing into the first property that catches your eye in January, you can make more considered choices.
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You can align your move with your wider plans
Whether it’s upsizing for a growing family, moving closer to work, or planning ahead for later life, starting your search on Boxing Day gives you a long runway to plan a move that fits around school terms, work changes and other big life events.
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You can get your finances ready while others are just browsing
Lots of people browse property sites over Christmas. Fewer take the next step of understanding what they can actually afford and getting their mortgage plans in place.
That’s where speaking to a mortgage adviser early can really make a difference.
How to make the most of Boxing Day home browsing
If you’re going to spend part of Boxing Day on property sites, here’s how to make that time count.
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Start with your budget, not just your wish-list
Before you fall in love with a kitchen island or a bay window, it helps to get a rough idea of:
- Your deposit – savings, equity from your current home, or a mix of both
- Your comfortable monthly payment, not just the maximum you think you can stretch to
- Any debts or credit commitments that might affect how much you can borrow
A mortgage adviser can help you understand how lenders view your income and outgoings, and what that could mean for your borrowing options.
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Use search tools and alerts to your advantage
On the big property portals, you can:
- Set saved searches for your preferred areas and price range
- Use filters for things like garden, parking, number of bedrooms
- Set up email or app alerts so you hear about new properties straight away
Do the setup work on Boxing Day, and the system will keep working for you all through January.
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Shortlist – but don’t rush to offer
Create a sensible shortlist of homes that:
- Fit your must-have criteria
- Are realistically within budget
- Look solid in terms of location, layout and condition
Then, once agents reopen fully, you’ll be ready to book viewings for your top choices rather than starting the search from scratch.
Why it pays to speak to a mortgage adviser early
Even if you’re not quite ready to offer on a property, speaking to a mortgage adviser early can put you in a much stronger position.
A Just Mortgages adviser can:
- Talk through your goals – whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving home, remortgaging or investing in buy-to-let
- Help you understand how much you might be able to borrow and what your monthly payments could look like
- Explain different types of mortgages and what might suit your situation
- Help you work towards an Agreement in Principle, so you can show sellers and estate agents you’re serious and prepared
With mortgage rates and the wider market still shifting, having someone on your side who understands what’s happening right now can be really valuable.
Your Boxing Day home-moving checklist
If you want to use Boxing Day to kick-start your move, here’s a simple checklist:
- Review your current home
- What do you like?
- What no longer works for you?
- Talk honestly about your budget
- How much deposit do you have (or expect to have)?
- What monthly payment feels comfortable?
- Make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves
- Number of bedrooms
- Location and commute
- School catchments
- Garden / parking / work-from-home space
- Set up property alerts
- Save searches in your preferred areas
- Turn on alerts so you see new Boxing Day listings quickly
- Get mortgage advice lined up
- Book a conversation with a Just Mortgages adviser so you can move quickly when you find the right property
How Just Mortgages can help you get move-ready
At Just Mortgages, our advisers support thousands of people across the UK every year with their mortgage and protection needs, whether they’re buying for the first time, moving home or investing.
We can:
- Offer personal, one-to-one advice tailored to your circumstances
- Talk you through your options in clear, straightforward language
- Help you work out what you can afford before you start booking viewings
- Support you throughout the home-buying process, from initial chat to completion
You can contact us directly to connect with a local adviser in your area.
Ready to turn your Boxing Day browsing into a plan?
If this Boxing Day finds you scrolling through properties and imagining a fresh start in 2026, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Get in touch with Just Mortgages to speak to an adviser about your plans, your budget and your next steps. A short conversation now could help you feel much clearer and more confident when the right property appears.
Contact Just Mortgages
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