The New Year’s focus on resolutions and fresh starts means that many potential buyers will be considering their next move – and that makes January a great time to list your property for sale.
Early new year bounces
The extent of how powerful this time of year can be is evidenced by the post-Christmas surge in activity the sector typically experiences. Rightmove saw a record-breaking bounce in interest on Boxing Day 2024 with a 23% increase in the number of new properties listed for sale compared to the same day last year. It is predicting another bounce for Boxing Day 2025 in its next house price index update.
This kickstart to the New Year rush is due to several factors. Christmas hosting may have persuaded homeowners that it’s finally time for somewhere bigger, or they may simply be firming up goals that they only dreamed about in 2025 as they set their new year resolutions.
However, this is a bounce that many expect to last throughout the early new year and beyond as improving economic factors play their part in encouraging more buyers and sellers to market.
Certainty following the budget
Many potential buyers paused buying plans last Autumn due to the uncertainty surrounding the contents of the Autumn Budget. Rumours of property tax rises had begun circulating from August. However, with the budget taking place at the end of November, the delay between rumour and confirmation had an extended negative impact on both activity and pricing.
The certainty post-announcement has had a more positive effect, with Rightmove reporting signs of an early post-Budget rebound even in December, including for higher-end properties.
Improved affordability
As well as certainty around the budget, affordability continues to improve. December saw the latest cut in the base rate, now down to 3.75%. Interest rates are expected to continue to fall during 2026, which will bring mortgage rates down further, too. This is alongside fairly stagnant house prices last year, a continuing increase in average wages and a relaxation of lending criteria.
A spring-like step in attitudes
It may still be winter, but with spring around the corner it’s yet another prompt for new beginnings that should get you considering a January listing. Deep cleans and radical decluttering are typical spring clean jobs that can be done earlier than normal to prepare your property for sale in January.
Such effort is worth it, too. The more determined mindset of January buyers can mean that they will make decisions faster, eager to get into properties as soon as they can. Family buyers in particular will be looking for a summer move, which is more realistic if they have at least started looking in January.
Less competition
Traditionally, January is usually a quieter time for listings because some sellers prefer to catch their breath after Christmas chaos. It can mean that a January listing will boost the visibility of your property on portals and with local agents. With less competition you are also more likely to land that sale.
Proctors is an independent network of individual estate agent businesses with branches in Beckenham, Bromley, Park Langley, Petts Wood, Shirley and West Wickham. We’ve been buying, selling and letting in these areas since 1946. Get in touch to find out how we can help you with your property requirements.