Record numbers of potential home buyers and sellers took a break from crackers and Cluedo with the in-laws to browse properties on Rightmove during the festive period in what has been dubbed the Boxing Day bounce.
Data from Rightmove suggests visits to the property website on Boxing Day 2025 surpassed the previous record set in 2024, as buyers have been boosted by falling mortgage rates and lower house price growth.
User numbers doubled from the quietest day of the year Christmas Day into Boxing Day, a bigger bounce in visits than last year, Rightmove said.
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The number of people sending enquiries to estate agents to go and view homes to buy a property for sale also increased by 67% in the five days after Christmas compared with the five days before Christmas
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The figures show that the number of new properties being listed for sale on Rightmove more than doubled in the five days after Christmas compared to the five days before Christmas
The south east was the busiest region for listings, while the most popular type of properties to be listed for sale were typical first-time buyer homes with up to two bedrooms.
It is unclear if users are genuinely looking to buy a property or sell a home or they may just be browsing.
Whatever their motives, the visitors had a range of interests.
The most popular estate agent listings viewed on Rightmove during Boxing Day range from cheap first-time buyer homes to million-pound properties.
Steve Pimblett, Rightmove’s chief data officer, suggests that this could signal a busy start to the year for the housing market.
He said: “There’s a huge variety of homes in Boxing Day’s most viewed list, highlighting the different types of buyers that are gearing up for a potential 2026 move.
“As usual, there are some stunning large family homes with luxury features on the list, but there are also some really well-presented smaller properties suited for potential first-time buyers. Homes from England, Scotland and Wales all make the top ten, and there’s also a mix of urban hotspots with commuter links into major cities and homes near lots of green space with privacy.”
Broadwoodkelly, Winkleigh - £1,375,000
Fancy a home with a duck pond and swimming pool? This four-bedroom farmhouse in Winkleigh, Devon, was the most viewed listing on Boxing Day.
It comes with an attached two-bedroom cottage, an adjoining annexe, a detached barn conversion and an indoor heated pool.
The property is set in approximately 13 acres with pasture, stables, woodland, stream borders and stunning landscaped gardens including a large duck pond with a central island.
The 4,600 square foot property has been on the market since September.
High Street, Nunney - £500,000
This three-bedroom terraced property was only listed on Boxing Day and is up for auction with a reserve price of £500,000.
It is based in the Somerset village of Nunney and features a living room with a fireplace and log burner leading into a rustic kitchen.
Church Street, Dunmow - £475,000
Another new Boxing Day listing, you could buy this Grade II listed Georgian terraced house for £475,000.
It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms across 1,062 square feet and is based on what is described as a quiet road in the Essex market town of Dunnow.
Lahaina, Linden Chase, Sevenoaks- £1,250,000
Browsers liked this relatively new listing in Sevenoaks, on the market since 21 November 2025, which offers six bedrooms across 2,100 square feet for £1.25 million.
The house sits on five acres and was built in the 19th century but has been fully refurbished with modern features including a conservatory.
It is described as ideal for families that “love to walk to school and the station,” with trains that are only 20 minutes into London
Scar Lane, Huddersfield - £190,000
Described as ideal for a first-time buyer, this three-bed home was reduced on Boxing Day to £190,000.
The end-of-terrace property has been fully renovated with a new kitchen and even has a cellar.
South Road, Twickenham- £1,000,000
A new Boxing Day listing, this four-bedroom end-of-terrace home in Twickenham was among the most popular for views on Rightmove.
It has almost 1,800 square feet of space across three levels and is described as being within easy access of Twickenham and Teddington town centres, Fulwell Station and some excellent schools
We also checked and it is just a 20 minute drive to the Allianz Stadium for rugby fans.
Trebeddau Farm, Mountain Hare, Merthyr Tydfil - £675,000
This new Boxing Day listing is accessed via its own lane.
Based in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, the 2,734 square foot home boasts five bedrooms, a triple garage, and separate office space, all set on a plot of around one acre.
Glengall Lane, Ayr - £560,000
Buyers seem intrigued to find out more about this beautifully designed five-bedroom detached home in Ayr.
It is accessed via a private road and set within an exclusive woodland enclave, just minutes from the Scottish coast, Ayr town centre and the A77
Old Lodge Lane, Purley - £2,500,000
This luxury property in Purley, Croydon, has been on the market since September 2025 and at £2.5 million, it may deter those worried about the mansion tax charges coming in April 2028.
The property was built in just 2023 so offers plenty of contemporary design and luxurious family living across eight bedrooms and five bathrooms as well as two outbuildings for those who can afford it.
Everingham, York - £1,650,000
Set in the York countryside, Rightmove users had a strong interest in this four-bedroom renovated farmhouse that has been on the market since July 2025.
It offers 2,500 square feet of living space on approximately 8.5 acres.
The home also includes two glamping units consisting of a shepherd’s hut and gypsy wagon, a commercial tearoom with catering kitchen, customer toilets and carpark, equestrian facilities including railed paddocks, substantial stable block and all-weather ménage.
Nathan Emerson, chief executive of estate agency trade body Propertymark, suggests the Boxing Day activity reflects the strong pent-up demand from buyers who are actively planning their next move in 2026.
He added: “Strong online interest must be matched by confidence in the wider market. For this demand to translate into completed sales, buyers need certainty around affordability, supply, and the homebuying process itself.
“Improving housing delivery, supporting first-time buyers, and progressing much-needed reforms to make transactions quicker and less stressful will be critical to sustaining momentum as we move further into 2026.”
