Landlords Sign Up To Our Monthly Newsletter


The Truth About The Property Market at Christmas

Date Published 08 December 2025

Most people think there are two periods every year when the property market slows down regardless of outside economic forces. In the summertime, holidays and school breaks jump to the top of the priority list and plans for buying or selling homes drop down. It's an annual seasonal dip in activity that is often reflected by a drop in asking prices too.

Likewise, most people think that December is a quiet time of year for estate agents as everyone is concentrating on getting ready for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Often the only ones thinking about moving in December are those who have been waiting for a completion date and now want to be in their new home in time for the holidays!

As with many things in life there are two sides to the story, so here's the truth about the property market at Christmas...

Year's end

For almost every business things wind down as Christmas draws near. It's actually very different if you're an estate agent, although of course we're only human no matter what most people might think!

We have the usual office parties and close up shop for the actual holidays themselves. There are fewer viewings by potential buyers, so that's another thing that gives a general perception of the market slowing down.

However, what most people don't take into account is that January is always an extremely busy time for buying and selling property. Once the festive season is behind us and the New Year has been rung in, everyone who has put their moving plans on hold starts to take things very seriously indeed.

New Year

In fact things often start to pick up in terms of online searches for homes as early as Boxing Day, though it's not until January that enquiries really start to pour in and viewings start to be arranged.

For sellers it's always a positive time because demand goes up and if your asking price is competitive you can stand out in a crowded but busy market.

This is why we're always busy in the run up to Christmas, because we are preparing marketing materials and making sure everything else is in place for those sellers whose homes are 'going live' early in January.

Other sellers who are looking to get moving after the festive fuss has settled down often ask us to visit for a valuation in December, so that's another way we're always busy too. Of course it's a great time to show off your home and also something that makes our job even more enjoyable at this time of year.

Moving on

As mentioned last month, here at Matthew Anthony the New Year really does ring in the changes for us as we'll be in our new offices and taking on exciting new challenges.

If you'd like to chat about putting your home on the market as early as possible in the New Year, call 01903 608080 or email us.

We'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Matthew Anthony incorporating Stafford Johnson