Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, has commented on Rightmove’s latest data, which reveals a record-breaking level of buyer interest on Boxing Day. Highlighting the day’s growing role as the unofficial launch of the home-moving season, Emerson points to strong pent-up demand from buyers already planning their next move in 2026.
“Rightmove’s latest data underlines just how important Boxing Day has become as the unofficial starting point of the home-moving season. The fact that this was the busiest Boxing Day ever for visits reflects the strong pent-up demand from buyers who are actively planning their next move in 2026.
What’s particularly striking is the breadth of homes attracting attention, from high-end family houses and lifestyle properties to more modest, well-presented homes suited to first-time buyers. This reinforces what Propertymark member agents are seeing on the ground: buyers are not all chasing the same type of property, but are instead prioritising lifestyle, space, location, and value within their individual budgets.
However, 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.”
