The ‘Boxing Day Bounce’ That Could Supercharge London’s Housing Market

At Winkworth, our London offices are already seeing early signs that buyer confidence is returning now that Budget uncertainty has finally lifted, paving the way for renewed momentum throughout the capital’s housing market.

With speculation settled and January traditionally one of the most active periods for new listings, the stage is set for a significant uptick in activity driven by pent-up demand, clearer financial planning, and the usual spike in online searches that begins almost the moment Christmas dinner ends.

Budget Clarity Unlocks Suppressed Demand

This year’s Boxing Day bounce is likely to be more than a seasonal trend. Many prospective buyers paused their searches while rumours of property tax changes circulated in the run-up to the Budget.

Now that the detail is confirmed, confidence is returning.

Market sentiment shifts as buyers re-enter the arena

Across our Winkworth offices throughout London, we’re seeing a clear rise in committed buyer activity from those who had previously taken a “wait-and-see” approach. Now that tax policy has been clarified and no unexpected stamp duty changes have emerged, buyers are feeling far more confident to move forward — and that renewed certainty is translating directly into increased enquiries and offers.

The result?

• More offers being submitted
• Earlier-than-usual enquiries for January moves
• Fresh momentum in areas offering good-value stock

This resurgence signals that clarity, even when not universally popular, is often better for market activity than prolonged speculation.

Rightmove Predicts a Sharp Boxing Day Surge

Property portal data supports the theory. Rightmove consistently records a large increase in buyer activity on Boxing Day — and 2025 is expected to see an even bigger jump.

Rightmove property expert Colleen Babcock explains:

A survey of more than 10,000 potential movers revealed:

• Nearly 20% paused their plans waiting for the Budget outcome
• Many of those will restart their searches immediately after Christmas
• Budget-neutral buyers — the majority of the market — are set to become “Boxing Day bouncers”

What the New Policies Mean for London Buyers

The Budget confirmed a high-value council tax surcharge for homes over £2 million, taking effect from April 2028.

Key details include:

• Annual charges starting at £2,500 for properties over £2m
• Rising to £7,500+ for homes over £5m
• Applying to an estimated 100,000 properties, heavily concentrated in London

While this is significant for a slice of the luxury sector, the majority of London buyers remain unaffected, meaning the broader market can move forward without major disruption.

Why We Expect a Busy December and January

A rare set of market conditions is aligning:

• Seasonal momentum that traditionally boosts searches
• Renewed confidence after the Budget
• Attractive pricing across many London postcodes
• Increased stock levels, giving buyers more choice

Together, these factors point to a “delayed autumn bounce” flowing directly into a strong early 2026 market.

For sellers, this creates an exceptional window: demand rises, yet supply typically remains tight until mid-January.

Winkworth’s View: Momentum Is Returning

At Winkworth, we anticipate: