Listing Your Property This Boxing Day? Here's What You Need to Know!
Oakley Director, David Beaken Shares 5 Reasons to Avoid the "Boxing Day Bonanza" property craze.
Every year, the property market buzzes with talk of the “Boxing Day Bonanza.” We hear claims like, “It’s the highest viewing day of the year,” or, “If you want to sell your property, Boxing Day is the time to get online.”
But is there any truth to this?
In my opinion: No, there isn’t.
Here are five reasons why...
1. Does It Work? Not Really.
Let’s start with the basics: Does the Boxing Day Bonanza actually work? In my opinion, the simple answer is no. If it did, property portals would record their highest sales agreed data in January following the event. However, a leading portal told us that in 2024 November was the highest conversion rate but generally, it is in the Spring which does not suggest a January sales surge. High viewings online don’t automatically translate to offers or sales.
2. Your Property Could Become “Where’s Wally”
It’s true that property portals experience a spike in views on Boxing Day. But here’s the catch: those views are just that - views, not guaranteed buyers. In fact, Boxing Day has now become the day when the most properties go live online. This means your property faces fierce competition, making it harder to stand out. Imagine your home as a tiny Wally in a crowded Where’s Wally book. Do you want your property fighting for attention in such a crowded marketplace?
3. Timing Is Everything: First Impressions Matter
Marketing a property online is just the start. The real magic happens when agents convert enquiries into viewings, viewings into offers, and offers into successful sales. At Oakley, we pride ourselves on having the best teams in Sussex to manage this process. But here’s the problem with Boxing Day listings: most agents aren’t fully operational during the holiday period with skeleton staff. Many enquiries are left unattended, and the leads are often cold by the time someone follows up - days or even a week later.
While I admire agents who put in the effort to work over the holidays, work-life balance is crucial for maintaining high performance. A refreshed team in January is far more effective than a frazzled one working through Christmas.
4. A Poor First Date for Your Listing
First impressions are everything, especially when buyers are skimming through dozens of properties online. High-quality photos, engaging videos, and attention-grabbing descriptions are essential to making your property stand out. But timing also plays a key role. Listing a property just days before the end of the year instantly “dates” it. Buyers might see a listing date of December 2024 and think, “This property’s been on the market since last year,” even if it’s only been a few days.
5. The Best Time to Sell? Is it December?
Ask any estate agent about the best time to sell, and most will agree: it’s usually Spring. Why? Spring brings better weather, more daylight, and properties tend to look their best. It’s also the perfect time for families - who make up 65% of UK homeowners to plan their move, ensuring they’re settled by summer and ready for the next school year.
Market conditions aside, there is no 'bad time' time to sell, it all depends on your personal circumstances, but, December is widely regarded as one of the least desirable times to sell.
So Why Does Boxing Day Bonanza Exist?
If Boxing Day isn’t ideal for selling, why do so many agents promote it? The answer lies in marketing and targets. Corporate agencies often use this tactic to hit their end-of-year listing quotas, even if it’s not in the client’s best interest.
Independent agents may feel pressured to follow suit, fearing they’ll miss out if they don’t participate. But ultimately, this trend benefits the portals more than the clients. It’s a clever strategy to keep portals front of mind and agents quoting their stats.
Is There A Better Way? Discreet Marketing with Oakley
At Oakley, we understand that some sellers want to take action in December without compromising future marketing opportunities. That’s why we offer a discreet marketing programme.
This approach involves preparing your property for sale with professional photographs, videos, descriptions, and details - before introducing it to our database of pre-qualified buyers. If a sale isn’t secured, we can launch the property on the portals in the new year, maximising its visibility at the right time.
In Summary
The Boxing Day Bonanza might sound tempting, but it’s not the magic solution it’s made out to be. By waiting until the new year and using smarter marketing strategies, you can give your property the attention it deserves - without getting lost in the crowd.
If you’re considering selling your home, let’s have a chat about the best approach for you.
In the meantime, sign up for our Heads Up Property Alerts and see properties before they hit the property portals!
Let's get started..