More commonly associated with leftover grazing and TV reruns, Boxing Day is not a day when we expect to get a lot done. The maximum energy one expects to exert is in getting a blast of fresh air on a walk to the pub or, at a push, a schlep down the motorway to see your in-laws. Sure, the Boxing Day sales always ignite a flurry of excitement, but the ‘Boxing Day Boom’ refers to something much more significant than the purchase of a discounted blender.
The Boxing Day Boom is a phenomenon that sees a vast rise in traffic on property sites. In fact, the day after Christmas is, across the board, the biggest traffic spike of the year for the majority of UK estate agents. In 2022, the property portal Zoopla's website traffic increased by a whopping 70% on Boxing Day.
So, why do we see such a vast surge in search on a day generally associated with thumb-twiddling and mindless snacking? There are several theories. Firstly, the beginning of the year has always been a popular time to sell a house. The ‘New Year, New Me’ attitude is so entrenched that people are keen to uproot and refresh not just their gym routine or interiors, but their house too. Daydreaming and aspiring play a big part in all search traffic, and the end of the year tends to get our ambitions going. “By next year we'll be in the countryside", “by next year we'll have that extra bathroom”, “by next year we'll have downsized to something more manageable”: we're all guilty of wanting to see change for the coming calendar year.
Also, there's nothing like spending a few days inside your house (usually with too many guests and too little fridge space) to spark your desires for something bigger, better or just different. It's a trend that took hold during the COVID-19 lockdown, where plenty of time in the house ultimately led to interior designers and estate agents finding themselves busier than ever, with requests to repaint, redesign or relocate. This period of downtime also sees a rise in screen time more generally, with most of us indulging in a little extra time online, whether that's on Vinterior, 1st Dibs or The Modern House.
Another reason for the surge is that the end of the year brings with it a rush to get houses ready for sale ‘before the new year.’ As with all forms of competition, it makes sense to get ahead of the game. Houses are primped and painted, pictures are snapped and estate agents often try to make sure everything is ready to go pre-January, which means that by Boxing Day, the property portals are bursting with purchase opportunities.
Whatever the reason, if you're planning to sell your house next year, it seems wise to get everything in shape before the fruitful Betwixtmas period, so you can have it online over the festive period and ready for viewings as soon as estate agents return to work (for some that's between Christmas, whilst others may wait until January). A survey shows that 88% of estate agents work right up until Christmas Eve, so if you're wily you'll be able to get your house out there just in the nick of time.
