Bigger Boxing Day bounce expected, as prices to rise 2% in 2026
- Average new seller asking prices fall by 1.8% (-£6,695) this month to £358,138. This larger than usual December drop means that prices are 0.6% (-£2,059) lower at the end of 2025 than in 2024
- Bigger than usual Rightmove Boxing Day Bounce expected, as those who paused due to Budget uncertainty to join the post-Christmas boost in home-moving activity:
- Very early signs of post-Budget rebound, with number of top-end London sellers up by 24% week-on-week
- The uncertainty and gloom caused by rumours of property tax rises in November’s Budget from as early as August contributed to more subdued activity and pricing in the second half of the year:
- The number of new sellers coming to market in the first half of 2025 was 9% ahead of the first half of 2024, which reversed to 4% below 2024 across the second half of this year
- Buyer demand was 3% ahead of 2024 across the first half of the year, but 6% behind in the second half
- It’s still been a more positive year overall for sales, with the number of sales agreed 3% higher than in 2024
- Improved buyer affordability and plenty of choice for buyers suggests a market more like the encouraging first half of this year rather than the second half in 2026, with Rightmove predicting that new seller asking prices will rise by 2%:
- The average two-year fixed rate is now 4.33% compared to 5.08% last year. With house prices now cheaper than a year ago, rising average wages and a relaxing of lending criteria, we predict an activity rebound to kick start 2026
Larger than average December monthly price drop of -1.8%
Average asking prices at the end of 2025 are 0.6% lower than last year
Rightmove predicts asking prices will rise by 2% in 2026
National average asking price
Dec 2025
£358,138
Nov 2025
£364,833
MoM change
-1.8%
National average asking price by market sector (excluding inner London)
First time buyers
£221,950
MoM change
-1.4%
Second-steppers
£334,297
MoM change
-1.8%
Top of the ladder
£642,131
MoM change
-2.4%
“Lower price growth supported buyer affordability and drove activity in the first half of the year, even after the April stamp duty deadline in England. In the second half of 2025, uncertainty caused by rumours of property tax changes in November’s Budget swirled, some from as early as August. This had an impact on pricing and activity, as sellers tried to entice nervous buyers. The market will soon benefit from the traditional boost in home-moving activity from Boxing Day. Rightmove’s Boxing Day Bounce is an annual event where we see many begin or resume their plans to move after the distraction of Christmas. With the turkey and trimmings barely off the table, each year we see people heading straight to Rightmove to browse the fresh listings for sale and imagine how different next Christmas could look.
“With market conditions supporting higher levels of activity , and a hopefully more certain economic environment, we forecast a better year for price growth in 2026 with a strong rebound in activity to kick start the year. However, with buyer choice remaining high, sellers will still need to come to the market at tempting prices to attract attention and do all that they can to ensure that their property is presented as well as possible. A more stable 2026 would be good for buyer confidence, which in turn would further boost activity levels, leading to a modest price increase.”
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove