Do Houses Sell in December? A Guide for East London Home Sellers

House sales traditionally slow down in December until Christmas, followed by a rush of interest from Boxing Day onwards. All in all, it can be an interesting time to sell. With fewer homes coming to market in December, serious buyers face less competition – and motivated sellers can still complete quickly.  

However, there can be some variation across each property type and price bracket in East London. We explain why it’s not necessarily true that Christmas is a bad time to sell a house, and answer your questions about whether houses sell in December. 

Is December a good time to sell a house?  

Let’s look at what it involves if you choose to sell your home around Christmas time, including some of the advantages and obstacles you’ll face. 

Advantages of selling in December  

There’s less seller competition when you list in November and December, and fewer casual browsers too. With more motivated buyers searching the property market, and fewer properties to choose from, there’s a chance that you could be under offer or exchanged before the new year.  

Challenges of selling over the Christmas period  

With the festivities in full swing and businesses on holiday, there can be fewer viewing slots around Christmas week itself, and slower solicitor and conveyancer turnaround over the holidays. Sellers also need to make extra effort to keep their home viewing-ready over the festive period.  

The Boxing Day bounce: what east London sellers should know  

The ‘Boxing Day bounce’ is the annual surge in buyer activity on property portals in the days immediately after Christmas – and it’s picked up the pace in recent years. 26^th December 2025 marked Rightmove’s busiest ever Boxing Day, followed by a 67% rise in buyer enquiries and 143% rise in listings in the five days after Christmas. 

If you’re an East London seller targeting the bounce, consider getting your home ready to list before Boxing Day, to make the most of that rush of interest. 

How to sell your house before Christmas  

1. Price it correctly from day one. Overpricing wastes the crucial low-competition window, and deters buyers. Research from Zoopla found that every 5% over the local market average lowers your chances of selling by 5%.  
2. Get photos, floorplan and EPC sorted early. Book the energy performance certificate (EPC) inspection and all other essential appointments well before the pre-Christmas rush, to make sure photographers and assessors are available.  
3. Keep viewing availability flexible. With buyers, sellers and estate agents alike juggling busy schedules ahead of the holidays, include some evenings and weekends in December. And of course, this may mean sacrificing more of your own time than you’d ideally want to. 
4. Instruct a solicitor early and confirm their office’s holiday closure dates. Make sure you have a clearly defined schedule to work around, so nothing stalls unexpectedly.  

Is it better to wait until January to sell?  

January listing offers some advantages for sellers, but December can be a good time to sell too. Consider the advantages of putting your property on the market ready for the Boxing Day bounce on the property portals, or coming to the market with a fresh listing in January.  

December can offer lower competition, while the days after Christmas and the New Year can see portal traffic picking up significantly. Take some time to weigh up your options – and don’t forget, local estate agents will be happy to offer guidance. 

Tips for marketing your property during the festive period  

Aim for tasteful, minimal festive styling to strike a balance between warm and welcoming, and simple enough to showcase the property itself.  

Stage your home simply in December by avoiding:  

• over-decorating, which hides the property’s features  
• bolder decorations, as potential buyers can have strong opinions about them 
• oversized Christmas trees, which can make the room look smaller 

December sellers can making the most of the season by:  

• highlighting cosy, seasonally relevant features like fireplaces 
• adding a simple but inviting throw to the sofa 
• welcoming buyers with a wreath on the front door 

Scheduling photography in daylight hours requires carefully planning, given the shorter December days, but can be worthwhile. You could also arrange to have photos taken before you decorate, to avoid them dating quickly.  

Last but not least, make sure the listing stays live and visible through the Christmas week, when portal traffic is quiet, before it resumes sharply on Boxing Day.  

Ready to sell over the festive period? 

If you make the most of its hidden advantages, December can be a strong time to list your house. Thinking of selling your East London house over the holidays? Contact us to find out more, or book a free valuation with Lint Group ahead of the Boxing Day bounce.