House hunting over the feastive season

Once the Christmas dinner has been eaten and the tinsel has lost its sparkle many people use the few days between Christmas Day and New Year to imagine a new start in 2026 and often that includes a new home, so for conveyancing solicitors this can lead to a busy start to the year.

Christmas property searches

Although the property market slows in the run-up to Christmas, activity surges immediately afterwards - the so-called “Boxing Day bounce” - and many buyers use the holiday break to browse, shortlist and instruct a solicitor to get their house move on track ready for a pre-spring removal.

Just last year Rightmove recorded an 87% increase in visits between Christmas Day and Boxing Day and reported record levels of Boxing Day traffic and listings, up 26% on 2023.

Zoopla’s analysis has highlighted a roughly 50% surge in people looking for homes on Boxing Day and that all leads to a rush to get the right solicitor.

New Year New Home

January often sustains the momentum with new sales agreed up 16% in the first week of 2024. That demonstrates how much the festive browsing can convert into transactions once the new year begins.

“With all this activity, early instruction matters, so we always advise potential clients to have done their homework regarding property firm and searching for the right conveyancing solicitor; be proactive and ready!” said Residental Conveyancing Solicitor, Michelle Ong.

For anyone looking to make a move in the new year Michelle has some advice:

• Instruct early: ID and AML checks, document collection (title deeds, mortgage paperwork, leases, warranties, proof of funds) and initial search requests all take time. Even if the exchange/completion is weeks away, starting the file straight away reduces delays.
• Consider Complexity: If you don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to ask your conveyancer. Many clients misunderstand the difference between exchange and completion and there can be a timeline - exchange of contracts is the binding step; completion is when money and keys transfer.
• Mortgage offers: Lenders will often take longer for approvals around the holidays so if a client is viewing listings over Christmas with a view to buying in January then it’s prudent to get a mortgage decision-in-principle (DIP) and aim to have a full mortgage offer ready as early as possible.

“With electronic signatures and e-conveyancing tools, we can reduce delays and avoid postal holdups. If a buyer finds a property on Boxing Day and wants to move quickly then instruct solicitors immediately, the first two weeks of January are always very busy,” said Michelle Ong.

“Similarly, if a seller receives an acceptable offer over the Christmas break, they need instruct their conveyancer to prepare the draft contract pack at as soon as possible .”

How can we help?

For legal advice on selling a house, remortgaging or if you are first time buyers looking to get on the property ladder contact our conveyancing solicitors on 0161 785 3500 or email enquiries@pearsonlegal.co.uk.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Please note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.