Why You Should List Your Property Before Christmas: Tapping into the “Boxing Day Bounce”
Economy | 21 Nov 25, 00:00
In recent years, data from major UK portals such as Zoopla has revealed a striking seasonal surge in activity immediately after Christmas - the so-called “Boxing Day bounce” - which provides a compelling reason to get your property listed before the holiday fortnight. Even though PropertyGibraltar.com does not publish its own portal-traffic data, the same cultural and behavioural dynamics likely apply, making it a smart strategic move to come to market early. Here’s a deeper look at why.
The Zoopla “Boxing Day Bounce”: What the Data Says
Zoopla’s own research shows dramatic trends in buyer and seller activity around and immediately after Christmas.
Listings Surge
Since pre-pandemic 2019, the number of homes listed on Boxing Day has nearly tripled (+173 %).
In 2024, Zoopla recorded its busiest-ever Boxing Day for new listings, with the volume of property coming to market up 26% compared to Boxing Day 2023.
Buyer Demand Soars
According to the same research, buyer enquiries more than tripled (+250 %) from Christmas Day to Boxing Day.
In the 2024 Boxing Day bounce, Zoopla saw 20% more enquiries than the same day the previous year.
On top of that, Zoopla’s real-time data captured a 273 % jump in buyer demand between Christmas Day and Boxing Day in their monthly December 2024 report.
These statistics underline a well-established behavioural pattern: buyers, having paused their search for the holiday itself, return en masse once festivities calm down - ready to engage, browse, and make plans for the new year.
Why This Matters for Sellers in Gibraltar
You might wonder: “That’s great for the UK, but what about Gibraltar?” While there are no publicly available figures for PropertyGibraltar.com specifically, there are strong reasons to believe the same seasonal dynamics apply - here’s why:
Cultural affinity: Gibraltar shares much of its property-seeking culture with the UK - similar buying cycles, Christmas traditions, and decision-making rhythms.
Expat and UK-linked market: Many local residents, or potential buyers, come from or maintain strong ties with the UK; they are accustomed to the UK property market’s seasonality.
Cross-portal exposure: Many prospective buyers will search on UK-based platforms (or follow similar rhythms), especially expatriates or second-home investors.
Therefore, even without local published data, it’s reasonable - and strategically sound - to anticipate a comparable post-Christmas surge in interest for Gibraltar properties.
Why Listing Before Christmas Is Crucial
Given this backdrop, there are clear tactical advantages to listing your property before Christmas, rather than waiting for January:
Be among the first seen
Properties that go live before Christmas are ready and visible when the Boxing Day surge begins. As new listings flood in on Boxing Day, yours is already primed to capture early attention.Capitalise on pent-up demand
Many buyers pause their property search just before Christmas; once the holidays are over, they return with renewed motivation. With your listing already active, you catch that wave.Set the tone for January
January is widely known as a busy month for moves - but the momentum often begins earlier. By listing before Christmas, you're not playing catch-up; you're riding the front of the wave.Less competition (relatively)
Some sellers delay until the New Year, hoping for fresh activity. By being on the market before then, you potentially face less competition in that critical early surge.
The Importance of “Eyeballs”: Why Reach Matters
It’s not enough just to be on the market - you need visibility. At Richardsons, we understand that the more eyeballs your property attracts during this peak window, the greater the chance for strong engagement, viewing interest, and (ultimately) offers.
That’s why, when you list with us, your property is featured not just on propertygibraltar.com, but also on Zoopla, FTProperties, Countrylife Properties, Idealista and other relevant platforms. This multi-channel exposure ensures maximum reach to prospective buyers who are primed to act as soon as the holiday fog clears.
Quality Matters: Photography & Floorplans Are Non-Negotiable
Website traffic is only as effective as the presentation of your property. In such a critical period - when hundreds, if not thousands, of buyers are browsing - first impressions count. High-quality magazine-style photography and accurate floorplans do more than just look good; they build trust, spark engagement, and help prospective buyers visualise themselves in the space.
At Richardsons, we take this seriously. We are the only agent on the Rock that includes professional, magazine-quality photography and detailed floorplans on all listings as standard. This is not a premium add-on - it’s part of our core service. Why does this matter?
Stand out: Listings with superior visuals perform better; they get more clicks, more enquiries, and more views.
Build confidence: Buyers are more confident when they can picture the layout, size, and flow of a property.
Strengthen your offer position: High-engagement listings can drive multiple offers or more serious interest, putting you in a stronger negotiating position.
Putting It All Together: The Strategic Advantage
By listing before Christmas with Richardsons, you combine timing and quality in a potent way:
You enter the market ahead of the Boxing Day and New Year surge.
You maximize reach via PropertyGibraltar, Zoopla, FTProperties, Countrylife, Idealista, Mayfair and more.
You present your property in the best possible light, with professional photography and floorplans baked into the listing.
You increase the probability of high engagement, strong enquiries, and ultimately a successful sale - or at least a promising flow of potential buyers — as soon as the holiday lull ends.
Conclusion
In today’s property market, smart timing and smart presentation are everything. The Zoopla “Boxing Day bounce” is not just a seasonal quirk - it’s a powerful opportunity that sellers can leverage by getting ahead of the curve and ensuring their property is market-ready before Christmas. While PropertyGibraltar may not publish raw portal-traffic data, the same buyer behaviours and cultural tendencies that fuel the UK’s surge are likely at play here too.
At Richardsons, we’re uniquely positioned to help you capitalise. With our all-inclusive approach - placing your listing on all the relevant portals, offering professional photography, and delivering detailed floorplans - we ensure that when the spotlight turns on after Christmas, your property is not just listed: it’s seen.