As the long‑awaited Budget passes, many homeowners planning a move next year are contacting our local offices to discuss the best timing. With no major changes announced that would delay plans, sellers across North Devon, Somerset and Cornwall are beginning to look ahead to 2026 with confidence.
There is little doubt that some buyers and sellers have been holding off, and we are now sensing a degree of pent‑up demand. If you are starting to consider your plans for the year ahead, here is what the next few weeks mean for your sale.
Boxing Day Versus January: What Really Happens
You may see some agents promoting the idea that Boxing Day is the busiest day in the property market. It is certainly a moment of renewed online interest, with Rightmove reporting record Boxing Day activity in 2024 new listings up 26 percent year‑on‑year and buyer enquiries up 20 percent but it is the January moving season that converts browsing into viewings and offers. In Rightmove’s own words, Boxing Day is the traditional bounce that leads into a busy January.
What does this mean for you?
It is sensible to have your property on the market in early January, but there is no need to worry about being live on Boxing Day itself. What matters most is that your home is presented at its very best from the first week of January onwards, so you can capture buyer demand when it rises.
Your January‑Ready Checklist
Presentation
- Declutter living spaces, refresh paintwork where helpful, and maximise light for winter viewings.
- Keep entrances clear and welcoming; add a fresh doormat and tidy any seasonal décor.
Photography and marketing
- Schedule daylight photography where possible.
- Ensure feature highlights are front‑and‑centre in your description — garden, parking, home office, school catchments.
Pricing and timing
- Use current local comparables to set a confident, realistic price for North Devon, Somerset or Cornwall.
- Launch in early January when buyer momentum builds after the holidays (as reflected in portal trends).
Viewings
- Aim for daylight slots where possible; if evenings suit, make lighting warm and consistent.
- Keep rooms comfortable, aired and tidy; avoid strong scents.
Local Insight Across The West Country
Webbers teams are embedded across Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, South Molton, Braunton, Ilfracombe, Exmoor, Minehead, Taunton, Wiveliscombe, Wellington, Bude, Bodmin, Launceston, and we have national reach via Park Lane London. That means your micro‑market advice is based on what buyers are actively searching for in your town or village, coastal, rural or market‑town settings each move differently in winter.
Sources: Rightmove seasonal commentary on Boxing Day bounce leading into January. Rightmove
Considering A Move Or Already On The Market?
If you are thinking about selling in 2026, or if you are already on the market and would like a fresh, updated opinion of your home’s value, please get in touch. We would be very pleased to arrange a convenient time to see you.
If you are not planning to sell in the immediate future, please accept our warmest wishes for a wonderful festive season and a very happy New Year. We are confident that 2026 will be a positive year for the property market, with improving sentiment and greater choice for movers.
