Known as the ‘Boxing Day bounce’, 26 December is traditionally the start of activity in the property market ramping up at the start of the year.

Rightmove statistics also revealed a big jump (29%) in the number of sellers wanting their home valued between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day – the highest recorded in a week since early September.

Rightmove property expert, Tim Bannister, said: “We’ve seen some promising activity and familiar patterns over the festive period this year, which are good signs for the year ahead.

“While we expect a calmer market this year than we’ve had since the pandemic started, the record number of sellers who chose to come to market this Boxing Day indicates there is a group of motivated sellers ready to move, who perhaps held back and now feel more confident.

“After such frenetic market conditions over the last few years, this year’s calmer market will better suit measured movers who prefer to take their time to find the right property.”

Bannister added that the jump in number of views of properties for sale pre and post-Christmas is another good sign that the increase in property choice “is getting a lot of attention from future buyers”.

He said: “After a pause for the festivities, those wanting to buy this year will be ready to get back to their plans and assess where they’d like to live and what they can afford.

“Those sellers who got a head start and have their home already up for sale will now be benefitting from the jump in viewings over the next few weeks, as people settle back into their usual routines.”