If you want to move in 2026, positioning yourself as a serious buyer is essential. Here’s how to put yourself ahead of the competition and be taken seriously by sellers.

There are 243 homes across the UK named “Christmas Cottage”, each adding a festive note to the property map. From a £1.37m sale in Buckinghamshire to values sitting above the national average, these homes show that even a name can carry a seasonal premium and a story of its own.

If you’re planning to sell in early 2026, now is the time to understand the timeline, the preparation and the steps that will help you move smoothly from listing to completion.

This map highlights how uneven UK house price growth has been over the last decade. While some regions have surged ahead, others have seen far more modest gains. It’s a clear reminder that national averages hide wide regional differences, and that property performance is always shaped by local markets rather than headlines.