Placing your home on the market in December can set you up for a stronger, faster sale in early 2026. With fewer competing listings and highly motivated buyers still searching, December offers a rare opportunity to stand out, attract serious interest, and get ahead of the busy new-year property rush.

Private renting has grown across every UK region over the last 40 years, but the scale and pace are often misunderstood. This graphic shows how uneven that growth has been, shaped largely by the decline in social housing. Understanding this shift helps explain today’s housing balance and the choices ahead.

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.

Over the past three years, the number of homes for sale has surged dramatically, far outpacing the national rise. Yet, despite the increase, supply remains tighter than in past downturns. With more choice for buyers, success now depends on smart, realistic pricing that stands out in a competitive market.