(A calm, practical guide for first-time buyers, movers and landlords planning ahead.)
Quick Summary
- January is one of the biggest months of the year for new property listings.
- Mortgage rates are expected to continue drifting down into early 2026.
- Affordability should improve with lower inflation and updated lender models.
- Competition is lower in early January (before demand spikes later in the month).
- Preparing now gives you a genuine advantage over other buyers.
1 | January Is a Huge Month for the Property Market
Every year, Rightmove and Zoopla report:
- A surge in new listings
- A spike in buyer enquiries
- A sharp increase in viewings from 2 January onward
- A huge jump in saved searches and alerts
Why?
Because homeowners use the quiet Christmas period to:
- Finish small DIY jobs
- Take photos for the estate agent
- Agree an asking price
- Plan to list “as soon as the new year starts”
If you’re ready early, you see new stock before most buyers even log back in.
2 | Mortgage Rates Are Expected to Keep Improving
2024 was rocky.
2025 brought stability.
2026 is set to bring opportunity.
Thanks to:
- Falling inflation
- Cheaper fixed-rate funding
- A calmer economic outlook
- Lower household bills
- Growing lender confidence
…analysts expect gradual rate reductions through early 2026, especially in:
- 5-year fixes
- 2-year fixes (if the Bank cuts again)
- High-LTV mortgages
- New-build mortgage incentives
Starting early in January means you can lock a rate before competition heats up.
3 | Affordability Should Improve for Many Buyers
Lenders are slowly relaxing their affordability models due to:
- Lower cost-of-living assumptions
- Higher real wages
- Softening stress rates
- Falling essential spending
- More supportive regulatory guidance
Meaning:
You may be able to borrow more in January 2026 than you could in mid-2025 — even if your income hasn’t changed.
Great news for first-time buyers, especially those near affordability limits.
4 | Competition Is Lower at the Start of January
Most buyers take longer to wake up from Christmas than you think.
Between 26 December and around 6 January:
- Online activity is high
- But actual enquiries are low
- Viewings don’t peak until mid-January
- Many buyers haven’t returned to work or routines yet
If you’re ready early, you can:
- View properties before the rush
- Make offers ahead of the crowd
- Negotiate with sellers before demand spikes
- Secure new listings as soon as they go live
It’s a short but powerful window.
5 | January Is Also Great for New-Build Incentives
Developers often:
- Reset sales targets
- Offer January incentives
- Improve mortgage contribution offers
- Release new plots in the first calendar week
If you’re flexible about new builds, January gives you more negotiating power and more choice.
6 | What You Can Do Between Now and New Year
A little prep now makes a huge difference in January.
✔ Check your credit score
Look for errors, old addresses, and small balances you can clear.
✔ Avoid BNPL, overdrafts or late December borrowing
Lenders review these closely.
✔ Gather documents
Bank statements
Payslips
Deposit evidence
ID
SA302s (if self-employed)
✔ Get an Agreement in Principle
You’ll be ready to offer instantly when the right home appears.
7 | Should You Buy in January or Wait?
Buy in January if:
- You’re ready
- Your deposit is complete
- You want first pick of new listings
- You want to act before competition grows
Wait if:
- You’re close to a better LTV band
- You need a few more months of saving
- You’re improving credit or tidying bank statements
There’s no “perfect” time — but January offers a rare advantage you don’t get in spring or summer.
📞 Want to Get Mortgage-Ready for January?
We don’t provide regulated mortgage advice — but we can introduce you to an FCA-authorised specialist who can:
- Tell you what you can borrow for 2026
- Prepare a strong Agreement in Principle
- Help tidy your bank statements
- Compare fixed vs tracker options
- Guide you on deposit and credit improvements