(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

Request Specialist Call-Back