Brits’ property New Year’s resolution revealed – as Boxing Day sees home hunting ‘surge’ | Personal Finance | Finance

Four in 10, or 41 percent, of New Year’s resolution makers were hoping to buy a new home in the closing days of 2024, a study shows.

The homebuilder Barratt Redrow also found that a quarter of the 2,216 Brits it surveyed said getting on the property ladder was an important New Year’s resolution for them.

The figure rose to 41 percent of the respondents when considering those who regularly make New Year’s resolutions.

Living in a home they loved was important to 78 percent of respondents, a figure rising to 85 percent when analysing only baby boomers, and dropping down to 69 percent for Gen Z.

The research also found that making or finishing home improvements to add value to their home is the most popular home-based resolution, closely followed by saving up to move home. Respondents said these resolutions included “keeping my home tidier”, “completing the kitchen renovation” and “finishing all my DIY jobs”.

Barratt Redrow is launching a New Year’s campaign to help more people get onto the property ladder in 2025, so they can buy a house before an increase in stamp duty at the end of March.

Steve Mariner, sales and marketing director at Barratt Redrow, said: “New Year resolutions still remain really popular and for a great many people getting on the property ladder will be top of their list. Buying a new home is a great way to make that first step, particularly with the wide range of mortgage schemes and incentives currently available for first time buyers.”

Last year, online estate agent RightMove said visits to its site doubled between Christmas and Boxing Day, but only 44 percent of people who took part in a survey knew the festive season was the busiest period for buying.

Homebuilding firm David Wilson Homes said would-be buyers may be unprepared for the competitive landscape, despite 51 percent of people aiming to move home in 2025.

Nearly 60 percent said they had no plan of action for how to make their move a reality.

With a rise in Stamp Duty in April 2025 expected to heat things up, those wanting to move are being advised to start their preparations this Christmas break. This include:

• Getting your documents in one place

• Keeping up to date with house-buying trends

• Enhancing your buyer profile

• Having a mortgage or financial adviser on speed dial

Powell says: “Starting the new year by buying a new home may be a dream for many, but the surge in buying at the start of the year can make the process more difficult.”

1. Start looking early

Powell, says: “If you’re hoping to buy in the New Year, you should start thinking now about what areas you’ll be looking in, what requirements your new home will need, and what your budget is.

“A common mistake many people make is entering the buying process without having a clear idea of what they want and what they can realistically afford, meaning they waste a lot of time looking at properties they won’t consider.

“Now is also a great time to start making connections with mortgage advisers, lenders, local estate agents, and new build companies. Use this time before Christmas to answer as many questions as possible so you’re ready to enter 2025 with all of the information you need to move up or get onto the property ladder.”

2. Get all of your documents in order

“Having all of the necessary documents and paperwork you need to hand can massively help you to speed through the buying process.

“Delays in finding recent bank statements, proof of income or employment, or identity documents can allow other prepared buyers to swoop in and take your position in a sale.

“I’d recommend starting a folder with every document you might need clearly labelled. It can also help to have both physical and digital copies of all of these documents so that you can easily share them in whatever format is required.”

3. Keep up with the buying landscape

“Keeping up to date with the latest market trends can give you a significant advantage. You need to understand the current demand in your area, average property prices, and how quickly homes are selling. This will help you make informed decisions and act fast when the perfect home appears.

“Subscribe to property newsletters, follow market news, and stay up to date with local property forums. Being well-informed means confidently making offers, negotiating, and staying on top of the ever-changing property landscape.”

4. Research your mortgage

Higgins advises: “One of the best things you can do to make yourself appear more attractive to sellers is to obtain a mortgage pre-approval.

“Getting a Mortgage in Principle (also known as an Agreement in Principle or Decision in Principle) from your lender can be helpful for you to know how much you’re able to potentially borrow but it can also signal to sellers that you’re a serious buyer and that you’ll be able to follow through if you submit an offer.

“Another way to make yourself more attractive to sellers is to have a larger deposit. While this isn’t an option for everyone, it’s important to let sellers know when you can exceed the minimum deposit as this can greatly improve your chances of landing the sale.”

5. Have a mortgage adviser ready

Terry adds: “It is vital that you speak to a mortgage adviser as earlier in the process as possible. Working with them can help you navigate the buying process, which can be confusing to inexperienced buyers and first-time buyers trying to get onto the property ladder. They will also be able explain the associated costs of moving like, Stamp Duty, Valuation fees and conveyancers fees and when you will be required to pay them.”

“Independent advisors are often better to opt for as they will look at a range of mortgage products available on the market to find you the best deal, while mortgage advisors working for lenders will only offer their mortgage products.

“Mortgage advisors can be especially useful for first-time buyers or those juggling many commitments while searching for a new home. Make sure you understand the small print.”