Boxing Day isn’t just for Christmas bargain hunting, it’s also a great time of year for buyers to find their dream home online, as it happens to be one of the busiest days for internet traffic in the calendar.

The holidays give people more time to make life-changing decisions, meaning it is important that sellers remain prepared for any post-Christmas viewings.

"Some will often misread the winter as a bad time of year to put their property on the market," says Michael Fiddes of Strutt & Parker, "but the Christmas break will always see a spike in web traffic as many start to think about their plans for the New Year.  At the end of 2013 especially, buyer demand has been outstripping supply, having been a remarkably busy year for the property industry."

The flurry of online browsers and applicant activity prompts some agents to re-evaluate stock and if necessary make price reductions. Fiddes continues, "Whilst the festive period creates a much larger audience, January often brings a new audience as well, stressing the significance of both estate agents and sellers to look at refreshing the marketing of their properties if needed."

Sellers should keep in mind that first impressions are vital, striking a balance between a clean and tidy house and those leftover festive sights and smells of Christmas. It's winter, so ensure the fire is roaring, candles are lit and fairy lights are on to create a welcoming atmosphere even on the darkest nights. 

Fiddes says, "Most people will be very receptive to festive smells and tasteful decorations whilst on viewings, so long as the décor doesn’t detract from the house itself. Still merry from their own holidays, viewers will often go from room to room trying to envisage their new life there celebrating Christmas snuggled up by the fire with a glass of mulled wine."