The UK areas where it’s taking longer to sell a home

The average time to sell for a house across the UK has seen a marginal increase of just one day compared to a year ago, despite higher mortgage rates.

However, the London property market is experiencing a more pronounced slowdown; It now takes almost a week longer to buy houses in the capital.

The national average is 33 days, according to real estate website Zoopla. This is in sharp contrast to London, where properties are often taking six days longer to sell than it did 12 months ago, underlining a significant impact on the capital.

Mortgage rates climbed for the first time since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, leading to increased swap rates that lenders use for pricing.

However, some major lenders have recently reduced their fixed mortgage rates as swap rates have fallen, causing average fixed rates to start flattening.

Zoopla’s figures track the time it takes from listing a property until it is sold under contract.

Richard Donnell, chief executive of Zoopla, said: “Homes are taking just one day longer to sell than this time last year.

“This is a strong result given the increasing uncertainty and mortgage interest rates rising rapidly in March. Buyer inquiries picked up after Easter and we expect the market to remain active for the rest of the year as mortgage interest rates begin to fall.”

“Although market conditions vary greatly between the North and the South, households forced to move are making do.

“The message for sellers is clear: in much of the country, well-priced homes are still finding buyers at the same time as last year.

“Mortgage rates are falling for buyers and the choice of homes for sale is increasing. The best value homes are moving quickly, especially in northern cities and Scotland, while there is greater bargaining room in southern areas.”

Average time to sell a house across the UK

According to Zoopla, the average house sales times in days for the seven weeks to 17 April 2025 and then the seven weeks to 17 April 2026 are (a breakdown for Northern Ireland is not included):