The time it takes to sell a UK home remains unchanged on average year-on-year but the regional picture is quite different, according to new analysis from Zoopla.
The national average time to sell of 42 days may have remained unchanged in July 2026, but 180 local authorities are taking longer to sell, while 145 are selling faster.
Around half (180 of the 363) of local authorities across England, Scotland and Wales have seen an increase in days taken to sell the average property in the last year, with eight areas where sellers are now taking 60 days or longer to find a buyer.
It now takes 76 days to sell the average home in Melton in the East Midlands, while Westminster and Teignbridge round out the three slowest markets.
Outside of Melton, markets in southern England make up the entirety of the top 10 slowest moving markets.
The 10 fastest selling markets are all in Scotland, led by Falkirk, where the average property sells in just 11 days.
Waltham Forest is London’s fastest market, with homes taking an average of 33 days to sell, but this has decreased by 8 days compared to July 2025.
Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “While the national time to sell has barely moved, that stability is masking a real divide opening up between local markets. In areas like Melton in Leicestershire, homes are taking noticeably longer to sell than a year ago, while markets just a short drive away are speeding up.
“If you’re selling in a slower market, don’t take a wait-and-see approach – talk to a local agent who knows what’s happening street by street, and make sure your home is priced right from day one. That’s still the biggest factor within a seller’s control, whatever the local market is doing.”
