Where does your area rank in terms of the fastest and slowest places to sell a home?

Depending on the area, the average amount of time a home is on the market before being sold can range from 19 to 62 days

The best time to list a home is in the spring, but depending on where you live in the UK, you may have a long wait for buyers or a speedy sale, according to a study by online real estate listing company Zoopla.

Before an offer is made, accepted, and the sale is finalized, homes in England and Wales are on the market for an average of 36 days.

Yet, there are notable differences across the nation. A sale can be agreed upon for some homes in as little as 19 days, while others take up to 62 days.

52 percent of all agreed-upon sales in 2025 have occurred within the first two months of a home's listing.

Depending on the intricacy of the deal, it usually takes four to six months for buyers and sellers to finish a sale.

"A home sale in England and Wales takes just over a month at the moment, but this varies greatly throughout the country and by property type, with smaller family homes selling the quickest," says Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla.

In a different post, we examine if this is a good time to sell a home.

Where in England and Wales are the homes selling the quickest?

According to Zoopla, the north-east London borough of Waltham Forest and Manchester had the fastest-selling homes in the first three months of 2025. On average, homes in these areas sell in just 19 days.

At an average price of £525,000, Waltham Forest is by no means the most affordable neighborhood for homebuyers. The London borough, however, has a lot to offer.

Due to its accessibility, excellent schools, low crime and burglary rates, and abundance of green spaces, it is a well-liked destination for families wishing to live close to central London for commuting.

Manchester offers a much more affordable location, with average property prices of £240,000. The city has excellent connections and is conveniently located near other regions of the North West thanks to its advantageous location.

Beyond its two enormous football clubs, it offers a plethora of stores, eateries, cultural attractions, and a vibrant nightlife. According to Zoopla, Manchester offers a multitude of educational opportunities for families and a strong sense of community due to its dedication to safety.

Why does the north-south divide exist in real estate sales?

Generally speaking, neighborhoods with lower home prices tend to see faster home sales because more households can afford them.

Thus, homes in England's north typically sell more quickly than those in the south, where prices are higher.

Particularly quickly moving are homes in England's North West and North East.

Among the top ten fastest-moving markets in England and Wales, they take an average of 32 days to sell. These include Manchester (19 days), Carlisle (20 days), Stockport (22 days), Gateshead (22 days), Newcastle upon Tyne (23 days), and Halton (25 days).

Zoopla Research is the source.

Days on market for properties that were put up for sale during the preceding three months.

Sales are contingent on the contract median asking price.