A recent analysis of how long it takes to sell a property in the UK’s 50 largest cities has revealed a wide variation in sale times.
According to the findings, the duration between listing and completion can range from as little as 36 days to as long as 150 days, depending on the location.
Sell House Fast says the fastest and slowest five are:
| Rank Fastest | City | Overall average days to sell | Rank Slowest | City | Overall average days to sell |
| 1 | Glasgow | 36 | 1 | Aberdeen | 150 |
| 2 | Dundee | 59 | 2 | Bournemouth | 143 |
| 3 | Edinburgh | 71 | 3 | London | 139 |
| 4 | Northampton | 77 | 4 | Luton | 132 |
| 5 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 80 | 5 | Brighton and Hove | 130 |
Glasgow currently holds the top spot for the fastest-moving housing market in the UK, with properties selling in just over a month on average. This is a clear sign of strong demand in the area, particularly for semi-detached and terraced homes. These types of properties are proving especially popular among young professionals and families, who are increasingly drawn to the city for its amenities, job opportunities, and quality of life.
Even detached homes, which typically take longer to find a buyer, are selling swiftly in Glasgow—averaging just 51 days on the market. This is significantly quicker than the national average of 130 days, highlighting Glasgow’s appeal as a vibrant and affordable place to live.
Other Scottish cities are also seeing fast-moving markets. Dundee and Edinburgh complete the top three, with properties in both locations being snapped up far quicker than in many parts of England and Wales. These figures suggest a continued strength in Scotland’s urban housing markets, especially for well-located and mid-range properties.
On the flip side, Aberdeen is currently the slowest city in the UK when it comes to selling property. Homes there are staying on the market for around 150 days on average—nearly five months. However, not all homes in Aberdeen are selling slowly. Semi-detached houses tend to perform better, averaging 107 days before sale. Interestingly, properties priced between £500,000 and £1 million are finding buyers 79 days faster than others, possibly due to a more focused group of affluent buyers with specific needs and less competition.
Further Insights:
Beyond the time it takes to sell, buyers also face potential financial setbacks if a sale collapses. On average, a failed property transaction costs a buyer around £2,511. This includes fees paid for mortgage applications, home surveys, and solicitors. The total cost can vary significantly by region—conveyancing costs, for instance, can run up to £3,477 in London, compared to just £1,893 in Wales.
One of the most common reasons a house sale falls through is a simple change of heart. Almost half of all failed transactions are due to one party backing out. In some areas, this is even more frequent. Norwich, for example, sees the highest percentage of sales collapse due to buyers or sellers getting cold feet, with 62.5% of failed deals attributed to this cause.
Price range also plays a major role in how quickly a property is likely to sell. Homes priced between £200,000 and £300,000 are currently moving the fastest. On average, these homes stay on the market for just 98 days—almost 54% faster than properties outside this range. This bracket tends to attract a wide range of buyers, including first-time buyers, families, and investors.
Property size matters too. Three-bedroom homes continue to be the most sought-after, with an average sale time of 91 days. These homes typically offer the best balance of space and affordability, making them ideal for a variety of buyers. In contrast, five-bedroom houses often stay on the market for much longer—usually around 20 weeks. This is largely due to the smaller pool of buyers who need, or can afford, such large homes.
Download NOW
4 Simple Steps To Becoming Wealthy Through Property