The chances of finding a buyer within three months vary dramatically across Britain, with homes in some locations more than five times as likely to sell as those elsewhere.
New analysis from Zoopla reveals that 86% of properties listed in Motherwell, Scotland, found a buyer within three months. By contrast, just 16% achieved the same result in north-west London.
The figures, based on homes marketed between April and June 2026, highlight the growing divide between regional housing markets.
For estate agents, the findings underline the importance of local market conditions and accurate pricing when advising sellers.
Scotland leads the way
Scottish postcode areas dominate the strongest-performing markets.
Motherwell tops the rankings, with 86% of homes finding a buyer within three months. Glasgow follows at 83%, while Edinburgh records 78%.
Elsewhere, Newcastle (55%) and Liverpool (54%) perform considerably better than much of London.
However, sellers in the capital face a tougher market.
Just 24% of homes in south-west London found a buyer within three months. That figure falls to 19% in west London and 16% in north-west London.
Higher property prices, mortgage costs and stamp duty continue to weigh on affordability in London and parts of southern England.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s Home Report system provides buyers with upfront survey and valuation information. Zoopla suggests this helps support buyer confidence and more realistic asking prices.
Where are sellers most likely to find a buyer?
| Postcode area | Homes finding a buyer within three months |
|---|---|
| Motherwell (ML) | 86% |
| Glasgow (G) | 83% |
| Edinburgh (EH) | 78% |
| Newcastle (NE) | 55% |
| Liverpool (L) | 54% |
| Romford (RM) | 47% |
| South-west London (SW) | 24% |
| West London (W) | 19% |
| North-west London (NW) | 16% |
Source: Zoopla, 2026.
Some markets improve while others lose ground
The research also reveals significant changes in local selling conditions over the past year.
Glasgow recorded the biggest improvement among the highlighted locations. The proportion of homes finding a buyer within three months rose by 8.5 percentage points.
Preston followed closely, up 8.2 percentage points, while Motherwell recorded a 5.2-point increase.
However, conditions have deteriorated elsewhere.
Telford experienced the sharpest decline among the selected areas, falling 11.5 percentage points.
Halifax dropped 10.3 points, followed by Falkirk at 10.1 points.
Watford and St Albans also recorded notable declines, down 8.6 and 7.9 percentage points respectively.
| Postcode area | Annual change |
|---|---|
| Glasgow (G) | +8.5 percentage points |
| Preston (PR) | +8.2 percentage points |
| Motherwell (ML) | +5.2 percentage points |
| St Albans (AL) | −7.9 percentage points |
| Watford (WD) | −8.6 percentage points |
| Falkirk (FK) | −10.1 percentage points |
| Halifax (HX) | −10.3 percentage points |
| Telford (TF) | −11.5 percentage points |
Source: Zoopla, 2026.
Overpricing can halve the chances of finding a buyer
Beyond regional differences, Zoopla’s analysis highlights the impact of asking prices on sales prospects.
Properties requiring a price reduction are around half as likely to find a buyer within three months as those marketed without a reduction.
The findings reinforce the importance of setting a competitive asking price from the outset, particularly where buyers have plenty of choice.
Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “With more homes for sale, buyers have greater choice and sellers need to be realistic about their asking price. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is pricing their property based on what they need to buy their next home, rather than what buyers are prepared to pay.
“Our analysis shows that homes requiring a price reduction are around half as likely to find a buyer within three months as those that don’t. Sellers who price competitively when first listing stand a much better chance of attracting interest and agreeing a sale.”
