Northern England and Scotland are poised to lead the way as the top property hotspots in the UK for the upcoming year. Zoopla, a popular housing website, has utilized a comprehensive analysis incorporating key factors such as affordability, average time taken to sell a property, the proportion of properties on the market for over six months, and the likelihood of price reductions to identify the regions with the most promising prospects for 2026.
In this assessment, areas ranking at the pinnacle generally exhibit rapid property sales, often without the need for price cuts and with a lower-than-average inventory of unsold properties. Scotland emerges as the dominant force, claiming nine out of the top 10 spots based on a combination of these crucial factors.
According to Zoopla’s projections, Motherwell (ML) stands out as the hottest postcode for the year, with property prices expected to rise by 3.4% to £134,700. The town boasts a swift average selling time of just 14 days, with only 7% of properties lingering on the market for over six months. Following closely is Glasgow, where the average property price of £163,600 is anticipated to increase by 3%, reflecting similarly rapid sales and minimal price reductions.
Turning attention to England, the North West region, particularly Wigan’s WN postcode, emerges as a standout performer, making the national top 10 list on Zoopla’s rankings. Wigan scores well for affordability with an average property price of £175,800, despite a slightly longer average selling time of around 32 days, in line with the national average of 39 days.
Liverpool secures the 11th spot, with a projected 3.5% increase in property prices this year. Other English locations expected to witness robust property market performance include Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Carlisle, and Northampton.
However, previously high-flying areas in terms of property price growth now find themselves at the bottom of the list. Notably, London’s West Central (WC) area is forecasted to experience a 1.8% decline in prices this year, although the average property price remains significantly higher at £797,600 compared to the national average. Properties in this postcode take an average of 82 days to sell, with a notable portion on the market for over six months and a considerable number of sellers having to reduce prices to secure a buyer.
In Wales, Cardiff emerges as the top pick for property investment, with just 9% of homes in the city languishing on the market for over six months.
Northern Ireland has experienced significant house price inflation in the past year, with average prices rising by 6.5%. Belfast secures the 25th spot out of the national 120 on Zoopla’s rankings for the current year.
Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla, emphasizes the importance of local housing market conditions in making informed housing decisions in 2026. He underscores the significance of considering factors such as property value, affordability, demand, and selling times to empower both sellers and buyers with confidence. Donnell highlights areas with promising growth potential in sales activity and above-average house price rises, particularly in Scotland and Northern England, while indicating opportunities across the UK where demand and affordability align well. He advises sellers to seek tailored insights from local agents to navigate local market conditions effectively and ensure successful property sales in 2026.