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The property website Zoopla has revealed the areas of the UK where homes are selling most quickly.
On average, sellers accept offers on properties 33 days after first listing them for sale, but one area is recording an average of just 15 days.
Read on to find out more about the UK's fastest markets and the aspects that buyers most commonly search for.
Zoopla's research shows that the top five fastest property markets in 2024 are all in Scotland.
The house-selling process in Scotland is different to the rest of the UK, as valuations and surveys are provided up front as part of the seller's home report.
The fastest-selling areas in Scotland are as follows:
Falkirk, in the Central Lowlands, on the edge of the Firth of Forth, is a popular choice for commuters who work in Edinburgh and Glasgow, thanks to excellent transport links and a blend of traditional and modern housing.
It also boasts green spaces such as Callendar Park and the Falkirk Canal paths.
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and a cultural powerhouse, known for its vibrant arts scene, rich history, and iconic architecture. It offers a wide variety of properties, from Victorian townhouses to modern apartments.
West Lothian is a regional council between Edinburgh and Glasgow; its towns combine rural living with the convenience of transport links to both cities. Livingston is the largest town in the West Lothian council area, with a population of more than 50,000.
| Falkirk | 15 | £148,000 |
| Glasgow City | 16 | £146,000 |
| West Lothian | 17 | £184,000 |
| East Renfrewshire | 17 | £254,000 |
| South Lanarkshire | 18 | £151,000 |
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Looking outside Scotland, three of the top five fastest selling areas are located in the northwest of England.
Properties in Liverpool are selling most quickly, with offers accepted within three weeks after going on the market.
Liverpool is a vibrant city, famed for its maritime history and musical legacy as the home of The Beatles. Its iconic waterfront features landmarks such as the Royal Albert Dock and the Royal Liver Building.
Liverpool has a range of property types for sale, from waterfront apartments to Victorian terraces.
Manchester is known for its industrial heritage and thriving cultural scene. With a population of more than 500,000 people, it has a diverse range of neighbourhoods, from the trendy Northern Quarter to leafy suburbs such as Didsbury.
Waltham Forest, a borough of Greater London in the northeast of the capital, has a mixture of period properties and new-build developments. Highlights include Walthamstow Village, known for its independent shops and cafes.
Walthamstow has excellent travel links to central London via London Underground – it's on the Victoria line.
| Liverpool | North West England | 19 | £159,000 |
| Manchester | North West England | 23 | £218,000 |
| Waltham Forest | Greater London | 25 | £296,000 |
| Salford | North West England | 27 | £204,000 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | North East England | 27 | £161,000 |
Zoopla also revealed the most popular keywords that buyers use when searching its website.
The top three – freehold, garage and annex – have remained unchanged from 2023.
This year, buyers seem more interested in purchasing cottages, a keyword that has risen from seventh to fourth place. In contrast, interest in sea-view properties has declined, with the keyword falling out of the top 10.
The phrase 'in need of modernisation' has also grown in popularity, climbing 134 places to 53rd. This may suggest a rise in the number of buyers seeking lower-cost 'doer-uppers'.
'Study' was another keyword that surged in popularity, climbing 22 places to 88th.
The table shows the top 10 keywords used by prospective buyers on Zoopla in 2023 and 2024.
| Freehold | Freehold |
| Garage | Garage |
| Annexe | Annexe |
| Cottage | Acre |
| Double Garage | Garden |
| Rural | Pool |
| Pool | Cottage |
House prices have risen slightly this year. The most recent Land Registry data shows an annual increase of 2.9%, with the average price reaching £292,000 in September.
Regionally, prices are rising fastest in the northeast of England, and London is the only part of the UK currently experiencing a year-on-year decline.
Check out our story on whether the value of your house will rise in 2025 to find out what might happen to house prices in the new year.
The cost of borrowing will also be a big topic in 2025. Despite a drop in the base rate in November, fixed-rate mortgages have become slightly more expensive over the past month. See our story on the best mortgage rates for December 2024 for the latest figures.
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