Northern England and Scotland are expected to lead the way as the UK’s property hotspots in the coming year. Zoopla, a housing website, has identified key factors such as affordability, average time to sell a home, percentage of properties for sale for over six months, and the likelihood of asking price reductions to determine the most promising postal areas for 2026. These factors have highlighted areas where homes are selling quickly, often without price cuts and with minimal unsold stock.
Scotland stands out with nine of the top 10 spots based on these criteria. Motherwell (ML) is anticipated to be the top performer this year, with prices predicted to rise by 3.4% to £134,700. Glasgow follows closely, with an expected 3% increase to an average price of £163,600. In England, the North West, particularly Wigan’s WN postcode, shows strong potential with an average property price of £175,800 and a forecasted 3% rise this year.
Liverpool ranks 11th in the list, with a projected 3.5% increase in property prices. Other English areas expected to have robust property markets include Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Carlisle, and Northampton. Conversely, previously high-priced areas in London are now at the bottom of the rankings. For instance, prices in London’s West Central (WC) area are forecasted to decrease by 1.8% this year, with properties taking an average of 82 days to sell.
In Wales, Cardiff is anticipated to be a property hotspot, with only 9% of homes on the market for more than six months. Northern Ireland has experienced significant house price inflation, with average prices up by 6.5%. Belfast ranks 25th nationally for the year.
Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, emphasizes the importance of local housing market conditions for making informed decisions in 2026. He suggests considering factors like home value, affordability, demand, and selling times in the area. While Scotland and Northern England show the strongest potential, opportunities exist nationwide where demand and affordability align well. Donnell advises sellers and buyers to seek insights from local agents to tailor their strategies for a successful sale in 2026.