Northern England and Scotland are set to lead the way as the UK’s property hotspots in the upcoming year. Zoopla, a housing website, has identified these regions based on key metrics such as affordability, average time to sell a home, the percentage of properties on the market for over six months, and the likelihood of price reductions.
These factors have been analyzed to determine the postal areas with the most promising prospects for 2026. Areas ranking high on the list typically experience fast home sales, minimal price cuts, and low unsold inventory levels.
Scotland emerges as a dominant force, claiming nine out of the top 10 spots due to a combination of favorable conditions. The top-ranked hotspot for this year, according to Zoopla, is Motherwell (ML), where property prices are expected to increase by 3.4% to £134,700. Homes in Motherwell sell rapidly, with an average turnaround time of just 14 days, and only 7% of properties lingering on the market for more than six months. Following closely is Glasgow, with an anticipated 3% price growth and quick sales similar to Motherwell.
In England, the North West region, particularly Wigan’s WN postcode, stands out as a hot property market. Wigan boasts an average property price of £175,800, with a projected 3% increase this year. However, homes in Wigan take around 32 days to sell, slightly longer than the national average of 39 days.
Liverpool secures the 11th spot on the list, with a predicted 3.5% price growth in the city. Other English locations expected to exhibit strong property markets include Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Carlisle, and Northampton.
Conversely, areas that were once renowned for soaring house prices now find themselves at the bottom of the rankings. London’s West Central (WC) area is forecasted to see a 1.8% price decline this year, despite maintaining a high average price of £797,600. Properties in this postcode take an average of 82 days to sell, with 14% of homes on the market for over six months, and over half of sellers reducing their prices by at least 5% to attract buyers.
In Wales, Cardiff emerges as a promising property market, with only 9% of homes in the city listed for over six months.
Northern Ireland has witnessed significant house price inflation over the past year, with average prices increasing by 6.5%. Belfast ranks 25th on the national list for 2026, reflecting the region’s strong performance.
Richard Donnell, Zoopla’s executive director, emphasizes the importance of local market conditions in making informed housing decisions. He suggests that focusing on factors like home value, affordability, demand, and selling times can provide sellers and buyers with a clearer understanding of market dynamics. Donnell also highlights the significance of tailored insights from local agents for successful property transactions in the current market landscape.