A Closer Look at the Top-Performing Property Markets in the UK
Bright and sunny day marks a positive turn for Scottish real estate sector
In the vibrant and dynamic UK property market, various regions exhibit distinct performances. Recent data reveal Glasgow as the fastest-moving housing market in the UK, followed by other Scottish cities such as Dundee and Edinburgh [2]. Meanwhile, Savills anticipates promising returns for certain sectors, particularly the North West of England [1].
Scotland's Dominance
- Glasgow: Leads the UK with homes selling in just 36 days on average [2].
- Dundee: Ranks second, with homes selling in about 59 days [2].
- Edinburgh: Third in the list, with homes selling in about 71 days [2].
Other Key Performers
- North West of England: Savills predicts the North West as the top performer for buy-to-let returns, with a total return of 10.8% forecasted for 2025 [1].
- London Boroughs: Despite some areas experiencing price falls, Waltham Forest, Kingston upon Thames, Lewisham, Bexley, and Greenwich are among the top performers for property price growth since the credit crunch [3].
Challenges and Opportunities
- Average House Prices: The UK average house price stands at £268,400 as of May 2025, with a 1.4% annual increase [4].
- Market Trends: The property market is influenced by factors like interest rates and policy changes, which can impact transactional activity and returns [1].
Analysis
The dominance of Scottish cities like Glasgow, Dundee, and Edinburgh in the UK's fastest-moving markets suggests a strong demand for housing in these regions. However, the overall performance across the UK is more nuanced, with regional variations and specific sectors showing better returns. Savills' forecasts highlight the North West as a key area for buy-to-let investments, while London's market is mixed, with some boroughs performing better than others over time [1][3].
Top 20 Cities by Speed of Sale
Here is an extended list of the top performers:
- Glasgow
- Dundee
- Edinburgh
- Northampton
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Plymouth
- Gateshead
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Swindon
- Sheffield
- Liverpool (average time not specified, but generally strong demand)
- Bristol (similarly, strong demand without specific average sale time)
- Leeds (known for its fast-moving market)
- Birmingham
- Nottingham
- Cardiff
- Portsmouth
- Oxford (slower but still significant due to its academic and professional presence)
- Kingston upon Hull
- Brighton and Hove (slowest among these, but still a popular area)
This list combines the fastest-moving markets with other significant urban areas, noting that the speed of sale can vary based on local market conditions and demand.
Future Outlook
The future of the UK property market will be influenced by economic factors, policy changes, and regional demand. Savills' forecasts suggest an increase in returns across various sectors, which could stimulate further investment and activity in the market [1]. However, areas like London may face challenges due to policy impacts and shifts in demand [1][3].
- Glasgow, a popular city, experiences a high demand for properties, leading to increased prices.
- Edinburgh, with its global standing, attracts buyers from across Scotland, the UK, and internationally, contributing to rising prices.
- The city of Glasgow remains attractive to buyers, resulting in higher prices.
- The city of Edinburgh benefits from local buyers, buyers across Scotland, throughout the UK, and internationally, contributing to rising prices.
- The strong demand for properties in Glasgow, Scotland, results in an average sale time of just 36 days, making it the fastest-moving housing market in the UK [2].
- Investors handling real-estate in the North West of England may anticipate promising returns for buy-to-let properties, with a predicted total return of 10.8% in 2025 according to Savills forecasts [1].
