Northern England and Scotland are expected to lead the way as the top property hotspots in the UK for the upcoming year. Zoopla, a housing website, analyzed various factors such as affordability, average time to sell a home, percentage of properties on the market for over six months, and the likelihood of price reductions to identify the most promising postal areas for 2026.
Scotland emerged prominently with nine out of the top 10 places based on these criteria. The top-ranking location predicted by Zoopla for this year is Motherwell (ML), where prices are anticipated to increase by 3.4% to £134,700. Homes in Motherwell typically sell within just 14 days, with only 7% of properties unsold for more than six months. Following closely is Glasgow, with an average property price of £163,600 and a forecasted 3% price rise. Homes in Glasgow sell swiftly within two weeks, and only 4% of sellers reduce their asking prices significantly.
In England, the North West region features prominently on Zoopla’s list of potential hotspots. Wigan’s WN postcode is the sole representative in the national top 10, boasting 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 ranks 11th, with a forecasted 3.5% increase in property prices. Other English areas expected to have robust property markets in 2026 include Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Carlisle, and Northampton.
Conversely, areas that once experienced significant house price growth now find themselves at the bottom of the list. London’s West Central (WC) area is predicted to see a further 1.8% decline in prices this year, despite the high average price of £797,600. Properties in this postcode take an average of 82 days to sell, with 14% remaining on the market for over six months. Nearby areas such as West London (W postcode), East Central London, and South West (SW) London follow as weaker performers.
Cardiff emerges as the property hotspot for Wales, with only 9% of homes on the market for over six months. In Northern Ireland, Belfast ranks 25th nationally, having experienced a 6.5% increase in average house prices over the past year.
Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, emphasized the importance of considering local housing market conditions when making real estate decisions in 2026. He highlighted the strongest potential areas for sales growth and house price rises, especially in Scotland and Northern England. Donnell advised sellers and buyers to assess factors like home value, demand, affordability, and selling times to make informed decisions. He also stressed the significance of understanding local market dynamics and seeking tailored insights from agents for successful property transactions in 2026.