Analysis by Zoopla has revealed where in Britain homes are selling fastest - and slowest.

On average, there are 36 days between a home being put on the market, and a sale being agreed - in other words, an offer being made and accepted. 

However, across the country this varies widely, with the quickest homes selling in 19 days and the slowest taking 62. 

Over half (52 per cent) of homes find a buyer within the first two months of listing.  

To complete a sale, sellers and buyers will typically need another four to six months. 

In the first three months of this year, homes sold fastest in Manchester, and the borough of Waltham Forest in east London, Zoopla found. 

In both these locations, homes are sitting on the market for just 19 days before they find a buyer on average. 

Despite high house prices in the London borough of Waltham Forest, with the average property selling for £525,000, it represents good value compared to many other parts of the capital.

It has a number of good schools, low burglary and crime rates, and a large number of green areas, making it a popular location for families looking to stay within commuting distance of central London. 

Manchester is a seller's market, according to Zoopla. The city is well-known for its young and vibrant population, bars, cafes and restaurants.

It has a student population of over 100,000, roughly half of whom choose to remain in the city after graduation, according to one study - only London has a higher retention rate.

A strong jobs market, good transport links, rich cultural scene, and ongoing urban regeneration make it an attractive location for many first-time buyers.

It also faces demand from buy-to-let investors due to the the rental demand being huge. The city centre population is forecast to grow 200,000 in the next few years.

Homes selling faster in the north 

Homes in northern regions of England tend to sell faster than homes in southern regions, where prices are higher, according to Zoopla.

Homes in the North West and North East regions of England take on average 32 days to sell and account for six of the top ten fastest moving markets in England and Wales.

Carlisle is another fast moving property market with homes there taking 20 days on average to find a buyer.

So too are Stockport in Greater Manchester, Gateshead in the North East of England and Redditch in the West Midlands. Homes in all three areas are taking 22 days on average to sell. 

Homes in Scotland tend to also move fast, spending an average of 21 days on the market before a sale is agreed.

What else causes a slow market?

Location is not the only factor impacting how long it takes to sell a property.

Homes that are priced incorrectly for the local market will take longer to achieve a sale or may not sell at all, according to Zoopla

It says, where homes don't attract sufficient demand and sellers, and agents reduce the asking price by 5 per cent or more, these homes take almost twice as long to sell, an average of 43 days. 

Nigel Bishop, founder of buying agency, Recoco Property Search, says: 'Setting the right asking price often dictates how quickly a property will sell. 

'Some sellers learn this the hard way and are eventually forced to accept a price reduction. 

An over supply of homes in some local markets is also causing property to sit on the market for a lot longer, according to Zoopla.

With 150 councils across the UK introducing double council tax for second homes, second-home hotspots like coastal towns are seeing a boost in supply, something that is significantly affecting the length of time it takes for properties to sell in these areas.

Properties in East Lindsay in the East Midlands, an area known for its stunning coastline that includes seaside towns like Skegness and Mablethorpe, are taking on average 59 days to sell.

Meanwhile, homes in the Welsh county Gwynedd, another second home hotspot that has increased council tax by 150 per cent, also taking an average of 59 days to sell.

'House hunters base their search on various criteria but the budget tends to be the deciding factor,' added Bishop.

'Whilst some properties will demand a premium due to location or nearby amenities, we are seeing fewer buyers willing to enter bidding wars – especially in parts of the UK where numerous properties have been put up for sale.'

The type of properties being sold is also playing a crucial role.

Two and three-bed homes are the fastest-selling property type, with flats and larger houses taking longer to sell due to increased supply and greater choice for home buyers. 

The average time to sell a two-bed home is 23 days, two days faster than the previous year. 

Two and three-bed homes appeal to several types of buyers. They are generally seen as better value for money, particularly for first-time buyers. 

Downsizing empty-nesters, who are not ready to give up elements like a garden or more living space, may also look to buy this type of home.

Flats and four plus bed homes take the longest time to find a buyer, taking an average of 31 days and 38 days, respectively. 

The early weeks of 2025 saw an 18 per cent rise in the number of flats on the market, with a more modest increase of 7 per cent in the number of houses for sale. 

This increase in supply is running well ahead of new sales agreed, something that is significantly impacting the time to sell for these types of properties.

Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: 'It currently takes just over a month to agree a home sale across England and Wales, but this varies widely across the country and by property type with smaller family homes the fastest selling homes.

'Households that are thinking about listing their home and moving in 2025 need to set their asking price at the right level and take the advice of local agents. 

'Buyers have a lot more choice of homes for sale than a year ago. Aiming too high on the asking price is likely to impact saleability and how long you may have to wait to agree a sale.'