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, utilized four key indicators to determine the most promising postcodes: affordability, average time to sell a property, the proportion of properties on the market for more than six months, and the likelihood of price reductions.
These metrics were carefully analyzed to identify the postal areas with the highest growth potential for 2026. Regions ranking at the top typically experience fast property sales, minimal price cuts, and a lower-than-average inventory of unsold properties. Scotland particularly stood out, claiming nine out of the top 10 spots based on these combined factors.
According to Zoopla’s data, Motherwell (ML) emerged as the top-performing postcode for the year with an anticipated 3.4% increase in prices to £134,700. Properties in Motherwell are typically sold within just 14 days, with only 7% remaining on the market for over six months. Glasgow followed closely as the runner-up, with an average property price of £163,600 projected to rise by 3%, and a speedy selling time of two weeks.
In England, the North West region, particularly Wigan’s WN postcode, featured prominently in Zoopla’s national top 10 list. Wigan boasts an affordable average property price of £175,800, with a projected 3% price increase this year, although homes take around 32 days to sell on average.
Liverpool secured the 11th spot, with a forecasted 3.5% price rise, while other English cities expected to have strong property markets include Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Carlisle, and Northampton.
Conversely, areas that were once known for soaring house prices 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 average property price remaining significantly higher than the national average at £797,600.
Neighboring areas in West London, East Central London, and South West (SW) London also ranked among the weakest postcodes. In Wales, Cardiff emerged as a promising property market due to a low percentage of homes remaining on the market for an extended period.
Northern Ireland experienced significant house price inflation over the past year, with average prices rising by 6.5%. This growth is attributed to a rebound in house prices after a decade of lagging behind the rest of the UK. Belfast secured the 25th spot in the national rankings for the year.
Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, emphasized the importance of considering local housing market conditions for making informed decisions in the property market. He highlighted the potential for growth in sales activity and house prices in various regions across the UK, with a focus on demand, affordability, and selling times.
While Scotland and Northern England present strong prospects, opportunities exist nationwide where demand and affordability align. Slower price growth is anticipated in lower-ranked markets, particularly in Southern England and London. However, improved affordability suggests a more positive outlook for London compared to recent years.
Donnell also stressed the significance of understanding local housing conditions and tailoring pricing and marketing strategies accordingly for successful property transactions in 2026.