Zoopla data uncovers most viewed homes, fastest and priciest markets, and shifting buyer preferences across the UK
With the UK property market expected to close 2024 with 1.1 million sales completions, property listing website Zoopla has revealed key trends and buyer behaviours shaping the year.
Starting with the most viewed property of 2024, Zoopla disclosed that the three-bedroom semi-detached home in Rhyl, Wales, featuring a Disney-themed interior, garnered 219,000 views after going viral in September.
Other properties capturing attention include a three-bedroom terraced home in Horley, Surrey, listed for £280,000, and a two-bedroom terraced home in Barry, Wales, located on the street made famous by the TV show Gavin & Stacey.
The most expensive property sold on Zoopla this year in the UK was a £65 million property on Grosvenor Crescent, London, featuring six en-suite bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen, and a private spa.
January emerged as the busiest month for Zoopla users, followed by February and March. This trend aligns with the annual “Boxing Day Bounce,” when property searches surge after Christmas. Floor plans also gained popularity, with 80% of users reviewing them before photos.
In terms of listing activity, May was the most popular month for sellers, while August recorded the highest number of completions, with HMRC reporting 104,740 transactions valued at £40,000 or more.
The average time to sell a home in the UK dropped to 33 days in 2024, slightly faster than 2023’s 34 days. Falkirk was the fastest-moving market, with properties selling in just 15 days, followed by Glasgow City (16 days) and West Lothian (17 days).
The five fastest-moving markets were all in Scotland, where upfront valuations and surveys streamline transactions. Liverpool led England and Wales as the quickest market, with an average time to sell of 19 days, followed by Manchester (23 days) and Waltham Forest in London (25 days).
The keyword “freehold” topped Zoopla’s most-searched terms for the second consecutive year, with new entries such as “cottage” and “double garage” making the top five. Terms like “in need of modernisation” and “study” also saw significant jumps in popularity.
Kensington and Chelsea retained its status as the UK’s most expensive local authority for buying a home, with an average house price of £1.13 million — 10 times the average price in Inverclyde (£105,800), the country’s most affordable area.
The rental market also saw London boroughs dominate the highest rents, with Kensington and Chelsea leading at £3,518 per month, nearly triple the UK average of £1,270. Hartlepool, County Durham, offered the lowest average rent at £564 per month, followed by Dumfries and Galloway (£571) and East Ayrshire (£579).
The northernmost property sold in 2024 was a two-bedroom home on Unst, part of the Shetland Islands, listed for £105,000. In the south, the most southerly property sold was a £455,000 three-bedroom home in Lizard, Cornwall, offering access to coastal walks and beaches.
Zoopla predicts continued momentum in 2025, forecasting 1.5 million sales completions, driven by improved affordability and rising incomes. First-time buyers are expected to remain the largest buyer group, enabling housing chains and moves for existing homeowners. House prices are projected to grow by 2.5% in 2025.
Want to be regularly updated with mortgage news and features? Get exclusive interviews, breaking news, and industry events in your inbox – subscribe to our FREE daily newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.
