Despite signs of a housing market recovery following the Autumn Budget sellers in higher-priced regions are still facing slow sales, latest research from Yopa reveals.
Analysis of current listings found that properties listed for 12 months or more are most concentrated in London, which accounts for 17% of all slow-to-sell homes.
The South East follows with 15%, while the South West and North West each account for 13%. By contrast, the North East recorded the lowest proportion at just 4%, with the West Midlands, East Midlands and Yorkshire & the Humber each at 9%.
Yopa says that while the market remained resilient throughout 2025, many sellers struggled to generate buyer interest amid higher borrowing costs and uncertainty around the Autumn Statement, including the potential for a stamp duty cut.
CHALLENGES PERSIST
The Bank of England’s interest rate cuts in December and growing buyer confidence have helped but challenges persist for sellers seeking a fast sale in the most inflated regions.
Verona Frankish (main picture, inset), CEO of Yopa, says: “2025 was a more measured year for the housing market and for many sellers, particularly in higher priced regions, securing a buyer proved more challenging than they may have anticipated.
“The outlook for 2026 is encouraging.”
“That said, the outlook for 2026 is already far more encouraging and we’re already seeing renewed momentum build as buyer confidence improves and lending conditions continue to ease.
“Of course, a pragmatic approach is still required on the side of sellers, particularly those in more inflated regions such as London and the South East and a realistic approach when setting their asking price is the first step in securing a buyer in 2026.”
