Overview
- Zoopla’s latest seven‑week snapshot finds homes sell in 33 days on average across the UK, up one day on last year, while London now takes 41 days, up six.
- The slowdown is steep in parts of the capital such as Harrow, where the average wait rose to 54 days from 33 last spring, as northern regions and Scotland hold steady or move faster.
- Mortgage costs jumped after the Middle East conflict lifted swap rates that lenders use to price loans, and recent falls in swaps have led several lenders to cut fixed rates.
- London buyers face higher stamp duty, about 3% of the purchase price on average versus roughly 1% elsewhere, which strains budgets more when rates rise.
- Market activity looks resilient with buyer enquiries rebounding after Easter and sales agreed about 3% lower in April year on year, while UK prices are up 1.3% and London and the South East are slightly down around 0.2% as analysts warn the full impact may still unfold.