SCOTLAND is home to both the fastest-moving and slowest-moving property markets in the UK, exposing a massive real estate divide across the country.
A study published on 29 June reveals that Aberdeen has topped the list as the UK’s most difficult city to sell a home, with 61.3% of properties remaining unsold after five weeks (36 days).
By contrast, Glasgow is officially the easiest city in the UK to secure a sale, with only 31.3% of listings sitting unsold past the five-week mark.
Edinburgh followed closely as the second easiest market in the country, with just 40.6% of properties remaining on the market after 36 days.
The research, conducted by Property Buyers Today, analysed Rightmove data across the 80 largest cities in the UK against the national average selling time of 36 days.
In Aberdeen, out of 488 active listings, 299 have been on the market for longer than five weeks. Experts suggest the low volume of total listings compared to other major UK cities points to a local demand issue rather than an oversupply of housing in the Granite City.
Glasgow’s highly competitive market was praised for its rapid movement, driven by relative affordability and regional developments. In the capital, high-value homes in areas like the West End, Stockbridge, and Dean Village continue to draw swift buyer interest, leaving Edinburgh’s unsold rate nearly 20 percentage points lower than London’s.
Saif Derzi, founder of Property Buyers Today, noted that Scotland’s major cities dominate both ends of the national property table.
Mr Derzi said: “It’s interesting that Scotland’s three largest cities occupy important spots in both rankings, with Aberdeen having the highest percentage of properties unsold after 36 days in the UK, while Glasgow and Edinburgh have the lowest percentages.
“The findings suggest that each city’s supply and demand dynamics are more important than size or reputation. Cities with a better balance between available listings and consistent interest maintain a steady and faster-moving market.”
Nationally, Salford ranked as the second toughest market in the UK with 60.4% of homes unsold after five weeks, followed by Peterborough at 58.8% and London in fourth place at 58.6%.
The UK’s 10 Hardest Cities to Sell Property
| Rank | City | Listings Unsold Over 36 Days | Total Active Listings | Percentage Unsold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aberdeen | 299 | 488 | 61.3% |
| 2 | Salford | 1,142 | 1,890 | 60.4% |
| 3 | Peterborough | 1,071 | 1,820 | 58.8% |
| 4 | London | 35,753 | 61,050 | 58.6% |
| 5 | Preston | 410 | 711 | 57.7% |
| 6 (=) | Blackpool | 731 | 1,275 | 57.3% |
| 6 (=) | Birmingham | 3,406 | 5,941 | 57.3% |
| 7 | Nottingham | 1,106 | 1,943 | 56.9% |
| 8 | Slough | 670 | 1,185 | 56.5% |
| 9 | Exeter | 800 | 1,418 | 56.4% |
| 10 | Luton | 804 | 1,433 | 56.1% |
The UK’s 10 Easiest Cities to Sell Property
| Rank | City | Listings Unsold Over 36 Days | Total Active Listings | Percentage Unsold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glasgow | 571 | 1,824 | 31.3% |
| 2 | Edinburgh | 630 | 1,551 | 40.6% |
| 3 | Basingstoke | 281 | 685 | 41.0% |
| 4 | Swindon | 615 | 1,463 | 42.0% |
| 5 | Bristol | 1,478 | 3,467 | 42.6% |
| 6 | Worcester | 352 | 795 | 44.3% |
| 7 | Gloucester | 536 | 1,189 | 45.1% |
| 8 | Plymouth | 710 | 1,570 | 45.2% |
| 9 (=) | Blackburn | 202 | 440 | 45.9% |
| 9 (=) | Norwich | 855 | 1,861 | 45.9% |
| 10 | Northampton | 770 | 1,667 | 46.2% |
