South East struggles as the toughest region to sell homes

Properties in the South East of the UK face the steepest hurdles to sale, while Scotland emerges as the smoothest market for sellers, research reveals.

According to TwentyCi’s latest Property & Homemover Report covering April 2024 to March 2025, the regional disparities show how easy or difficult it is to sell homes.

It has evaluated postcodes with at least 250 new listings over the past year, using metrics like the percentage of asking price achieved, likelihood of sale completion and transaction speed.

The South East scored poorly across these measures, while Scotland topped the charts.

Sellers struggle to sell

The firm’s chief executive, Colin Bradshaw, said: “Long known for its combination of economic opportunity and leafy towns and villages within easy reach of London, the South East has traditionally been one of the UK’s most attractive regions for homebuyers.

“While still desirable, it’s now the most challenging region in which to sell, likely due to mounting affordability pressures such as high mortgage rates that are making it harder for buyers to access the market.”

He added: “Over the past year, average asking prices in the region have dipped by 0.6% but sales agreed are up by over 8%.

“This demonstrates an active demand, but this growth lags behind other regions in England which have seen gains of over 14% in the same timeframe.”

Sellers don’t achieve asking price

In the South East, homes fetch just 95.6% of their initial asking price, trailing the UK average of 97%.

Only half of listed properties sell, compared to 55% nationwide, and 41% of listings require at least one price reduction, higher than the 37% UK benchmark.

Deals also falter more often, with a 26.5% fall-through rate against the national 24%.

However, sales that do proceed wrap up in 78 days, slightly quicker than the UK’s 84-day average.

Scotland’s system wins

Scotland, by contrast, boasts a vibrant market as homes sell in about 49 days, with 78.6% of listings reaching completion.

Sellers often secure 105.4% of their asking price, buoyed by the country’s ‘offers over’ bidding system.

Only 19.5% of properties see price reductions, and just 13% of deals collapse, thanks to Scotland’s streamlined legal processes.

Price differences underscore the divide with South East properties listing at an average of £494,000, far above Scotland’s £232,000.

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