There’s loads to love about the North West, from vibrant cities and cultural landmarks to national parks and seaside towns.
And it now has another string to its bow. The North West is officially the hottest housing market in England in June 2025, with the most sales, strongest price growth and quick sale times.
In fact, homes here sell four days faster than the average across England and Wales, with sales agreed after just 27 days of a home going on the market.
So where are homes selling the quickest in the North West? What factors are speeding up sales in these spots?
Let’s dive in. Here are the top 10 locations in the North West where homes sell the fastest.
1. Halton, Cheshire: 16 days to sell
4 bed detached house for sale in Sutton Weaver, Halton: £675,000
Halton in Cheshire tops the list of our fastest-moving markets, with homes being snapped up in just 16 days. That’s the fastest average sale time in the whole of England and Wales.
The district is defined by the twin towns of Runcorn and Widnes, positioned on either side of the River Mersey and connected by two iconic bridges. This unique geographical setup supports a strong industrial sector and excellent transport links across the North West.
Add in the area’s eco commitments and plenty of parks and green belt land, and it’s easy to see why Halton is attracting buyers from all over the North West.
The average house price in Halton is £167,500, making it one of the cheapest places to buy a home in the whole region. This is a big factor in the level of demand and fast sales in the area.
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2. Copeland, Cumbria: 19 days to sell
4 bed detached bungalow for sale in Whitehaven, Copeland: £219,999 guide price
Next up is Copeland, where homes are selling in just 19 days on average.
Copeland is nestled on the west coast of the Lake District with unrivalled access to dramatic natural landscapes like Scafell Pike and Wastwater Lake. Its biggest town is Whitehaven, a pretty harbour town that was once the third largest port in the UK.
This area is a hidden gem when it comes to affordability, combining low house prices with high incomes - largely thanks to its thriving nuclear sector. The average house price in Copeland is just £149,500, allowing for a great quality of life and high disposable income.
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3. Oldham, Greater Manchester: 20 days to sell
3 bed detached house for sale in Lees, Oldham: £360,000
Oldham is next on our list of the fastest markets in the North West, with sales being agreed after 20 days on average.
The Greater Manchester town is perched right on the edge of the Peak District and its choice of good schools is a big draw for families. Oldham is defined by its history in the cotton industry, so you’ll find lots of gorgeous cottages and converted mills set in quintessential villages.
The town is undergoing significant regeneration with new shopping centres, markets, food halls, parks and cultural attractions, plus you can hop on the Metrolink tram and be in Manchester in half an hour.
House prices in Oldham are averaging £187,400, a rise of 2.2% in the last year, making this up-and-coming city an affordable place to live.
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4. Chorley, Lancashire: 22 days to sell
3 bed terraced house for sale in Buckshaw Village, Chorley: offers over £189.995
Over in Chorley, homes are being snapped up 22 days after going on the market.
The district is named after the market town of Chorley, and there are charming villages and hamlets dotted around the outskirts.
The area benefits from easy access to Manchester, Preston and Bolton, while the area’s lovely scenery, picturesque parks and historic landmarks have made it a prime spot for stylish new-build developments.
Chorley has a higher average house price than other places on our list, with a current average of £211,400. But that’s still less than half the national average of £268,200.
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5. Carlisle, Cumbria: 22 days to sell
3 bed semi-detached house for sale in High Carnaby, Cumbria: £375,000
Carlisle comes in at number five on the list, with strong demand meaning homes only sit on the market for 22 days on average.
Nicknamed 'The Great Border City', Carlisle is most famous for its historical importance during conflicts between England and Scotland. Today, stylish cafes, Victorian arcades and Temperance-era buildings border charming cobblestone streets.
The small yet vibrant city is set between the Solway Estuary, the Pennines, the Lake District, the Eden Valley and Northumberland National Park, giving unrivalled access to natural beauty on both sides of the border.
The average house price in Carlisle is £165,400. That’s a strong 3.5% rise in the last year, showing the rising popularity of Carlisle in the current market.
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6. Knowsley, Merseyside: 23 days to sell
5 bed detached house for sale in Knowsley, Merseyside: offers over £725,000
Located on the north-east outskirts of Liverpool, Knowsley has an average sale time of 23 days.
The area is well established and family friendly, boosted by excellent transport links to Liverpool and Manchester, award-winning green spaces and plenty of cultural attractions.
The average house price here is just £161,200, but there are many higher-end properties in leafy pockets of Knowsley too. The main towns of Kirkby, Huyton, and Prescot are popular options, and there are lots of smaller villages for a quieter vibe.
The area has seen several new developments pop up in the last few years, giving buyers more choice and the option to use a new-build buying scheme to get on the ladder faster.
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“Convenience and connectivity aside, so many towns in the North West region have greatly improved with more cosmopolitan amenities and local high streets thriving,” says Sarah Cartlidge, Branch Manager at the estate agency Fraser Reeves in the Merseyside area. “This gives a boost to the area’s economy and makes this an excellent place to live and put down roots for years to come.”
7. Hyndburn, Lancashire: 24 days to sell
8 bed detached house for sale in Accrington, Hyndburn: offers over £750,000
We’re back to Lancashire next with Hyndburn, where homes are selling in just 24 days.
The borough encompasses towns like Accrington, Oswaldtwistle, Great Harwood and Rishton, and sits between the larger hubs of Blackburn and Burnley.
With a proud industrial past but well within reach of beautiful countryside like the Forest of Rossendale, Hyndburn is attracting buyers from all over.
This has pushed house prices up 3.3% in the last year, but it’s still the cheapest location on our list with an average price of £129,600.
If you want to find a bargain, it’s well worth setting up a saved search for the area. Just click the heart button when you search to save your criteria for later.
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8. Preston, Lancashire: 26 days to sell
5 bed detached house for sale in Lea, Preston: £799,950
Homes in Preston are selling in 26 days on average, making it the eighth fastest-moving market in the North West.
As Lancashire's main commercial centre, Preston is a great option for that lively city feel, along with job opportunities and transport connectivity. The university contributes to a strong economy and locals love that Preston retains a friendly community atmosphere, despite its city status.
The average house price in Preston is currently £162,000, a modest rise of 1.4% in the last year.
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9. Warrington, Cheshire: 26 days to sell
5 bed detached house for sale in Warrington, Cheshire: offers over £750,000
Next on our list is Warrington, where homes are selling in 26 days on average.
With unrivalled connectivity and a prime spot between Liverpool and Manchester, Warrington is a great option for commuters.
But there’s plenty to stick around for in Warrington itself. With millions invested in its town centre, a strong business scene, diverse job opportunities and fab shopping and dining options, Warrington is now a bustling urban destination in its own right.
There’s a real mix of areas and properties in Warrington, with some parts regularly seeing homes sell for more than £1 million. This is reflected in a comparatively higher average house price of £238,700, a rise of 2.2% in the last year.
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10. St. Helens, Merseyside: 26 days to sell
3 bed semi-detached house for sale, St. Helens, Merseyside: offers in region of £325,000
St. Helens is up next, where homes are selling in 26 days on average - one day quicker than average across the North West region.
The Merseyside town is famous for its industrial past in rail travel, its successful rugby league team and famous faces like Johnny Vegas. St. Helens has a surprisingly rural feel despite its great connections, with 65% of the borough designated green belt.
Beyond this, home buyers have their eyes on the town centre regeneration, with big plans for fresh new-build homes, business investment and new public spaces.
House prices in St. Helens are currently averaging £170,400, with growth of 2.8% since this time last year.
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The top 10 fastest moving markets in the North West
Local authority | Days on the market (May 2025) | Days on the market (May 2024) | Average house price |
Halton | 16 | 31 | £167,500 |
Copeland | 19 | 23 | £149,500 |
Oldham | 20 | 30 | £187,400 |
Chorley | 22 | 27 | £211,400 |
Carlisle | 22 | 24 | £165,400 |
Knowsley | 23 | 23 | £161,200 |
Hyndburn | 24 | 28 | £129,600 |
Preston | 26 | 26 | £162,000 |
Warrington | 26 | 31 | £238,700 |
St. Helens | 26 | 30 | £170,400 |
Source: Zoopla Research, May 2025
Why are homes selling so quickly in the North West?
It all comes down to the affordability of property in the region, which creates demand and speeds up sale times.
With cheaper homes than most other UK regions, more people can afford to move - particularly with recent relaxations in mortgage testing. This lifts demand and creates competition, meaning you have to move fast if you see a property you love.
“The housing market in the North West is the strongest market in England with the highest level of house price inflation and more sales being agreed,” says Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla.
“A growing economy and more affordable house prices are supporting activity and leading to faster sales times. Changes to how banks assess mortgage affordability in recent weeks have provided home buyers across the UK with an extra 20% borrowing capacity which will support the market in the second half of 2025.”
How do I speed up buying a home?
How to get ahead of other buyers in a fast market
When homes are selling quickly where you want to buy, there are steps you can take to put yourself at the front of the queue.
First of all, make sure you’re the first to hear about new properties as soon as they hit the market. Head to your account to turn on property alerts and be the first to hear about homes that match your criteria.
When you make an enquiry on a property, be ready to have a chat with the estate agent and set up a time for a viewing. They’ll be keen to hear more about your search and they may be able to share other properties with you - even ones that are not yet on the market.
Make sure your own home is at least up for sale by the time you make an offer. If you’re a first-time buyer, your lack of chain will be attractive to sellers.
Get your finances in order and line up a good mortgage broker and conveyancer early in the process.
Find out more about how to put yourself ahead of other buyers.
Buying a home guide
From finding the perfect place right through to exchanging contracts, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
