Revealed: Key Property Trends and Market Insights for Property Professionals

As 2024 draws to a close, one of the UK’s largest property portals has unveiled a wealth of information into buyer behaviour and market trends over the past year. From the fastest-moving property markets to the features most searched for by buyers, the data offers property investors, developers and landlords valuable insights for planning future investments and understanding buyer priorities.

With over 1.1 million property sales completed in 2024 – a 10 per cent rise from 2023 – the year has marked the busiest pipeline in four years. But what standout trends shape the market and what do they reveal about buyer priorities?

Fastest-moving property markets in 2024

The average time to sell a property in 2024 was 33 days, down from 34 days in 2023.

Scotland dominated the rankings for the fastest-moving property markets, with Falkirk leading the way at an average of just 15 days to sell a property. Glasgow City and West Lothian followed closely, averaging 16 and 17 days, respectively. The speed of the Scottish market is attributed to the region’s approach, where properties are marketed with a valuation and survey upfront, reducing negotiation delays.

In England and Wales, Liverpool was the standout performer, with properties selling in just 19 days on average. Manchester (23 days) and Waltham Forest (25 days) made up the top three, showcasing strong demand in the urban hubs.

Fastest-moving UK markets:

Fastest-moving markets in England and Wales:

 

Most and least expensive UK properties 

The year also revealed stark contrasts between the UK’s most and least expensive property markets. Kensington and Chelsea topped the list for both sales and rentals, with an average property price of £1,132,100 and monthly rents of £3,518. At the other end of the scale, Inverclyde in Scotland emerged as the most affordable area to buy, with average property prices of just £105,800. Hartlepool in County Durham was the cheapest rental market, with an average rent of £564 per month.

The year’s most viewed properties 

Among the year’s standout listings was a Disney-themed property in Rhyl, Wales, which captured the attention of the national press and became 2024’s most-viewed listing with 219,000 views.

Other highly viewed properties included a three-bed terraced property in Horley, Surrey…

…and a two-bed terraced house in Barry, Wales located on the road where the exterior of Stacey’s family home from the sitcom Gavin and Stacey was located.

For luxury buyers, a six-bedroom mansion on Grosvenor Crescent, London, took the crown as the UK’s most expensive listing at £65 million.

Internationally, a Beverly Hills estate listed at over £67.6 million was the priciest property featured on the platform.

Buyer trends

The demand for flexibility and potential was evident in the trending search terms of 2024. “Freehold” retained its top spot as the most-searched keyword, reflecting buyers’ preference for greater ownership rights. “In need of modernisation” jumped an impressive 134 places, indicating strong interest in renovation opportunities.

New keyword entries such as “study” reflected the shift toward remote working, while “cottage” and “double garage” signalled a growing demand for lifestyle properties. The platform also revealed that 80 per cent of users now prioritise floorplans over property photos, highlighting the importance of practical space considerations in the search process.

Top 5 keyword searches in 2024 vs. 2023:

What’s next for 2025?

Looking ahead, the platform predicts a 2.5 per cent increase in house prices and a rise in sales completions from 1.1 million in 2024 to 1.15 million in 2025. Furthermore, first-time buyers are expected to continue driving the market, while improved affordability and income growth may further boost property transactions.