Which London Borough Boasts the Fastest Property Sales?

Selling in London? You’re probably wondering how long it’ll take. Across the capital, it’s a mixed bag. Some boroughs see homes fly off the market in weeks. Others? Not so much.

So if you’re hoping for a fast sale, where should you be looking? 

Here, we break down which London borough has the fastest property sales, based on the latest time-on-market data. We’ll also explore what’s driving the differences and how you can beat the averages.

How long does it take to sell a home in London?

In London overall, the average time on market is currently 157 days, according to market data for June 2024 to June 2025. That’s the time between listing a property and completing the sale.

It’s worth saying straight off: this is an average. Some homes go in a flash. Others stick around far longer. The area, price, condition and demand all play a role.

Fastest boroughs: the top five

So which parts of London are seeing the quickest sales? Based on the data, these are the five boroughs with the shortest average selling times:

1. Waltham Forest: 115 days
2. Lewisham: 122 days
3. Bexley: 127 days
4. Barking and Dagenham: 128 days
5. Harrow: 132 days

Homes in these areas are shifting quicker than the London average. Waltham Forest, in particular, stands out with sales completing more than a month sooner than the citywide figure.

What do the fastest boroughs have in common?

A few trends link the top performers:

Affordability

Areas like Barking and Dagenham or Bexley tend to have lower property prices than central London, which boosts demand from first-time buyers and families.

Transport upgrades

Places like Waltham Forest have benefited from improved transport links, making them more appealing to commuters.

Regeneration buzz

Lewisham and parts of Harrow have seen steady investment in recent years, adding to their appeal.

Where homes are more affordable and better connected, buyers act fast. And that shortens the time it takes to sell.

Boroughs where it’s slower going

On the flip side, some boroughs are seeing longer waits to sell. These are the five slowest-selling areas in London:

1. Westminster: 255 days
2. Kensington and Chelsea: 237 days
3. Camden: 215 days
4. Hammersmith and Fulham: 199 days
5. Islington: 190 days

Here, homes can take more than eight months to shift. And in some cases, it’s not just about the price tag. Higher-value properties tend to have a smaller pool of buyers, and when mortgage rates are high, luxury homes often linger.

How do bedroom counts affect sale speed?

Across London, three-bedroom homes tend to sell the fastest, often snapped up by growing families. Flats, especially one-beds, can take longer, especially in areas with a lot of rental stock or investor pullback.

Here’s what to expect, roughly:

• 1-bed: slower due to cautious first-time buyers and landlords holding off
• 2-bed: solid demand, but speed depends on price
• 3-bed: sweet spot for speed, especially in suburbs
• 4-bed+: slower, unless in top-performing school catchments

Selling faster in a slower borough

If your home’s in one of the slower areas, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Some properties still sell quickly in those boroughs, especially if they tick the right boxes.

To increase your odds:

• Price realistically from day one
• Get high-quality photos and a proper floor plan
• Tidy up the place before viewings
• Work with an agent who knows the local patch inside out

Or if speed is everything, skip the market altogether and sell directly to a cash house buyer.

Why are some homes selling faster in 2025?

Even with interest rates making mortgages tougher, there’s still strong demand for well-located, good-value homes. In places like Waltham Forest or Lewisham, where the average price is lower and transport links are strong, buyers don’t hang about.

According to government stats, London house prices rose 6.6% between March 2024 and March 2025, pushing the average property price to £519,000. But local figures vary massively. In Waltham Forest, for instance, the average price is around £475,000. In Westminster, it’s over £900,000.

Those lower average prices in the fastest boroughs make it easier for sales to happen quickly.

What if your property’s sticking?

If you’ve already listed and aren’t seeing much interest, it might be time to reassess. Ask yourself:

• Is the price in line with similar local homes?
• Have the photos and description been refreshed?
• Could you improve kerb appeal or staging?

Sometimes small changes are all it takes. Other times, the delay might be out of your hands. For instance, if your buyer’s stuck in a chain or waiting for mortgage approval.

If time’s tight and you’d rather not wait, a direct cash sale might be the way to go.

Need to sell quickly in London?

At Sell House Fast, we buy homes in every London borough. That includes slower markets like Westminster and faster ones like Waltham Forest. You don’t need to do repairs or staging. You don’t even need to hold viewings. We can often complete in a matter of days.

No stress. No faff. Just a fair offer and a faster route to moving on.

Enter your postcode to see how fast you could sell your home in London.