A new report from the property platform Zoopla reveals that the time required to sell a home has increased in 180 out of 363 local authorities across England, Scotland, and Wales compared to the previous year. While the national average time to sell remains steady at 42 days, the data highlights a growing regional disparity in the housing market.

Market analysts point to mortgage volatility as a primary driver for the slowdown. Potential buyers are increasingly adopting a "wait and see" approach, hoping for more favorable lending conditions as the broader economic climate remains uncertain. The report explicitly links this hesitation to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has contributed to instability in financial markets. While some areas continue to see high demand, the shift suggests that the urgency previously seen in the housing market is cooling in many regions as buyers become more cautious about committing to long-term mortgage agreements in a fluctuating interest rate environment.