Barnet homes now take 52 days to sell as London market slows
Average sale time in the borough has risen by nine days since July 2025, Zoopla data shows
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Barnet homes are taking longer to sell than a year ago, new figures show. The average property in the borough now spends 52 days on the market before securing a buyer, nine days more than the 43-day average recorded in July 2025. The increase places Barnet among the majority of London boroughs where sale times have lengthened over the past 12 months.
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Across Greater London, the average home now takes 48 days to sell, four days longer than last July. Zoopla data, published by the *Evening Standard*, shows that 23 of the capital’s 32 boroughs have seen sale times increase. Westminster remains the slowest market, with properties taking 63 days on average, while Waltham Forest is the fastest at 33 days.
The shift follows a rise in housing inventory to a 16-year high, according to Rightmove. With more properties available, buyers can compare options, wait for price reductions and negotiate harder. Higher mortgage rates and economic uncertainty have further slowed decision-making, Zoopla said.
Barnet mirrors wider London trends
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Barnet’s nine-day increase in sale time is steeper than the London average. The borough now ranks 18th slowest out of 32, with properties taking four days longer to sell than the capital-wide figure. Neighbouring Enfield and Harrow report similar trends, with average sale times of 51 and 50 days respectively.
London house prices fell by 3.7% year-on-year in May 2026, according to separate figures. Flats and maisonettes saw the sharpest decline, dropping 6.6% over the same period. The data suggests sellers are adjusting expectations as buyer demand softens.
If you're selling in a slower market, don't take a wait-and-see approach - talk to a local agent who knows what's happening street by street, and make sure your home is priced right from day one.
Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla
What happens next for Barnet sellers
Zoopla advised sellers to consult local estate agents for street-level market insights. Pricing competitively from the outset remains the most effective way to avoid prolonged sales, the company said. Residents can also monitor Zoopla’s monthly market reports for updates on local trends.
Questions this report answers
+How long does it take to sell a home in Barnet now?
Barnet homes now take 52 days on average to sell, nine days longer than in July 2025. The figure comes from Zoopla data reported by the *Evening Standard* and reflects a wider slowdown in London’s housing market.
+Why are homes taking longer to sell in London?
Higher mortgage rates, increased housing inventory and economic uncertainty are giving buyers more leverage. With more properties available, buyers can compare options and negotiate harder, Zoopla said, leading to longer sale times.
+Which London borough has the slowest housing market?
Westminster has the slowest market in London, with properties taking 63 days on average to sell. Tower Hamlets follows at 60 days. The data was published by Zoopla and reported by the *Evening Standard*.
+What can Barnet sellers do to speed up a sale?
Zoopla advises sellers to consult local estate agents for street-level insights and price competitively from the outset. The company said this remains the most effective way to avoid prolonged sales in a slower market.
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