Property can be more than just a place to live—it can also be a smart way to build wealth.
Selling Homes in the UK: The Real Picture
A new report using data from the Land Registry and Registers of Scotland shows how much money people across the UK are really making when they sell their homes.
On average, homeowners in England and Wales made around £72,000 in profit. That’s about a 38% increase from what they originally paid. Imagine earning the price of a brand-new car just by living in your home!
But not every region tells the same story. Some areas are bringing in big profits, while others are growing at a slower pace.
Where Homeowners Make the Most Profit
The biggest winners are still in London and the South East.
Home sellers in London earned an average profit of £130,000, while those in the South East made about £94,000.
That’s a huge difference compared to the North East, where average profits were only around £35,000.
Why the big gap?
London and the South East have higher property values, longer ownership periods, and strong price growth before Brexit. On the other hand, the North East took longer to recover after the 2008 financial crisis—but the good news is, prices there are finally picking up again.
Average Home Sale Profits Across the UK
| Region | Avg. Profit (£) | Avg. Profit (%) | Avg. Time in Property (Years) | Median Sold Price (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £130,000 | 35% | 10 | £513,000 |
| South East | £94,000 | 35% | 9 | £370,000 |
| East | £84,000 | 36% | 9 | £330,000 |
| South West | £80,000 | 37% | 8 | £303,000 |
| West Midlands | £70,000 | 41% | 9 | £247,000 |
| East Midlands | £68,000 | 41% | 8 | £243,000 |
| Wales | £65,000 | 45% | 9 | £210,000 |
| North West | £62,000 | 42% | 9 | £215,000 |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £55,000 | 38% | 9 | £205,000 |
| Scotland | £37,200 | 24% | 6 | £154,700 |
| North East | £35,000 | 26% | 9 | £165,000 |
| England & Wales Average | £72,100 | 38% | 9 | £285,000 |
Does Staying Longer Help You Make More?
In most cases, yes.
The longer you stay, the more your property grows in value. But there’s a twist—those who stayed 15 to 20 years didn’t always make more profit than people who sold after 10 to 15 years.
Why? Many long-time owners bought their homes before or during the 2008 financial crash, when house prices dropped.
Still, in places like London and southern England, homeowners who stayed longer saw the biggest gains.
Meanwhile, in lower-cost regions that grew quickly after Covid, even short-term owners made good money.
How Often Do People Move?
Across the UK, most people sell their homes after about 9 years.
In London and the South East, that number rises to 10 or 11 years, because moving there is expensive—thanks to high prices and stamp duty.
In commuter towns like Slough, Watford, and Romford, people also stay in their homes for around 9 years.
And in big cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds, people often move less because it’s harder to find affordable new homes.
Real-Life Example
Take Emma, who bought her home in Manchester 10 years ago for £190,000.
This year, she sold it for £265,000, making a profit of £75,000.
She plans to buy a smaller house in the countryside and use the extra cash for travel.
Stories like Emma’s show how property ownership can quietly build wealth over time.
What This Means for Homeowners
If you’re planning to sell, remember this:
Your location, timing, and how long you’ve owned your home make a big difference in how much profit you’ll get.
Even though the housing market has slowed down in 2025, people who bought their homes years ago are still seeing strong gains.
And for newer buyers, steady growth means your investment is still working for you—it just might take a little longer.
Your home is more than just a roof over your head—it’s also a long-term investment that can pay off in surprising ways.
Whether you’ve made £30,000 or £130,000, every pound shows how powerful property ownership can be.
If you’re thinking about selling, do your research, check your local prices, and plan your next move wisely. The UK housing market might slow down now and then, but owning a home is still one of the best ways to build wealth over time.
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