Between 2016 and 2025, London, the South West and the South East each recorded falls of around 20 percentage points in off-plan sales — the sharpest regional declines in England and Wales.
Flats remain the property type most likely to be sold off-plan. In 2025, 55% of flats in England and Wales were sold before construction was complete. The North West recorded the highest regional share at 69%, ahead of London at 65%. At local authority level, Oldham led with 94% of new flats sold before completion, followed by Wolverhampton (86%) and Salford (81%).
Off-plan sales of houses were less prevalent. In 2025, 40% of terraced homes, 29% of semi-detached properties and 21% of detached houses were sold before completion. Yorkshire and the Humber recorded the highest share of off-plan house sales at 29%, while London was the only region where fewer than one in five houses were sold off-plan, at 15%.
Share of new homes sold off-plan (England & Wales) 
Source: Hamptons and Land Registry
Housebuilders have moved away from flat development in recent years, despite flats being more likely to sell off-plan. Flats accounted for 54% of new homes sold in 2007 but only 22% by 2025. As a result, flats made up just 38% of all off-plan sales in 2025, down from 55% in 2016.
