Posted on: Thursday, June 24, 2021
Agents report the sales to stock ratio in Scotland is at a record high (RICS). Across Scotland the annual rate of housing stock turnover is 4.8%, the strongest of any region of the UK. The most active markets are currently Midlothian and East Lothian.
Although new instructions to the market have improved slightly in recent weeks, demand continues to outpace supply, placing sustained pressure on prices. Month-on-month average property prices are rising in all regions of the UK.
Year-on-year price growth across Scotland is substantially stronger than the 0.7% recorded this time a year ago (UKHPI). Double-digit annual price growth is evident in twelve local areas across the country.
Market activity is fast-paced. According to Rightmove, the average time taken to sell a property in Scotland is 27 days. The proportion of properties selling within their first week of listing is at a record high (Zoopla) and the average time taken to sell a property in the UK is nearly three weeks quicker than in April 2019 (Rightmove). Lifestyle change continues to drive demand, buyers also aided by the extension of elements of tax relief and the new 95% government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme, available on either new or resale properties.
Take advantage of the seller's market this summer with the best agent in your area. Contact your local Guild Member today.
We are required by law to conduct anti-money laundering checks on all those selling or buying a property. Whilst we retain responsibility for ensuring checks and any ongoing monitoring are carried out correctly, the initial checks are carried out on our behalf by Lifetime Legal who will contact you once you have agreed to instruct us in your sale or had an offer accepted on a property you wish to buy. The cost of these checks is £60 (incl. VAT), which covers the cost of obtaining relevant data and any manual checks and monitoring which might be required. This fee will need to be paid by you in advance of us publishing your property (in the case of a vendor) or issuing a memorandum of sale (in the case of a buyer), directly to Lifetime Legal, and is non-refundable. We will receive some of the fee taken by Lifetime Legal to compensate for its role in the provision of these checks.