Scotland house prices end the year over two per cent higher

The most recent report from the Registers of Scotland has revealed the average house price for a property in Scotland during December 2019 was £151,603, an annual price increase of 2.2 per cent.

report blue and green graphs.jpg

The positive figures are not reflected throughout the whole country as prices increased in only 25 out of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas. Aberdeen recording the biggest decrease of 3.4 per cent to £146,910 contrasted with properties in Inverclyde which increased over the year by 10.1 per cent to £102,979.

There is also a marked difference in the average house price geographically. The City of Edinburgh retains the highest average property price at £269,603 which is a 2.8 per cent increase on the same period in 2018, compared to £104,211 in North Ayrshire.

With the average price paid by a first-time buyer being £122,364, many first-time buyers looking to get on the property ladder will have to look further afield than the City of Edinburgh to find that dream home.

Estate agents will be encouraged to see there has been an increase in the volume of sales which has continued throughout the country, with 9,250 recorded for the month compared to 9,127 for the same period in 2018. 

It is great to have evidence of the rise in prices which should encourage more vendors to the market. More properties coming to the market, particularly at the higher end, will give those first and second steppers, who are perhaps concerned about finding a suitable property more of a choice and will then be inspired to put their own on the market.

Daryl McIntosh.jpg
Daryl McIntosh Strategic Development Manager | Propertymark