Scottish property sales increase

The volume of homes in Scotland sold increased last month, while the number of prospective purchasers enquiring about property for sale rose sharply for the second month in succession which showed there was more activity in the Scottish housing market, according to the latest RICS Housing Market Survey.

Chartered surveyors in Scotland expect Scottish property sales to continue strongly in the next three months, thanks partly to cheaper home prices.

Scottish house prices dipped slightly last month and chartered surveyors do not expect them to increase in March, as sellers have had to price their properties realistically.

The number of homes in Scotland coming on to the market for sale also increased in February which suggests sellers are accepting the need to price their homes realistically.

Scotland was one of just three areas of the UK which saw a rise in demand for property in February. London and the North East of England also saw more interest.

Graeme Hartley, director of RICS Scotland, said: "Scotland's property market is once again showing different results to the rest of the UK. Scots seem to have more confidence in the market, despite the need for large deposits and a possible interest rate rise. There are more properties coming on to the market and realistic asking prices are attracting potential buyers. Surveyors expect this to continue into spring."