The property market recovery has spread north of the border.
The Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre reports that the number of homes sold through it between June and August was up 35.9% annually, taking sales to the highest level for more than five years.
Activity among sellers also grew, albeit at a more modest annual rate, with the number of homes coming on to the market over the last three months rising by 13.5%.
Despite the sharp rise in market activity, most areas have not seen a substantial rise in the average house price, says the ESPC.
David Marshall, business analyst with the ESPC, said: “The number of home buyers has been rising since the start of 2012, but this rise has been particularly marked over the last few months with sales rising to their highest level for more than five years.
“It’s worth noting though that the number of homes being sold is still about 25-30% less than what you’d have seen at the peak of the market, and in most cases where prices are rising, they are doing so at a comparatively modest rate.
“The majority of sales are still being completed for less than the original Home Report valuation, although sellers are starting to enjoy a little more success in negotiations than has been the case in recent years.
“It’s particularly heartening to see more first-time buyers coming back to the market. Sales of smaller properties were hit hardest following the market downturn but have started to improve this year.”
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