House sales on the up in the Highlands
Figures just released by the Highland Solicitors Property Centre (HSPC) show that the number of houses in the region sold during 2013 increased by 16% on the figures for the previous year.
This is the first annual rise in house sales in the Highlands and Islands since the pre-financial crisis peak in 2007. The total value of houses sold was also the highest since 2008, up 15% on 2012.
Average house prices for the year held up reasonably well at £162,089 – just 0.6% down on 2012. This compares to a fall of 1.8% in average prices between 2011 and 2012.
Sarah Woodcock, Manager of HSPC, said: "The 2013 figures are certainly encouraging, with the sales volume and value both up considerably on 2012, although the average price is down fractionally.
"Closer examination of the figures reveals that the number of active properties has fallen by 29%. This is a substantial reduction and it indicates that houses in the Highlands are now selling more quickly than the number of properties coming onto the market.
"This is an indication that some of the pent-up demand that has been building up over recent years, is turning into sales. Clearly more people now feel they are able to make their move.
"This is the result of a number of factors, most notably easing of the mortgage supply and growing confidence from potential buyers in their own financial prospects."
A clear indication of the continuing Interest in the Highlands and Islands property market comes from the HSPC website statistics. The number of visitors to the site at www.hspc.co.uk continues to grow, ending 2013 up by seven per cent on 2012.
More on the local housing picture in Thursday's Strathy
