Two-bedroom flats in Leith were the top-selling property type — with sales volumes up 48.8% — in the September-November 2024 quarter in the Edinburgh, Lothians, Fife and Borders area.
“The subsequent most-popular properties to sell were four-bedroom houses in Dunfermline, followed by three-bedroom houses in Dunfermline and one-bedroom flats in Leith,” said the latest ESPC House Price Report.
“This tells us that there appears to be a significant number of first-time buyers and young professionals buying first- or early-stage homes in Leith, while Dunfermline appears to be attracting family buyers in their droves.”
The average selling price of property across Edinburgh, Lothians, Fife and Borders rose 5.3% annually to £286,263 during September-November.
Sales volumes rose 24.1% compared to the same time last year. New property listings rose by 7.4% year-on-year.
Properties achieved 102.1% of their Home Report valuation on average, just 0.6 percentage points less than at the same time last year, and 21.8% of properties on the market went to closing dates, an increase of 1 percentage point annually.
“All regions (with the exception of East Fife) experienced healthy boosts to their average selling prices; West Fife & Kinross experienced an 11.2% annual rise, taking the average there to £228,389, while the Borders’ 9.1% increase meant properties sold for an average price of £214,973,” said ESPC.
“Edinburgh’s average selling price enjoyed a 4.3% annual boost to £306,320, making it the most expensive region to buy a home in. In the city centre, property prices rose by a substantial 8.8% year-on-year, with a new average selling price of £342,540.
“Dunfermline offered a mix of results; its average selling price was £228,574, a significant increase of 20.2% compared to September-November 2023.
“However, two-bedroom flats in the city were the most affordable properties on the market overall, coming in at £124,541 on average. This indicates that the city is increasingly popular with buyers at a variety of life stages, with something to suit across a range of budgets.
“The figures reveal that two-bedroom properties in the city sold in the highest volumes overall, but there were increasing volumes of three- and four-bedroom houses sold, which has likely contributed to the significant boost in the city’s average selling prices.
“The most expensive neighbourhood in which to buy a property was Edinburgh’s affluent Grange area, where the average selling price was £611,866 – almost double Edinburgh’s overall average. Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders was the most affordable location, with homes in the town selling for £143,467 on average.”
ESPC CEO Paul Hilton said: “This month’s figures offer a fascinating insight into the current property market across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders.
“It’s clear to see that there’s one standout region in West Fife & Kinross, and one standout city that’s grabbing plenty of attention: all signs are pointing to a real surge in popularity and demand for Dunfermline, with properties of various types and sizes commanding plenty of attention from buyers.
“The clear demand for family homes is certainly suggestive of increasing numbers of families and second steppers relocating to the city, while the interest in two-bedroom flats and houses certainly indicates that younger buyers are also interested in calling this city home.
“Elsewhere, it’s great to see yet another month of high sales volumes and increasing property listings, showing in no uncertain terms that the market remains incredibly active – something that should offer buyers and sellers alike plenty of reasons to feel confidence and optimism in their own property journeys.
“Property prices have risen overall compared to last year, but the premiums paid by buyers remain fairly consistent, largely thanks to the increasing numbers of properties on the market helping to maintain a level of balance and healthy competition.
“The autumn is typically a period where the market begins to slow, so it’s great to see that this autumn has bucked all the trends on that front, with plenty of prospective buyers and homeowners looking to make a change ahead of the New Year.”