House sales in the Highlands are continuing to forge ahead, with buyers acting quickly when they find a property that meets their needs, according to independent property consultancy Galbraith.
Galbraith’s Inverness office is consistently one of the busiest and this past quarter (1 July–30 September 2019) is no exception.
The average selling time has fallen to 19 weeks and the fastest sale this quarter was achieved in just 16 days. Sales per quarter have remained at the same consistently high level for the past three years – the highest sales figures in the region since pre-2008 levels.
Phiddy Robertson, who leads the Galbraith agency team in Inverness, said: ‘The market in the Highlands has continued to improve this year with significantly more activity at all price levels. As in previous years, there was a slight tail off in viewings and offers in early autumn, however, there is generally a pattern of increased activity in the run up to Christmas and in early New Year when people are motivated to sort out their affairs and start to make plans for the future.’
Figures from OnTheMarket.com show that the Christmas period is a good time of year to consider selling as its online traffic rose by 13.7m during the festive period last year. Property searches on Google also grew by 150% at Christmas last year.
Galbraith has conducted 23 per cent more market appraisals this year than at the same time in 2018 and 496 prospective purchasers have registered with Galbraith in Inverness this quarter. The number of homes being brought on to the market (82 this quarter in the region) is also at an extremely high level, showing that Highland homeowners have the confidence to sell.
Phiddy continued: ‘We are still in a recovering market, however, the activity witnessed this year suggests that many buyers and sellers have accepted that the current political and economic uncertainty will continue for some time to come, so if the motivation or need is there to move house, they will.
‘There are many reasons to live in this part of Scotland – very good schools, lovely rural scenery and beautiful lochs and coastlines for those who enjoy water sports. You are never far away from a munro or a mountain and there are so many beautiful parts of the region for walking, cycling or other outdoor sports.’
On average Galbraith handles £51.7 million worth of property sales per quarter for all regions of Scotland.
The firm is one of the largest and most long-established property consultancies in Scotland, with roots stretching back over a hundred years. Galbraith recently expanded into the North of England with three new offices in Northumberland and Cumbria.
To find out more about Galbraith visit www.galbraithgroup.com
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