Perth’s leading property service has seen a positive start to 2014 with January activity higher than in previous years. Perth’s leading property service has seen a positive start to 2014 with January activity higher than in previous years.
James McKay, property manager at Thorntons Property Services, was encouraged by the number of houses being viewed by potential sellers in January.
He said: “Our branch, in George Street, has seen a phenomenal amount of activity for January compared to previous years.
“Our potential sellers have asked us to look at over 30 per cent more properties this January compared to the same period in 2013, in anticipation of selling these homes in the springmarket.
“All areas of Perthshire have seen uplift in inspection numbers, and in particular the usual hotspots of Oakbank, Craigie, Scone and Kinnoull remain active in this early New Year period.”
The number of properties coming on to the market is good news according to James.
He added: “There have been over 10 per cent more houses coming to the market in the first four weeks of the year compared to last January, another sign that the Perth property market is regaining confidence.”
But looking ahead to the summer James is not expecting any big increases in the price of local properties.
He said: “I think we will see a continuing increase in selling and buying activity over the coming months.
“However, I still think prices will remain broadly similar to last year with one or two exceptions.
“Perhaps we will see some small price increases for bungalows in good areas including Scone and Oakbank.
“These types of properties still remain very popular, as do three bedroom ex-local authority properties in Letham and North Muirton.
“I don’t think there has been a better market in the last five years to both buy and sell.
“Sellers can be reassured that there is more viewing activity and buying activity than in recent years.
“Buyers feel it is a good time to consider a purchase as property prices are not increasing dramatically.”