The period recorded a general slowdown in sales volume and new listings. While the broader market saw steady growth, specific regions outperformed significantly.

East Fife emerged as the “star performer” with a 14.4% surge in property prices, bringing the average to £294,153. The Borders and East Lothian also recorded double-digit growth of 10.3% and 10.2% respectively. In Edinburgh, the capital saw a more modest annual increase of 3.5%, taking the average house price to £316,063.

Buyers seeking value found opportunities in West Lothian, specifically in Livingston and East Calder, where properties achieved averages of 97.9% and 99.7% of their Home Report valuation respectively.

The data suggests a maturing market where buyers are taking more time to decide. The median selling time was 24 days, three days slower than the previous year. However, West Fife & Kinross bucked this trend, with homes going under offer in a swift 15 days.

Volume metrics hint at a cautious financial climate as year-on-year new listings were down 8.9% and sales volumes decreased 4.9% across all the regions covered. Buyers paid an average of 101.8% of the Home Report valuation, a marginal decrease of 0.2 percentage points year-on-year.

Despite the dip in volume, Dunfermline retained its title as the top area for both listings and sales volume.

Sellers appear confident in current conditions, with 86.0% of homes listed using the offers over pricing structure – rising from 77.7% in 2024. However, the number of properties going to a closing date dropped slightly, indicating a shift away from frenzied bidding wars toward more considered offers.

Paul Hilton, CEO of ESPC, highlighted the market’s resilience during a traditionally quieter season. “Properties are taking slightly longer to sell, and we’ve seen fewer closing dates compared to last year,” He noted. “Rather than viewing this as a negative, I see this as a sign of a maturing, more balanced market where buyers are taking time to make considered decisions.”

Mr Hilton added that the current conditions offer “real opportunities” for first-time buyers, particularly regarding affordable flats in areas like Dunfermline.