Despite the renewed interest in country living, the markets in Scotland’s cities remain strong due to their access to green spaces, resilient local economies and value for money compared to their counterparts south of the border.

In fact, homes in Glasgow and Edinburgh are selling faster than any other UK city. Properties in Glasgow took an average of just 16 days to sell between May and August this year – down from 22 days a year ago, according to a report by Zoopla.

As a result, in the eight weeks following the opening of the housing market, the city hubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow each saw around 2,600 agreed sales compared to 1,900 during the same period last year, according to TwentyCi.

Whilst the majority of properties are purchased by locals, those from outside Scotland make up a quarter of Savills sales as buyers look to use the equity they have built up to secure a new home and lifestyle north of the border.

Demand for larger properties and more outdoor space continues to drive activity in the popular inner suburbs of Grange, Morningside, Merchiston, Murrayfield, Inverleith and Trinity in Edinburgh and Pollokshields and Newlands in Glasgow. Edinburgh’s prime market growth continues to spread further, most notably in Duddingston and Juniper Green.

Interestingly, properties in central locations such as Edinburgh’s New Town, Stockbridge and the West End, as well as Glasgow’s Park area and West End continue to attract buyers. Here, supply remains constrained, with access to the numerous resident gardens being an important factor for buyers.

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Outside the cities

Access to catchment areas of good schools remains a driving factor in locations such as Bearsden, Milngavie, Clarkston, Giffnock and Newton Mearns in Greater Glasgow. For this reason, the districts covering these neighbourhoods saw a 46% rise in agreed sales since the market reopened, compared to the same time last year.

Meanwhile, the relatively attainable Lothians around Edinburgh also witnessed a 46% uplift in agreed sales, fuelled by the new build market in the coastal hotspots of East Lothian and commuter locations around the City Bypass. Residential developments also supported a 47% increase in agreed sales in some of Glasgow’s commuter towns across Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire.

There is capacity for further growth in the city regions, supported by long term economic and population growth. However, as we enter the autumn market, we advise sellers to remain realistic on price expectations, given the recent significant increase in supply, particularly for Edinburgh city centre flats.

Aberdeen area market

Amongst the activity of this summer, one of the surprise findings was the near doubling in agreed sales in the oil- and gas-dependent Aberdeen area. But this has come off a low base given the suppressed market conditions of the last few years.

However, prior to the lockdown, the market was recovering, led by traditional city hotspots such as the West End, Cults and Bieldside. Areas within easy reach of the city such as Inverurie, Ellon, Stonehaven and Westhill also remained strong. The incentivised new build market was attracting buyers and lifting areas in the north and west of the city.

Like the rest of Scotland, Aberdeen has also witnessed a surge in demand, as well as being ranked the most desirable place to live in the UK by location specialist CACI. Looking ahead, established infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce means that Aberdeen is at the forefront of making a transition towards renewable energy a reality.

For more information, please contact a Savills office in your area or arrange a market appraisal with one of our local experts.

_{Read the articles within Scotland Residential – Autumn 2020 below}