All elements of the Perthshire property scene were “on the up” in 2010, experts have claimed.
Year-end statistics released by the Perthshire Solicitors’ Property Centre (PSPC) revealed that over £165 million worth of homes were sold during the last 12 months — up almost 10% on the 2009 figure.
The average value per “sold” sign was also up, as was the number of properties sold.
“In 2010 the centre broke through the 1000 properties sold barrier,” said PSPC chairman Alastair Anderson. “That clearly illustrates a brighter picture than that in 2009.”
However, Mr Anderson also revealed that the year had tailed off, saying, “I would describe figures for the final quarter as disappointing.”
Mr Anderson also issued a caveat to those predicting better times and said mortgage lenders had a huge role to play in ensuring confidence returns to the market. He believes that should they fail to loosen the purse strings, 2011 could prove to be yet another difficult year.
“We are delighted to report such positive year-end statistics which illustrate a significantly healthier picture than at this time last year,” Mr Anderson continued. “However, it became clear as 2010 wore on that the effects of the recession were belatedly drifting north of the border.”