Property sales across Fife are being driven forward by a rising demand for quality rural homes within commuting distance to towns and cities.
That is according to independent property consultancy, CKD Galbraith.
Its Cupar office has reported a 71% rise in the number of properties sold and a 23% increase in the number of properties brought to the Fife market during the first three months of 2016 compared to the same quarter last year.
Partner George Lorimer said those figures were very encouraging, reflecting that confidence has been fully re-established in the Fife property market.
“Especially sought after are three to four bedroom quality rural houses with some land and within easy reach of the region’s popular towns and cities.”
He said the Cupar area was especially sought after as it offered good value and has excellent amenities and is within easy commuting distance of Dundee and Edinburgh, with transport links set to improve later on in the year when the Queensferry Crossing opens.
The Fife lettings market has also experienced a very positive first quarter with the number of lets secured by the Cupar office doubling and the number of properties available to let rising by 35% from the same period last year.
Lettings manager Sean Cruickshank said: “Rural Fife has experienced a growing demographic of tenants who, despite being able to afford a mortgage, have chosen to remain or even return to the rental sector.”
Many were also renting between house purchases, adding to the high demand.