A Tayside property expert has predicted the housing market will see an upsurge in activity in 2014.
George Solley, director of property sales at Thorntons Property Services, believes the spring market will provide a boost to the industry but activity could start to increase even earlier.
He said: “Many of those in the market, buying or selling, are planning around the spring, but the early birds may gain from taking a look at things now.
“Over the last few months we have seen an increase in business across all our offices and this looks set to continue into 2014.
“There is also the revival in the new-build sector as the market improves and developers have, or are looking to, recommence activity in anticipation of demand. Reserving off plan may become a feature again as people look to reserve at released prices, in anticipation of later releases at higher prices.”
Mr Solley said the Government Help to Buy scheme, which provides government assistance to those seeking to get onto the property ladder for the first time, is helping revitalise the market.
He continued: “As market conditions for sellers improve, we will see more properties coming to the market as confidence returns.
“In addition the prospect of recovering upfront costs, including home reports, becomes less of an issue.”