The property market in Perth has rocketed to levels not seen since before the global financial crash in 2007, selling agents have revealed.
Aberdein Considine said the surge in sales activity across the region since January has been “phenomenal” reporting a near 60% increase in its own sales compared with last year.
Properties valued up to £250,000 are selling “within days” in some parts of the city, the firm said.
New figures from the Registers of Scotland (RoS), Scotland’s official keeper of property records, also show a spike in sales.
According to its latest figures, £30 million worth of property changed hands in the city and surrounding region in January, up from £22m over the same period last year.
Aberdein Considine’s Perth branch manager James McKay, who has been selling property in the city for more than two decades, said increased interest is being shown at all levels of the market.
“The surge in sales activity on our properties since the start of January has been phenomenal,” he said.
“After 22 years in the business, even I am surprised by how much business levels have increased over the winter and into spring.”
He said: “We have seen a surge in requests for viewings for houses priced between £50,000 and £250,000 in all areas of the Perthshire market. The upper market above £250,000 is showing encouraging signs too”
The RoS figures show that 168 homes were sold across the area in January, up from 128 in January last year. The average sale price has also rose from £175,888 up to £183,802 over the period.
Mr McKay added: “Our figures across the Perth market are all on the up. Year to date, the number of properties we have sold has increased by 57% compared with the same period last year.
“The average sale price of our sold properties has increased by approximately 17%, and the total combined value of our sold properties has increased by an incredible 84% compared with the same period last year.
“In Perth, there is strong buyer demand in most areas including Oakbank, Viewlands, Craigie, Kinnoull and Scone.
“Several recent sales in the Oakbank and Craigie areas took place only a few days after the start of marketing.”
He said there is also strong demand in Blairgowrie, Bridge of Earn, and other villages such as Balbeggie.
“As far as I can predict, this is only the start of what promises to be an exceptional year for sales in the Perth market,” Mr McKay said.