House sales in Capital rise by 18.3%

HOUSE sales in the Capital have risen by 18.3 per cent in the past year, new figures show.

Statistics from the Registers of Scotland showed property sales across Scotland in the first three months of the year up almost nine per cent compared with the same period last year.

The figures confirm other recent surveys suggesting a recovery in the housing market.

Prices nationally also increased by 1.7 per cent, though in Edinburgh they were down by 0.8 per cent.

House sales in East Lothian were up 10.9 per cent and in West Lothian by 7.5, but in Midlothian they fell 7.2 per cent.

Andrew Rettie, of Strutt & Parker, said: “While these figures must be viewed with caution, they do suggest the Scottish property market is in relatively good order and will continue, hopefully, to improve. We have had a very successful few months and are optimistic about the remainder of 2012.”