Edinburgh houses are selling fast with increasing interest from buyers in England – Helen Martin

As Edinburgh and the Lothians are expected to have the fastest population growth in Scotland over the next ten years, it’s interesting to hear that Edinburgh and Glasgow are already seeing the fastest house sales in the whole of the UK.

Edinburgh houses are selling fast with many people deciding to relocate from south of the border (Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA)

According to Zoopla, UK cities are on an average of 27 days to make a sale, while the average for Edinburgh is 17 days and Glasgow is 16 days.

And Savills have said buyers from England are heading up here with our Scottish sales in July and August up 60 per cent from 2019.

It seems the possibility of independence isn’t putting the English off. Are they moving up to get away from Boris Johnson, hoping to get back in the EU, or assuming they’ll have a chance to preserve the Tories or Labour? Or is it just that even our luxury homes are much cheaper than London or the Home Counties?

It may also be because they have checked out the Edinburgh-based removal firm, 1st Movers. Their website has a marvellous dozen “surprises” and positives about moving to Scotland, such as no prescription fees, no tuition fees, and it’s easier to get a divorce!

There’s more daylight, a lower crime rate, city car insurance is lower and drivers show “patience and courteousness”.

There is one downer that can’t be avoided. “The weather in Scotland is certainly more miserable than English weather, no matter what city you compare it with. Scotland in general is windier, it rains a lot and winters are dull and miserable, a notch above England.” Can’t disagree.

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