Scotland's houses 'most affordable'

House prices are below the UK average

Scotland has the most affordable housing in the UK, according to a survey by the Bank of Scotland.

The bank's quarterly Scottish house price index said that despite a 17.3% increase in house prices over the past year, the cost of properties in Scotland is less than the UK average.

The average price of a house in Scotland in the second quarter of 2003 was £77,820 compared to £129,443 for the UK as a whole.

The average property in Scotland costs 3.1 times average earnings.

This is below the long-term average for Scotland of 3.4, and much lower than the 4.7 ratio for the UK.

Average price

The average home-buyer in Scotland now spends 12% of their gross annual income on mortgage payments, compared to a peak of 20.2% in 2000.

However, the average house price in Glasgow rose above the £100,000 barrier for the first time.

The city joins Edinburgh, Livingston, Aberdeen, Dunfermline and Dumfries and Galloway as one of the most expensive areas in the country.

Prices in Scotland in the second quarter of 2003 were 6.7% higher than the previous three months, which compared with a 3.3% increase for the UK as a whole.

The outlook for the Scottish housing market remains very positive with affordability at historically low levels Martin Ellis Chief economist

Dumfries & Galloway (48%), Fife (35%) and Lothian (27%) all saw strong increases in house prices over the past year.

Demand was much weaker in the Borders with average selling prices in the second quarter 2003 a more modest 5% higher than in the same period last year.

Prices remain highest in Edinburgh with an average property price of almost £161,000, well above the UK average house price of £130,000.

Commenting on the figures, Bank of Scotland chief economist Martin Ellis said: "Housing in Scotland remains the most affordable in the UK.

"The outlook for the Scottish housing market remains very positive with affordability at historically low levels.

"We expect house prices to continue to rise at a similar pace to that seen during the first six months of the year."