Properties for sale reaches highest level in two years

The number of properties going on the market usually increases in spring

The number of Scots trying to sell their homes has reached the highest level in nearly two years, according to chartered surveyors.

Last month 85% more surveyors reported an increase, rather than a decrease, in instructions to sell homes.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said the forthcoming election had contributed to the rise.

Sarah Speirs, deputy director of RICS Scotland, said many vendors were eager to sell amid "political uncertainty".

In February, just 11% of surveyors reported an increase rather than decrease in house sale instructions.

New buyer enquiries have also risen, with 45% more surveyors reporting an increase in March compared to 17% the previous month.

We may see some modest price falls although at the moment, Scotland is continuing to perform well Sarah Speirs RICS Scotland

However, the RICS UK Housing Market survey also revealed the second decrease in the number of chartered surveyors recording a growth in house prices since September.

Last month 31% of chartered surveyors said there had been an increase, compared to 36% in February this year.

A total of 69% said prices had remained the same compared to 64% in February.

Icy weather was blamed for a blip in house-buying after the number of surveyors recording a rise in January dropped for the first time since September.

Chris Highton, from Allied Surveyors Scotland in Selkirk, said there appeared to be a pick-up, although it was still "early days".

"Sellers are coming into the market in increasing numbers and we are also seeing significant levels of purchaser activity," he said.

Closing dates

Anthony Perriam, of Rettie and Co in Edinburgh, said closing dates with competing offers were occurring in around 15-20% of transactions.

He added: "The market is very evidently supply starved."

Ms Speirs said spring was a time when the number of properties going on the market usually increased.

But with the general election approaching and "uncertainty growing" over the political direction of the country, many vendors were now eager to sell, she said.

She added: "With stocks increasing and sales decreasing we may see some modest price falls although at the moment, Scotland is continuing to perform well."