As we head into autumn, the latest ESPC figures give us a good window into how the summer market has shaped up — and it’s largely good news across the board.
What's Happening Out There?
Between June and August, the average selling price across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, and the Borders climbed to just over £295,500. That’s a 4.5% increase compared to the same time last year. Steady, sustainable growth — and a good sign for both buyers and sellers.
Homes are still going for more than their valuation, too. On average, sellers achieved 102.4% of the Home Report value, which is almost identical to last year. That tells us competition remains healthy, even if things aren’t quite as frantic as they were post-lockdown.
Listings, Sales, and Selling Speeds
New properties coming to market nudged up very slightly — by 0.8% — while sales activity picked up more noticeably, rising by 7.1%. That rise in transactions suggests confidence is returning, especially now that interest rates seem to be holding steady.
As for how quickly things are moving: the median time from listing to offer dropped to 20 days. That’s one day faster than last year — not a seismic shift, but another marker of a well-balanced market.
The only small dip came in the number of properties going to closing date, which dropped from 23.3% to 22.2%. Nothing major, but a subtle sign that urgency has eased slightly for some buyers.
Regional Standouts
The biggest price growth came in East Lothian, where the average sale price jumped by 12.1% to just under £304,000. West Lothian wasn’t far behind, with a 9.8% increase, bringing the average to just over £290,000. And in West Fife & Kinross, prices were up by 8.5%, with the average sitting just shy of £237,000.
The takeaway? Demand remains strong in well-connected suburban and coastal areas — something we’ve been seeing consistently for the last 18 months.
Edinburgh's Micro-Markets
In the capital, there’s a bit more variation. Some neighbourhoods are flying — particularly in the southwest, where areas like Balerno and Currie saw prices rise by more than 16% year-on-year, now averaging around £385,000.
But not every postcode is on the same trajectory. Prices in the city centre and northwest dipped slightly, with drops ranging from 2.6% to 4.1%. That could be down to rising flat supply or buyer preference shifting toward houses with more space and outdoor access.
What Does It All Mean?
The summer data paints a picture of a market that’s in pretty good health. Sellers are getting strong prices, deals are being agreed quickly, and there’s a healthy flow of properties coming to market.
At the same time, the market isn’t overheating. Valuation-to-sale price ratios have held steady, and the slight dip in closing dates suggests buyers aren’t under the same pressure they were a year or two ago.
If this pace continues into autumn, we’re looking at a stable, confidence-driven market — which is a win for everyone involved.
The full ESPC House Price Report can be found here: https://espc.com/news/post/house-price-report
