According to the latest figures from ESPC, covering September to November 2025, the market is showing signs of maturation with buyers taking more time to make decisions.
The median selling time increased to 24 days, three days longer than the previous year.
East Fife emerged as the standout performer with a remarkable 14.4 per cent surge in property prices, bringing the average to £294,153.
The Borders and East Lothian also recorded impressive growth of 10.3 per cent and 10.2 per cent respectively, while Edinburgh saw a more modest increase of 3.5 per cent, with average house prices reaching £316,063.
West Lothian offered value opportunities for buyers, particularly in Livingston and East Calder, where properties achieved 97.9 per cent and 99.7 per cent of their Home Report valuation respectively.
This contrasts with the regional average of 101.8 per cent of valuation, which represents a slight decrease of 0.2 percentage points from the previous year.
The data reveals a cautious financial climate, with new listings down 8.9 per cent and sales volumes decreased by 4.9 per cent across all regions.
Despite this slowdown, Dunfermline maintained its position as the top area for both listings and sales volume.
West Fife & Kinross defied the general trend of longer selling times, with homes going under offer in just 15 days, significantly faster than the regional average.
Seller confidence remains high, with 86.0 per cent of homes listed using the offers over pricing structure – a substantial increase from 77.7 per cent in 2024.
However, fewer properties went to closing dates compared to the previous year, suggesting a move away from competitive bidding wars toward more measured offers.
The current market conditions appear to be creating opportunities for first-time buyers, particularly in areas like Dunfermline where affordable flats are available.
Paul Hilton, CEO of ESPC, emphasised the market’s resilience during what is traditionally a quieter season.
“Properties are taking slightly longer to sell, and we’ve seen fewer closing dates compared to last year,” he told Scottish Financial News.Â
“Rather than viewing this as a negative, I see this as a sign of a maturing, more balanced market where buyers are taking time to make considered decisions.”
Mr Hilton expressed optimism about the opportunities for new entrants to the property market, stating that the current conditions offer “real opportunities” for first-time buyers, particularly regarding affordable flats in areas like Dunfermline.
“Rather than viewing this as a negative, I see this as a sign of a maturing, more balanced market where buyers are taking time to make considered decisions,” Mr Hilton said.
