ESPC house-price report for July-September
ESPC’s latest house-price report, covering Edinburgh and the Lothians, Fife and the Borders, reveals that despite an overall reduction in activity, average selling prices increased by 0.7 per cent, year-on-year, rising to £298,870.
The Borders saw a nine per cent annual rise in property selling prices to £240,007, largely due to rising prices, combined with a boost in the sales of detached properties in the area.
This region is significantly more affordable than many other locations, which ESPC said may explain the rising appeal for properties that offer substantially more for the price.
Dunfermline was home to the most affordable property type, with two-bedroom flats selling for £147,572 on average. They were also the quickest-selling property type, going under offer in a median time of just 10 days, indicating extremely strong demand for affordable homes.
In Edinburgh, one-bedroom flats in Gorgie were the cheapest property on the market, selling for £159,941. Two-bedroom flats in Leith remained the top-selling property type across the regions, although sales volumes were down almost 13 per cent on the same time last year, signalling buyer caution.
Seller optimism remained high despite the economic climate and buyer anxiety; during July-September, the level of properties marketed using the ‘offers over’ pricing method increased 9.9 percentage points compared to July-September 2025, indicating that sellers are keen to encourage premium bidding on their properties and feel hopeful to confident that this will be the case.
Paul Hilton, ESPC chief executive said: “The latest figures point to a property market that is cooling rather than contracting, with the wider economic backdrop continuing to influence buyer behaviour.
“Mortgage rates remain higher than even a year ago, and the effects of previous interest-rate rises are still being felt, alongside rising energy and fuel prices, meaning affordability is likely to remain an important consideration for households.
“Fewer properties going to a closing date is perhaps the clearest indication that competition between buyers has eased slightly. However, the market remains steady, with demand continuing to vary considerably between locations and property types.
“While sales volumes are down compared with an exceptionally strong 2025, the current pattern of activity is more comparable with the market seen around two years ago.”
“We expect to see this trend continue over the coming months, with the market remaining relatively steady but increasingly selective and locally driven. Buyers will continue to act decisively when they find the right property, while sellers will need to remain mindful of changing affordability and buyer expectations.”
Pictured: Leith
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