| A recent report has suggested that Scotland is | | | | property price increases have either stopped or in |
| the best place in the UK to buy property. Scottish | | | | some places started to fall. |
| properties are continuing to rise in value, according | | | | According to Leigh Bradnick of England Estates, an |
| to Halifax and this area of the country may hold | | | | estate agent based in Birmingham, prices "are |
| some excellent property investments for canny | | | | being cut by at least five per cent, and vendors |
| property investors. | | | | are having to go lower still when finally negotiating |
| Property price inflation in Scotland is higher than | | | | a completion price". |
| anywhere else in the UK except London and | | | | He advised that property owners "are having to |
| Northern Ireland. Prices have risen by 0.7% in the | | | | be very realistic about what their properties are |
| past 3 months and are more than 14% higher | | | | worth". |
| than a year ago. | | | | However this is not the case everywhere as |
| The Nationwide Building Societies house price index | | | | property prices in London and the Southwest |
| claims that Scottish house prices have risen by | | | | they are continually rising which means that first |
| 2.5% in the last quarter and by 12% over the | | | | time buyers and young people are finding it harder |
| past 12 months. | | | | and harder to get onto the property ladder. |
| Research from the Edinburgh Solicitors Property | | | | However the general 'slowdown' in property prices |
| Centre (ESPC) has concluded that house price | | | | may not be a bad thing for savvy property |
| inflation has gone up in September, climbing to | | | | investors and landlords. Properties can be bought |
| 13% to 10.6% the previous month. | | | | cheaper and investors will be able to bargain |
| This is in contrast to property prices in some of | | | | harder as sellers have to be more realistic with |
| the major UK towns and cities in England where | | | | what they can accept. |