Page 12 - ESPC Property Market Report - Mar-Aug 2023
P. 12

WEST LOTHIAN                                                                                                                                                                           The average selling



                                                                                                                                                                                                 price for property in
                                                                                                                                                                                                  West Lothian was
                                                                                                                                                                                                   £246,181

                                                                                                                                     Buyers paid less of the Home Report                          - an 8.1% increase
                                                                                                                                                                                                      annually
                                                                                                                                     valuation as options broadened
                                                                                                                                     Buyers in West Lothian paid, on average, 100.9%
                                                                                                                                     of a property’s Home Report valuation, which is                                 West Lothian
                                                                                                                                     4.1 percentage points less than the same time                                properties achieved
                                                                                                                                     last year.                                                                      100.9%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  on the Home Report
                                                                                                                                     66.3% of homes in the region sold for at least                                  valuation on
                                                                                                                                     their Home Report valuation, down from 89% in                                     average
                                                                                                                                     the same time last year, and 94.6% in the year
                                                                                                                                     prior to that. As we have seen in many regions
                                                                                                                                     covered throughout this report, this is a familiar
                                                                                                                                     scenario across the board, as rising levels of                 The sales
                                                                                                                                     properties coming onto the market have impacted             volume rose by
                                                                                                                                     the pressure on buyers to bid wildly above                    18.5%
                                                                                                                                     valuation, and sellers’ expectations have shifted to        compared to the
                                                                                                                                     accommodate lower bids in order to secure a sale.            previous year
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Homes took a
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         median time of
                                                                                                                                     Househunters looking for a home in Bathgate                                         31 days
                                                                                                                                     could secure a bargain, as homes here sold for
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             to sell
           Average selling prices rose                     Sales and insertions both increased                                       97.7% of the Home Report valuation on average.
           significantly across West Lothian               substantially
                                                                                                                                     Properties took longer to sell, with
           West Lothian experienced a significant rise in   There was a significant rise in both new property
                                                                                                                                     more options on the market                                           New
           its average selling price during September 2023   listings and property sales across West Lothian during                                                                                  property listings
           – February 2024, with the average rising 8.1%   September-February, indicating a thriving local market.                   The property market in West Lothian moved at a                 aligned with sales
           year-on-year to £246,181. This is the biggest price   New property listings rose 18.8% year-on-year, and sales            slower pace during September-February, as homes                 volumes, rising
           increase recorded across all regions in this report,   volumes closely aligned with this, increasing 18.5%.               took a median time of 31 days to go under offer.                  18.8%
           highlighting a strong demand for family homes                                                                             This is 15 days slower than the same time last                   year-on-year
           in the area compared to recent years. With its   Livingston recorded the highest number of homes                          year, which, when combined with a higher volume
           affordability compared to Edinburgh alongside   coming onto the market, followed by East Calder,                          of homes on the market, indicates that buyers
           its excellent commuter links, West Lothian is   Winchburgh, Linlithgow and Broxburn.                                      are taking more time to consider their options
           becoming an increasingly strong contender with                                                                            carefully and are under less pressure to act quickly
           those looking to find an affordable family home   Interestingly, only some of these areas then achieved                   to secure a home.
           close to the Capital, with strong schooling and   the highest sales volumes: Livingston was once again
           excellent local amenities nearby.               in pole position, followed by Bathgate, East Calder,                      This is reflected in the level of closing dates set:
                                                           Winchburgh and Uphall Station.                                            11.9% of homes for sale in the region went to
           Livingston was the most affordable area of West                                                                           closing, down from 31.5% the previous year.
           Lothian to buy a home, with properties here     Three-bedroom houses in Livingston were the most
           selling for £191,560 on average. East Calder was   popular property purchases, and they significantly                     East Calder recorded the highest demand from
           the most expensive location, with an average    increased in popularity when compared to the same                         househunters, with 25% of properties for sale in
           selling price of £299,496.                      time the previous year, with sales volumes up by 42.9%.                   this area setting a closing date.



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