Podcast: What’s been happening in the Edinburgh property market?

The ESPC Property Show is back! In this episode, Megan & Paul return for season 6 to discuss the local property market in Edinburgh, and revisit the old debate on seasonality in the housing market. While sellers often hit pause during the school holidays, buyers are still out there making moves, meaning the summer isn’t quite as quiet as it used to be.

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Key Insights

Strong summer sales

Sales were up an impressive 8% in June and July compared to last year, showing that buyers are staying active despite the holiday season. Listings only edged up by 1%, which makes this growth in sales stand out even more.

A quieter August, but demand bubbling under the surface

August felt slower, with 8% fewer homes for sale than last year. But behind the scenes, buyer interest stayed high: viewing requests and page views on espc.com jumped significantly. Paul’s prediction? A busy September and October as more homes hit the market.

Hot spots and rising stars

Certain areas and property types are leading the charge. Flats in the city centre are still in high demand, including from overseas buyers. Family homes just outside Edinburgh - especially in Balerno, Juniper Green, and Musselburgh - are seeing a surge too, with Musselburgh singled out as a new “hot spring” market.

First-time buyer territory moving fast

Leith, Portobello, and Easter Road are the speediest markets, with homes there selling in a median of just 14 days. These areas remain first-time buyer favourites, where competition is fierce and properties don’t hang around for long.

Confidence on the rise

Sellers are feeling bolder, with a good window of opportunity to list before the winter slowdown. Buyers, meanwhile, are benefitting from lower borrowing costs thanks to three recent interest rate cuts, with fixed mortgage deals now dipping under 4%.

No crash on the horizon

Paul was clear that there’s no sign of a housing market crash. Instead, steady and sustainable growth is the most likely scenario, thanks to continued demand and an ongoing shortage of new-build homes.

Practical advice for buyers and sellers

The takeaway? Don’t try to time the market... move when it feels right for you. And if you’re buying, sign up for a My ESPC account: with over 82% of properties listed exclusively on ESPC before other platforms, it’s the best way to get ahead in competitive areas.