Optimism returns to Aberdeen property market - CKD Galbraith

CKD Galbraith is reporting a healthy increase in residential sales across Aberdeenshire for the final quarter of 2016 following a period of market hesitancy in the wake of June’s Brexit vote.

Prospective house buyers and those considering selling in the region became more proactive during the quieter winter months of October – December, with CKD Galbraith’s Aberdeen office experiencing a rise in property sales of more than two-fold compared with the same quarter of 2015.

The number of viewings conducted by the office’s residential team also increased by 24 per cent and the number of prospective buyers registering with the Aberdeen office rose by 36 per cent compared with the last three months of 2015.

Hannah Christiansen, head of residential sales at CKD Galbraith’s Aberdeen office, said: “We experienced a level of uncertainty from both buyers and sellers throughout 2016, however, as the reverberations following the political event of last year settled down, optimism returned and those who were holding off taking decisions have sprung back into action.

“Market conditions in the residential property sector have been unpredictable of late but with crude prices making a recovery, the optimism we have experienced should allow for greater confidence and help to further strengthen the market.

“Buyers are becoming more active during the winter months and we would encourage sellers to start marketing prior to the traditional spring selling period when the market can become heavily saturated.”

CKD Galbraith operates a network of regional offices across Scotland and figures for the firm as a whole during the last quarter of 2016 show a rise in sales of 17 per cent compared to the same period in 2015, with 12 per cent more properties being brought to the open market and 18 per cent more viewings conducted.

The firm has also witnessed a promising start to 2017 handling over £9.5 million worth of property sales and conducting 760 viewings during January alone.