Surveyors indicate housing market optimism 'returning'

Surveyors' body Rics suggested would-be buyers were gradually looking to test the housing market

Some optimism is "creeping back" into the housing market in Scotland, surveyors have suggested.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said a survey of members found buyer interest grew across the country last month.

It suggested inquiries rose as would-be buyers were gradually looking to test the market.

The survey also indicated that the number of homes coming up for sale increased during November.

Rics said modest house price falls were seen, albeit at a slower pace than earlier in the year.

Northern Ireland and Wales experienced the most significant drops, according to respondents in those areas.

London was the only part of the country to indicate an increase in prices.

Rics Scotland director Sarah Speirs said: "There is certainly some optimism creeping back into the housing market in Scotland, and it is encouraging to see an increase in potential buyers across parts of the country where the market has particularly suffered in recent years.

"That said, there is still a long way to go and the long-standing barriers to home ownership are still very much a problem for the likes of first-time buyers.

"Additionally, the macro economic picture continues to weigh heavy on the market and continues to prevent any really significant boost in activity."