As the year draws to a close, we asked our Director Kevin McLuskey and Property Sales Director Katie MacDonald for their thoughts on the last twelve months of property activity in the city of Edinburgh.
Katie remarked, “ESPC stats show in terms of volume the top three performing districts in Edinburgh this year, to date, are Leith, Corstorphine and Liberton. Leith and Liberton also performed well in terms of average selling price with Leith increasing 6.3% 
year-on-year and Liberton 6.6% year-on-year.
“We have found the lower end of the market has performed well with one and two bedroom flats experiencing a lot of demand from buyers, particularly first-time buyers. Also, good family homes within the catchment areas of favoured state schools have been popular with purchasers.”
The ESPC reported that across Edinburgh as a whole, selling prices achieved an average of 2.2% in excess of the home report value with 74.8% of properties sold for at least home report value and 23.3% of properties selling at closing dates.
Meanwhile, overall performance compared to the same period in the previous year has seen volume increase by 1.4%, average selling price increased by 3.9% and total sales value increased by 5.3% (2025 to date, ESPC).
When considering the biggest frustrations of the market in 2025, VMH Director Kevin McLuskey said, “The continuing difficulty and expense of obtaining short term and bridging finance massively effects the market, leading to almost all sellers trying to buy first – subject to sale.
“This creates chains, uncertainty and, invariably, delays which often produces frustrated, unhappy and angry clients!
“In my opinion, Land & Buildings Transaction Tax for first-time buyers is too high and Additional Dwelling Supplement, at 8%, is also too high.”
“One piece of advice I would give first-time buyers,” he adds, “is be organised, quick and – if you can – be decisive! My advice to anyone selling and buying, or just selling, is to be patient!”
For more property advice, should you be looking to move in 2026, contact us:
📞 0131 622 2626