House prices in Soctland have risen for the second month running, according to a report just out.

The average cost of a Scottish house reached £146,300 in April, which was almost £500 more than the figure for March and returned prices to 2007 levels.

The figures were part of the latest LSL/Acad Scotland house price index.

Data in the report also showed that the number of transactions carried out in the first quarter of 2012 was up 12% on the same period in 2011.

But property market activity was down on early 2007 levels, which Richard Sexton, director of e.surv chartered surveyors, part of LSL, blamed on a "lack" of mortgages.


Mr Sexton said that there was cause for optimism in the market, but that some parts of Scotland fared better than others.

Despite prices increasing nationally, half of Scotland's local authorities have seen house values fall over the last year.

Prices fell in Glasgow and Ayrshire while they rose in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Mr Sexton said: "'Cautious optimism' describes the prospects for the market over the coming months. Demand for moving home is still strong, but a lack of mortgages has paralysed the market in the past and dragged down prices. All eyes will be on the economy and the eurozone. Some areas have struggled more than others with the effects of the downturn and public sector austerity, with local economies still reeling from the effects of high unemployment and weak private sector investment. This has pushed house prices well below the national average in some localities."

(NE)