The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has found that many surveyors believe Scotland's housing market is expected to pick up in the coming months.

The positivity comes after September saw growth slow in the housing market. However, of those who took part in the survey, many attributed the fall in demand as a result of referendum uncertainty.

The monthly survey also revealed that fewer homes came on the market last month, but 33% of respondents still said they had noticed an increase in property prices.


Demand for homes dipped to its lowest level in September since 2013, while 14% of surveyors noted a fall in new instructions. This is the lowest level since September 2012.

Looking at long-term prospects, the forecast for the Scottish housing market remains positive, with 35% predicting growth over the next three months.

Sarah Speirs, Director, RICS Scotland, said: "The effects of the referendum appeared particularly significant to the housing market during September, with a considerable drop in the number of interested buyers and stock coming onto the market.

"Looking ahead, we expect to see an increase in supply and demand as the market settles, but with interest rates still at historically low levels and long term house price expectations positive, households are not under any real economic pressure to sell.

"Next year, we expect the house price outlook to be far more subdued."

(JP/MH)