HFS insists prices are still rising

RESIDENTIAL

WITH prices still rising, Scotland’s housing sector continues to buck the UK trend – due to continuing strong market fundamentals, according to Homes for Scotland.

Jonathan Fair, chief executive, said: “Scotland hasn’t escaped the uncertainty raised by economic pressures in other parts of the globe, but the latest Halifax report demonstrates the fundamental strength of the Scottish housing market with an overall rise in house prices, albeit modest, expected in 2008 – a stark contrast to other parts of the UK and the headlines in the national press”.

And with the Scottish Government’s commitment to build 35,000 new homes by 2015, the position in Scotland is much more positive than elsewhere, he contended. He went on to call on the mortgage to make access to housing easier for lower paid people.

A PREFERRED bidder for some 300 former MOD homes (some of which are pictured) at RAF Kinloss will be selected this month from a shortlist of four.

Douglas Mowat of agents Graham + Sibbald, who is advising Defence Estates, said: “Each of the preferred bidders has interesting proposals which we feel will benefit the village and local community. In mid June we meet with representatives from Moray

“This is what commentators need to be focusing on right now. We need to ensure first time buyers and those without access to large deposits are

Council, Findhorn & Kinloss Community Council and the RAF to obtain their views on the community proposals of the various bids.”

Following the meeting it is hoped that a single preferred bidder will be identified.

“We expect the eventual purchaser to fully consult with the local community at all stages of the redevelopment process,” Mr Mowat concluded.

not excluded from getting on, and moving up, the property ladder through lack of funding. We are therefore calling on lenders to urgently address this issue.”