First-time buyers boost

The number of first-time buyers in Scotland rose by a fifth during the first half of the year, as houses became more affordable, a survey has revealed.

About 9000 reached the property ladder for the first time, up 21 per cent from the same period in 2011, according to the Bank of Scotland’s first-time buyer review.

Housing economist Nitesh Patel said the increase partly reflected an improvement in affordability for first-time buyers since 2007, following a fall in house prices, but warned continuing uncertainty remained a significant hurdle.