The challenges of raising a deposit were identified as the second biggest constraint, followed by the general availability of mortgages.
The cost of renting is expected to continue to rise
56% predict that the cost of renting in the private sector will increase over the next 12 months, compared with just 2% who think that rents will fall. This resulted in a net balance of +54 in March.
Nitesh Patel, housing economist at Bank of Scotland, commented:
"It is encouraging that the level of consumer confidence in the Scottish housing market continues to improve, albeit from a very low base. This is consistent with the broad stability that we have been seeing in house prices in recent months. Overall, we continue to expect little overall movement in prices this year provided that the Scotland and UK economies do not suffer a pronounced weakening."
Headline Housing market outlook net balance by region:
- London: House Price Outlook: 29%
- East: 26%
- South West: 24%
- South East: 23%
- North West: 19%
- East Midlands: 17%
- Wales: 12%
- West Midlands: 11%
- Yorkshire and Humber: 11%
- Scotland: 10%
- North East: 6%
- GB: 19%
