2026 has started well for the Edinburgh and Lothians property market, with steady sales, rising prices, and a notable increase in new listings at Neilsons all pointing to growing momentum. Buyer demand remains healthy and properties continue to sell well, creating a well-balanced and competitive market. In this update, we review Neilsons’ sales performance in Q1, and also consider the wider economic backdrop and what to expect as we the year progresses.
A Confident Market with Continued Strong Results
The first three months of 2026 have reinforced that we operate in a confident local market.
At Neilsons, sales volumes are in line with last year, while our total sales value has already reached £82.4 million (a +1.5% increase year on year and the highest total sales value in East Central Scotland).
At the same time, the average selling price at Neilsons has increased by +2.2% to £292,000, highlighting continued price strength across the region.
Properties are still selling quickly too, with most properties typically going Under Offer within three to four weeks.
As we move further into the spring and summer months, we would expect this to tighten even further towards the lower 21 day averages we are used to seeing during this particularly busy time of year.
Momentum Building with New Listings
One of the most notable trends so far this year at Neilsons is the increase in new listings.
We have seen a +12% rise in new properties coming to market so far this year, alongside a +5% increase in “Offers Over” listings, which is a clear sign of growing seller confidence.
March in particular saw a significant +24% increase in listings compared to last year, and we already have a strong pipeline of properties launching in April which is great news for buyers, and of course, first time buyers looking to get on the property ladder for the first time.
This increase in supply, combined with steady buyer demand, is creating a balanced market, with competitive closing dates remaining a feature of the market for well presented, accurately priced and professionally marketed properties. So far this year, 25% of properties marketed with Neilsons have gone to a closing date, compared to the wider ESPC market average of 17%.
Strong Demand and Confident Sellers
Buyer demand remains healthy and the increase in “Offers Over” listings reflects this, with sellers continuing to take advantage of market conditions.
Improving Supply, But Still Balanced
As we head further into spring, supply levels are now increasing again.
This is giving buyers more choice, but importantly, not at the expense of sales prices or selling times. Average selling prices are rising steadily, and the average time until Under Offer is reducing as the year progresses.
The market remains well balanced, which is exactly what we want to see!
Local Resilience Continues
As we’ve said consistently, Edinburgh and the Lothians continues to outperform other cities and wider UK trends.
Strong economic fundamentals and the continued desirability of the city and surrounding areas are all key contributors to the robust demand.
This is a market built on solid foundations, and that is continuing to show.
Wider Economic Backdrop
The wider economic backdrop is constantly evolving.
Ongoing geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty, particularly around energy markets, may contribute to inflationary pressure and could mean interest rates remain at 3.75% for longer than previously expected.
The Bank of England Governor has just stated that future interest rate hikes are far from certain, which should support buyer confidence as we move through spring and into summer.
You will no doubt see more attention-grabbing headlines and click-bait commentary on the property market as the weeks and months progress, which never reflects the reality of what we see locally.
At Neilsons, we sell over one in ten properties locally and so we focus on real data, real activity, and real outcomes – not speculation. This is why this week we have announced our new partnership with The Edinburgh Reporter.
Neilsons is currently ranked Number 1 on ESPC and Rightmove for sales and for listings.
Our level of activity gives us a clear, real time view of exactly what is happening locally and as ever, we will continue to report it as we see it.
Experience, Adaptability, and Results
When selling what is usually your biggest asset, it is important to instruct an agent who is experienced in all market conditions and nuances – we say this every year!
At Neilsons, we’ve navigated almost every conceivable market scenario over nearly 50 years in business, and our clients benefit from that depth of experience every day.
A property that is accurately valued, professionally marketed, and supported by our award-winning team is always best placed to maximise market potential – whatever the external conditions may be.
And for buyers, securing the home you want in a competitive marketplace takes expertise and strategy. That’s where Neilsons’ combination of local knowledge, legal insight, and unique innovative digital tools gives clients the critical edge in today’s market.
The Outlook for the Rest of the Year
Our message is simple:
2026 has started well, and momentum is building.
With rising listings, steady sales, and continued buyer demand, the outlook for the Edinburgh and Lothians property market remains very positive as we head into the busiest time of year.
And with Neilsons leading the market in both activity and key metrics, our clients remain in the strongest possible position.
Book a free consultation with Neilsons here!
