Steve Nuttall is Aldreds employee of the month for August! Steve has been with Aldreds approaching 40 years. Most recently he retired from his role as Great Yarmouth office Associate Director and has been working on a part time basis covering offices, doing accompanied viewings and listing houses. Steve’s contribution through August holiday period was amazing. Covering viewings, listing properties negotiating offers…..and putting up boards were all in a days work! Well done Steve

Are you selling an in-demand property-type? Are you looking for a home in a sought-after area? According to a recent Relocation Agent Network survey, the type of property and area that buyers are looking for homes has remained largely unchanged when compared to five years ago.

Popular Properties
Taken amongst Relocation Agent Network members across England, Scotland and Wales (including us), the survey not only found that two to three bedroom houses were the most in demand in 2015, but they were the most sought-after property in 2010 too.

City Centre Vs. Suburbs
The most popular area-types also remained relatively unchanged over the last five years, with town/city centres and suburban areas taking first and second place for 2010 and 2015. Interestingly however, suburban living was most in demand in 2010, but moved to second place in 2015, with properties in town/city centres taking the top spot.

Jackie Reed from Aldreds Estate Agents is celebrating after becoming an accredited Relocation Agent Specialist.

The accreditation was awarded by Relocation Agent Network and is achieved by completing a comprehensive online training programme, The Importance of Service.

A national network of independent estate agents (of which Aldreds is a member), Relocation Agent Network introduced the training programme to ensure each of their members provides the very highest customer service to those relocating around the UK.

To be successfully accredited, participants must complete three phases of learning, which begins with four training sessions on the importance of customer service. This is followed by three online seminars covering the Relocation Agent Network Referral Process and how best to help customers who are relocating around the UK. Finally, participants must convert their theoretical learning into a practical skill set by delivering assistance to three relocating customers.

By working with fellow members across England, Scotland and Wales, Relocation Agent Network members provide an exclusive relocation referral service to customers. For those relocating to East Norfolk, Aldreds guides their customers through the daunting task of moving to an unfamiliar location. This includes local area information on schools and amenities, popular neighbourhoods and (of course) finding the right property for them. The introduction of a Relocation Agent Specialist to the Aldreds team, ensures that this process is made even smoother.

Aldreds Director, Paul Lambert said, “We take staff development very seriously and Jackie Reed’s Relocation Agent Network accreditation is a great example of what can be achieved when staff are supported properly to improve their skill set. Of course, having a Relocation Agent Specialist in the team is also great for our relocating customers.”

Relocation Agent Network’s Managing Director, Richard Tucker said, “Selected by us as the best independent estate agent to represent the Network in Norfolk, Aldreds have proved themselves as the area’s Local Expert. So with the addition of an in-house Relocation Agent Specialist, they have gone one step further to provide relocating buyers and sellers with the very best customer service.”

It is no secret that spring time is considered the best time to sell a house. However, it is a little known fact that the housing market has a bounce in late summer and autumn. This is caused by people returning from holidays and looking to get moved and settles before….dare I say it…..Christmas.

At Aldreds we work tirelessly across the year to get results for our clients. Over the next 12 weeks we will be selling many properties to motivated buyers looking to move before the end of 2015. If you want to be in your new home before the winter sets in there is still time! 

Congratulations to Karen Langford in our Stalham office who is Aldreds employee of the month for July.

Karen contributed to a record month in Stalham and went the extra mile to get her clients moving.

Well done Karen!!

A recent survey has shown that buyers make a decision as to whether they want to buy a house minutes or even seconds in to their first viewing!

The study of 244 people suggested that the old cliches were in fact true - cleanliness, smell and fresh flowers were crucial in forming a good impression, while judgements were also made on how modern and bright the kitchen was, and how tidy and clean paintwork and wallpaper were. 

Clearly making a first impression is very important and this seems very much the case when selling a property. Keeping front gardens neat, reception rooms clutter free, kitchens clean and bathrooms sweet smelling all adds to the chance of impressing a viewer.

Our Stalham office is placed ideally to cover The Norfolk Broads, Stalham town itself as well as the surrounding countryside.

The position of the office means that it covers a diverse range of properties from country cottages to large houses to riverside timber holiday bungalows.

The office is staffed by Director Paul Lambert as well as full time negotiator Karen Langford who is assisted by Tracie Ablitt, Steve Nuttall and Chantelle Fenn.

Paul has lived and worked in the area all his life and brings a wealth of experience to his role.

Karen is a Happisburgh resident and living locally gives her a fantastic insight in to the local area and it helps keep her finger on the pulse.

If you are thinking of selling or buying a property in the Stalham or Norfolk Broads area get in touch with our Stalham office on 01692 581089 or stalham@aldreds.co.uk.

At Aldreds we are constantly investing in the future. Both in terms of technology and hardware.

However, more important than these things we are investing in our people.

Through apprenticeship schemes we are constantly training young people who can drive our business forward and serve our next generation of clients.

We are proud to have had three apprentices working with us at Aldreds/MAB over the past year. Chantelle, Eleanor and Doris will soon be joining the team as employees. 

The cherry on the cake was Doris winning apprentice of the year for this area in the Apprentice Awards at Great Yarmouth College.

Aldreds/MAB have now taken on two new apprentices in Tyler and Laura. The future looks bright

Aldreds and Cripps Developments are pleased to open our new development Church View for viewing 10am till 2pm Saturday 11^th July.

With 14 of the 24 bungalows reserved off plan be quick to avoid disappointment.

For more information call 01493 664600 or visit our Gorleston office. Alternatively just turn up on the day and Tracie, Gary and Penny will be delighted to see you.

We are not used to extreme weather in this country. If it snows our airports and roads grind to a halt. If it is hot we have health warning and warped railway tracks. 

The heat is a big issue to us because our houses are designed to retain heat not to get rid of it. It is cold a lot more in the UK than hot!

If you travel to the Med you will see flat roofed properties painted white. Very little in the way of insulation. If you travel to more tropical climates air conditioning is the norm.

Stuffy houses in the summer is something that we will have to get used to. Building regulations are demanding more and more insulation and heat saving measures as we strive for a more energy efficient economy.

So this summer get out and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. And enjoy your snug warm homes in the winter.

A recent national estate agency survey, conducted by Relocation Agent Network, reports an increase in activity across the UK property market, since the General Election.

Conducted amongst its members, Relocation Agent Network found that 69% of respondents have experienced an increase in the number of buyers entering the market, since the May Election. Over half of respondents indicated that the number of buyers had risen by up to 10%.

The national network of independent estate agents also asked its members whether they had experienced a similar increase in the number of people putting their property on the market. Indeed, nearly half (48%) had experienced up to a 10% rise in the number of sellers, since the General Election.

Dan Crawley from Aldreds, the member of Relocation Agent Network in East Norfolk & North East Suffolk said, “As Relocation Agent Network reports, an established UK government has meant a rise in the number of buyers and sellers entering the market. Whether you’re buying or selling, contact us today. As Relocation Agent Network’s appointed Local Expert for East Norfolk & North East Suffolk, we can guide you through the buying and selling process.”

Congratulations to Melissa Richeda who has been appointed to the position of Gorleston office manager with immediate effect.

 Melissa has been with the firm over 10 years firstly in our Lowestoft office, however, she has been acting manager in Gorleston for approximately a year.

Melissa can be contacted in our Gorleston office on 01493 664600 or Melissa.richeda@aldreds.co.uk

The summer is here on the east coast and what a time to talk about what this fabulous area has to offer.

Whether you are looking for the serenity of the Norfolk Broads or the vibrancy of our coastal resorts there is something for everyone in North East Suffolk and East Norfolk.

Our Stalham office covers the coastal and broadland areas to north of Potter Heigham. Here we have The Broads National Park as well as beautiful coastline and picturesque villages such as Ingham and Lessingham.

Head office at Hall Quay Great Yarmouth cover the town and villages to the north of Yarmouth. Great Yarmouth has all that a modern holiday resort should offer with two piers, a fantastic seafront and great eateries. There are both holiday orientated villages to the north such as Scratby and Hemsby and rural feeling villages like Winterton and Runham.

Gorleston offices covers Gorleston on sea and surrounding villages as far as the Suffolk border. Gorleston seafront is fantastic and a walk along it is second to none. Gorleston has a wealth of independent shops and restaurants and has the feel of North Norfolk to it. It is surrounded by both suburban and rural villages with Fritton woods and the Roman Fort at Burgh Castle a must visit.

Lowestoft like Great Yarmouth is a vibrant seaside town and is served by our office in the town centre. Lowestoft was a strong fishing port and has an interesting harbour as well as an award winning beach. You are also in touching distance of the Suffolk Heritage Coast and Beccles. Lowestoft is next to the village of Oulton Broad with its large inland water and the tranquil Nicholas Everitt Park.

Knight Frank, the London Estate Agent has reported no post election ‘bounce’ in sales and lettings. Usually after an election there is a reaction in the housing market depending on the result and this can be lead by the volatile London scene.

However, locally the housing market has been surprisingly good through the first half of 2015. I say ‘surprisingly’ as many of us feared that a depressed oil price, although good for consumers, may negatively affect the housing market in Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and surrounding areas due the fact that the energy industry is a major employer. The good news is although we have seen some impact from the low oil price it has had no major affect. Indeed the market has been quite strong with good sales levels and many new buyers looking.

As we move in to the summer months we look forward to a healthy housing market. The help to buy scheme and the slowly improving economy should help first time buyers and this in turn is great for a healthy housing market.

This general election has already had a massive impact on the property market in Great Yarmouth!!!

The Great Yarmouth Advertiser and property supplement are out today instead of tomorrow J.

With the general election just over a week away an interesting statistic has emerged. 15% of people polled say that housing is one of the most important issues at this election. This has jumped up from 5% in 2010!

 In nine days we should know who will govern for the next five years. Updates to follow……

The Spring weather has arrived and NOW is the time to get your house on the market. That’s according to a recent Relocation Agent Network survey taken amongst its estate agency members across England, Scotland and Wales.

Relocation Agent Network found that the Spring months are a good time for potential sellers to put their house on the market. In fact a staggering 99% of the survey’s estate agents said so, with over half citing a ‘high level of buyer activity’ as the main reason why. An additional 36% indicated that – in addition to a high level of buyer activity – sellers should enter the market due to an increase in consumer confidence and more availability in the mortgage market, which is attracting more potential buyers.

It helps that the warmer weather and lighter evenings also make house hunting far more appealing, so why not put your house on the market now to make sure you don’t miss out on these buyers.

Thinking of selling in 2015?
Aldreds is a selected member of Relocation Agent Network, who has chosen us as East Norfolk & North Suffolk’s Local Expert, based on our customer service and a variety of other criteria. Not only does this prove our credentials as one of the area’s leading estate agents, but through our Network membership, we are able to offer sellers a completely unique channel of buyer that no other estate agent in East Norfolk & North Suffolk can provide. Visit www.relocation-agent-network.co.uk/how-we-can-help-you.aspx to find out more

Many motivated buyers watch property portals and local advertising. There is no doubt this is an effective way to search for property.

However, buyers should still register with local agents and go on their ‘mailing list’. I would suggest this is the best way to look for properties and the quickest way to get to hear about new instructions. At Aldreds our ‘mailing list’ is done in the vast majority of cases by email or phone calls! So not by traditional postal mailing (although this is still available if requested). The very first thing that happens when we take a new instruction is we contact all buyers we have registered with us who may be interested. When you consider that most portal feeds go overnight and you have to wait till Thursday or Friday for the local property supplement you can see the benefits of having us working to match you to your desired house.

On a daily basis we make viewings on houses before they appear on property portals via our proactive approach to matching buyers to properties. On a weekly basis we agree sales by this method.

If you are looking for a property get in touch with us! Don’t really on the advertising to come to you. We will come to you with the properties!

Congratulations to Associate Director Rian Martin who has completed the Relocation Agent Network (RAN) ‘Customer Service Accreditation’ course. Rian joins Great Yarmouth office manager Courteney Remon in passing this course. We are proud of to be members of RAN, a network of estate agents handpicked as market leading independent estate agents in any given area. The purpose of the network is to help with the smooth relocation of both corporate clients and private individuals both nationally and internationally. Being members of RAN is a huge benefit to our house selling clients as we can expose their properties to buyers relocating to this area from away.

Also a big well done to Eleanor Meadows who is March’s employee of the month. Nominated by Courteney for excellent work referring clients to our Financial Services arm. Eleanor is the first member of staff to win employee of the month twice!

Don’t forget our sales offices are open 10am till 1pm Good Friday and normal hours on Easter Saturday. We would be delighted to hear from you. Outside these hours visit our facebook page or tweet us @Aldredsproperty.

We are open 10am till 1pm Good Friday. As normal on Easter Saturday. We are shut Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Have a great Easter!

The big news for first time buyers from the budget today is the new ‘Help to Buy’ ISA. Further details are yet to follow but it appears that the government will be pledging £50 for every £250 that is saved. More details to follow………The chancellor also announced plans to sell £13 billion of ‘bad’ mortgage assets acquired via Northern Rock Asset Management (NRAM) and The Bradford and Bingley as well as the sale of a further £9 billion in Lloyds Banking Group shares.

There have been no substantial leaks regarding housing. The stamp duty reforms announced in the Autumn were the big news for housing and house purchasers and this is already in force. However, keep your eyes on our facebook page and website news section where I will update you with any housing related news from todays budget!

Happy budget day!! (??)

The Daffodils are up and world looks brighter (and feels warmer).

It is the time for all house sellers to get their gardens looking tip top. Get the lawns cut and the beds dug. Let the buyers picture the bbq or the kids playing football on the lawn.

A well kept garden is a great selling feature and will help you sell as we all look forward to a Great British summer.

Congratulations to Karen Langford who is Aldreds employee of the month for February!

Karen has been working tirelessly in our Stalham office in 2015 and has helped produce some record results and more importantly, happy customers.

Well done Karen!

As the election nears, the government has set out its guidelines which house builders must follow if they are to create homes aimed at first time buyers and eligible for a total of £200m in loans from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

The Rent to Buy Fund claims to give those who do not currently own “a springboard on to the property ladder without having to pay an expensive cash deposit when they move in.” 

Under the scheme, the government offers low cost loans to firms building homes which must be let at a below-market rent for a minimum of seven years to households which have never owned a home before. The tenants can then use this fixed period to save to either buy the home they are renting, or to purchase on the open market. 

The £200m is for the period 215-17 - there is an additional £200m available for builders committing to this scheme within London. Under the UK-wide scheme, loans to builders start with an interest rate of only 1.0 per cent for the first eight years, rising thereafter to eventually reach 3.0 per cent per annum from the 16th year of the loan.  

The government - perhaps smarting from the latest house building figures which show a fall in the most recent quarter - makes it clear from the prospectus that it wants quick results from the Rent To Buy programme.

“The Homes and Communities Agency [administering the scheme] wants to encourage bidders to bring forward schemes which can be built out quickly. We want to minimise the risks presented by a heavily back loaded programme and we will aim to do so by advantaging bids in our assessment that can demonstrate both starts and completion of schemes in the early part of the programme” says the prospectus. 

According to a recent estate agency survey, revised changes to the UK Stamp Duty Land Tax, as outlined by the Government in December, has already had a positive impact on the housing market.

In December 2014, the Government announced it had cut Stamp Duty Land Tax for the majority of homebuyers, with the aim of making payments fairer. The Government estimates the tax reductions will help 98% of those who are liable to pay for the duty.

In a national survey conducted amongst its members, Relocation Agent Network found that 66% of respondents said that the tax cuts have had a positive impact on the market. When asked to explain the ‘positive impact’, the majority of survey respondents (68%) indicated that the number of buyers entering the market had increased by up to 10%. Interestingly, aside from the Stamp Duty changes, respondents said that ‘consumer confidence’ was another positive trend impacting the market (63%).

The national network of independent estate agents also asked its members whether the revised Stamp Duty changes has led to price increases for properties that were traditionally around the £250,000 threshold. Indeed, 75% said that they had. When asked to specify on the price increase, a resounding 91% reported up to a 10% rise.

Dan Crawley from Aldreds, the member of Relocation Agent Network in East Norfolk & North Suffolk said, “As Relocation Agent Network reports a rise in the number of buyers entering the UK housing market, this survey brings good news for sellers. If you have a property to sell, contact us today. We’re Relocation Agent Network’s appointed Local Expert for East Norfolk & North Suffolk which means we have access to out of town buyers moving into the area.”

According to the Bank of England governor interest rates could fall further. Mark Carney has hinted at another rate cut due to low oil prices and falling inflation. Interest rates have been at the record low of 0.5% since 2009.

There can be no doubt that buy to let has been a growth industry over the last 20 years fuelled by an abundance of suitable landlord mortgage products. However, what factors have fuelled the boom in tenants needing private sector rented accommodation.

Clearly one driving factor is the reduction of council house stock. Council tenants were able to buy their houses before Mrs Thatcher introduced the right to buy scheme but at market value. However, once the opportunity to buy with discounts was introduced in 1980 a surge of council tenants took the opportunity to buy. This vastly reduced the stock of council houses which had been built mainly in the post war era. With less ‘social’ housing today than 30 years ago the private sector has filled the void to differing degrees depending on the area you look at.

Also more people now live on their own due to a higher divorce rate and people settling down later in life due to higher numbers going to university. People in this situation either can’t or don’t want to buy a house so look to rent instead.

Thirdly, clearly it is more expensive relatively to buy a house than it was a few decades ago. Couple that with far stricter mortgage criteria after the financial crash you can see why ‘generation rent’ appeared.

Buy to let continues to be a way people plan for their retirement as some pension and endowment returns have been below expectations.

At Aldreds we are delighted to offer advice to both first time and experienced landlords alike. We can help you find a suitable property to buy as well as offer you ‘let only’ or ‘fully managed’ property management solutions via our rental department. We can even help you finf the correct  finance for the purchase via our partners at Mortgage Advice Bureau.

Congratulations to Eleanor Meadows in our Great Yarmouth office who is January’s employee of the month.

Eleanor was nominated by her line manager, Courteney, for excellent customer service through January especially with regards to keeping buyers registered with us up to date. Eleanor’s hard work secured a number of new instructions for Aldreds but more importantly matched buyers with their dream homes.

Well done Eleanor.

The government is set to give the Bank of England’s fiscal policy committee powers to set limits on debt to income ratios and loan to value ratios for mortgages.

This move is designed to limit ‘boom and bust’ and help cool and control overheating housing markets.

Loan to value limits would be new in this country, however, are used extensively abroad.

Check out Aldreds most recent reviews at www.allagents.co.uk

This is a scenario that happens often this time of year when many more properties are coming to market.

 If there are multiple properties for sale on your road or in your area there is no reason that yours won’t sell. You just have to make sure that your house is the best proposition for a buyer.

Firstly look at the price of your neighbours and the price of your own. Does your house sit well against the competition? We all like to think our house is the best, however, try to be objective. Next is there something you can do to make your house stand out? Can you do something special to the front garden? Can you avoid leaving cars up on the kerb outside? Are your windows clean? Lastly make sure that inside your house is A1. Clear clutter and keep things clean to the eye.

 Also if your neighbours sell before you don’t worry. It will reflect well on your area to perspective buyers that a house like yours has just sold. It will make them feel it is a good and popular area to buy in

Average property purchase deposits reached a 14 month high in December, with much of the boost down to the government’s radical overhaul of stamp duty.

Data from the Mortgage Advice Bureau, our mortgage advisors, shows that the typical mortgage applicant's deposit in last month was worth a hefty 30.7 per cent of the purchase price. This is the highest level of deposit recorded since October 2013 when the average was 30.9 per cent - and in that month, the Help To Buy mortgage guarantee had been launched. 

Since then, stricter loan criteria under the Mortgage Market Review rules have reversed the trend, but the government’s stamp duty changes announced early last month changed all that. 

December's average purchase price of £231,487 would only qualify for a £185.13 stamp duty reduction under the new system. But anyone buying a house worth £250,001 paid £4,999.98 less since December 4 compared with the old ‘slab’ system.

Average deposits in December were three per cent higher than in November at £71,078. 

Well done to Courteney Remon who is currently the top performer in the East Region and third in the whole country according to the Relocation Agent Network.

Relocation Agent Network (RAN) is a network of handpicked leading independent estate agents. The purpose of the network is to help clients relocate out of and in to area we cover as smoothly as possible.

Being part of RAN helps Aldreds to market our clients properties as widely as possible by exposing them to buyers from over 600 other estate agency branches in the UK.

New for 2015. Aldreds now offer no upfront cost Energy Performance Certificates to our residential sales customers.

EPC’s have been around since 2007 firstly as part of the now defunct Home Information Packs. However, when HIPS were scrapped EPC’s remained and have been with us since. Until now EPC’s were paid for upfront, however, we now offer the option to go on the market without paying for the EPC there and then.

STOP PRESS – For a limited time we are also offering free Zoopla premium display upgrades. Call now for more info!

Well done to Katharine Wood in our Gorleston office who is December’s employee of the month.

‘Kat’ passed her final National Association of Estate Agents exam in December making her a qualified estate agent and allowing her to use MNAEA after her name.

 Well done from all of your colleagues at Aldreds!

With the social media age well and truly here it becomes more and more important for companies to be engage with their customers through this medium. It is also important to be open and transparent with regards to social media.

You can like Aldreds on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @aldredsproperty. We advertise all new instructions through our social media pages as well as updating our clients with industry news and changes. We also write informative blogs (such as this one!!)

However, as well as this we are open and transparent in other ways. We actively encourage our customers to review us either through our social media pages or via the estate agents review site allagents.co.uk. Allagents is the ‘tripadvisor’ of the property industry with buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords able to write unbiased and unedited reviews. We are delighted with our reviews that consistently put is in the top 2% of estate agents in the UK.

Also our customers from ‘south of the border’ can review us on www.thebestof.co.uk/local/lowestoft. Another excellent website reviewing companies in the Greater Lowestoft area.

As we move slowly but surely towards 2015 we have to ask how long will The base rate of interest remain at 0.5%.

The Bank of England cut the rate to this historic low in May 2009 in response to the credit crunch, a falling housing market and economic difficulties. Most commentators predict no rate rise before May’s election, however, may are talking about possible rate rises in late 2015. However, we have been here before! We have had rate rise predictions before.

I am not going to predict when rates may rise, however, I hope that if and when they do it is in a controlled fashion.

We should not fear rising interest rates. Rates are still well below their long term average. However all households should consider the effect that any interest rate rise may have on their families budget in 2015.

We are closing 12 noon 23rd December. We are back open 29th, 30th and 31st December (shutting 4.30pm 31st). Closed New Years Day. Reopen as usual 9am 2nd January 2015!! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

As estate agents we are often asked when is the best time to put a house for sale. The answer I always give is ‘when you want to sell it!’.

However, with regards to times of year I would always suggest getting a house up for sale as early in a year as possible. By putting a house for sale in January or February you are on the market in time for the traditional early spring ‘pick up’ in activity. Also many buyers start looking to move straight after Christmas. You can hear the conversations over the turkey…’shall we move next year?’.

The housing market is a lot more constant through the year than it used to be. Sure we get quiet in late November and December, however, we have less of an August slowdown. We still have a slight drop off in activity leading up to bank holiday weekends but this is only over a few days.

Remember, you are unlikely to sell a house that isn’t for sale. I would always avoid waiting for a time of year that you think suits your house best. If you have a beautiful garden this look relatively better to other peoples in January as well as in June!

If you are looking to move in 2015 contact your local Aldreds office for professional expert advice.

Great Yarmouth office manager Courteney Remon has topped the table of referrers for the third quarter. Relocation Agent Network (RAN) is a network of the top independent estate agents of which Aldreds are proud members. The main aim of RAN is to help our clients move in to our area and to pastures new as smoothly and as efficiently as possible. We do this by referring them to estate agents who can help them buy a house in the area they are moving to as well as recommending our local network member to house buyers selling their properties elsewhere, but looking to move to the East Norfolk and North Suffolk areas.

RAN helps us to market our clients property effectively all over the country via over 600 other estate agents branches. This gives Aldreds a unique position of being a top local agent with a national branch network.

If you are looking to move away from East Norfolk or North Suffolk contact Aldreds today to see how we can help you. Equally if you are looking to move to our area contact us now so that we can help make your relocation as smooth as possible.

Yes and no create uncertainty w’s Scottish referendum would create over a year on uncertainty in the housing market - but a No vote would still leave people unsure how the Scottish economy may change as a result of additional devolution.

That is the view of LSL Property Services, which says over half of Scotland’s property prices fell in July leaving the country still on average some 0.6 per cent below the 2008 peak, with transactions still 30 per cent lower than six years ago.

The new figures are not all bad news. There were 9,285 transactions in July, climbing five per cent from June to reach the highest monthly total since July 2008. And in two particular areas prices reached new high - major employment centres Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh.

But on the other side of the coin, uncertainty is leaving its trace according to Gordon Fowlis.

“Depending on the outcome of the referendum, there is a chance of a mass take-off and sale of investments, which would disrupt house prices in the short-term.  Ambiguity surrounding Scotland’s future isn’t helping. We are in the throes of the longest period of sustained monthly house price growth since February 2007, but only time will tell whether this recovery will be derailed” says Fowlis.

“A Yes vote would usher in a further sixteen months of uncertainty. A Scotland outside the UK would open the floodgates to the real questions of currency, exchange rates, mortgage risk, and property taxation. Many mortgage holders could see their LTV shoot up as the implications of borrowing from a bank in a foreign country are unmasked. A No vote doesn’t guarantee clarity either – but the mist of ambiguity would clear sooner” he says.

Interest rates could rise from their historic low of 0.5% sooner than expected, Bank of England governor Mark Carney has warned.

He said "gradual and limited" increases would be needed as the economic recovery progresses, and that while it would be wrong to start now, this was "coming nearer".

Mr Carney also signalled that the Bank could take "graduate and proportionate actions" within weeks as a separate measure to cool the threat of an overheating housing market - described as the greatest danger to the economy