North east housebuilder Stewart Milne Homes has said there are positive signs that show the property market in Aberdeen is beginning to recover.

The Westhill-based compnay has seen a significant increase in demand at its developments across the north east of Scotland, with confidence growing amongst potential homeowners.

Sales across the housebuilders’ seven developments in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are up 20% on the same period last year and there is also an increase in the level of enquiries.

John Low, managing director at Stewart Milne Homes, said: “It is encouraging to see confidence returning to the Aberdeen economy. We have seen both an increase in footfall to our developments as well as an upturn in levels of sales. Homeowners who had previously decided not to move due to the economic uncertainty now feel that this is the right time to move while prices remain competitive.”

This sentiment is echoed by Darroch Robertson, partner at Graham + Sibbald.

He said: “As signs of positivity within the oil and gas industry improve slightly, this has also had an impact on the general level of optimism in the area.

“Feedback across the property sector is that the residential market appears to have reached a base level and there are signs of improvement with a number of local housebuilders reporting that visitor traffic is up on developments and sales numbers have been very positive so far in 2018.”

John Cameron, director of FWB Park Brown, added: “There are positive signs of recovery within the Aberdeen economy and we can see businesses starting to recruit again. This increase in employment opportunities is also leading to people relocating to the region which, in turn, will be positive for the housing market and economy as a whole.”

Stewart Milne Homes has also seen an increase in the number of people using part exchange in order to move up the property ladder while taking the stress out of selling.

John Low added: “Many people are nervous about the thought of moving home as they are unsure of whether they will be able to sell their own property and are also concerned if they do sell that they will be able to find a home that they like. Part exchange makes moving easy and rather than being a difficult and worrying time, the new owner can simply look forward to moving into their new home.”