Rightmove says coastal areas of the UK feature prominently in its latest ‘property sales speed’ index because many of the areas feature larger, more expensive property and holiday homes.

The portal’s index reveals that Carluke in Lanarkshire has the fastest-selling homes at 15 days followed by Giffnock at 16 days. Overall Scottish properties sell in 33 days compared to 60 days elsewhere in Britain.

Douglas Nicol, director at Nicol Estate Agents in Giffnock, says: “The local market here remains buoyant, with demand often outstripping supply.

“When properties come onto the market, we are finding that they are snapped up very quickly.

“Giffnock is one of the most popular suburbs in Glasgow, with excellent local amenities, transport links and some of the top-performing schools in Scotland.”

But Rightmove’s data shows that most of the nation’s slowest markets are near or on the coast. This includes Brixham (118 days), Skegness (115 days), Sandown (109 days) and Minehead (103), Canford Cliffs (99) and Hayling Island (99).

Slower pace

“The slower pace of sales in coastal towns is influenced by several factors, including the types of homes on offer,” Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property expert, tells The Neg.

“Larger, more expensive properties typically take longer to sell compared to smaller family homes.

“Additionally, many coastal properties are purchased as holiday homes, which narrows the pool of potential buyers.

“In contrast, smaller, more affordable homes in urban areas that are bought as primary residences tend to attract a wider audience, helping to speed up the selling process.”