Scotland is now one of the most popular places for new home buyers in the UK, with 3.23% more people looking for new homes in the area than live there according to data from a new homes website.

Migration rates which measure the difference between the numbers of homebuyers registered in an area compared with the number of searches for property in that region reveal that Scotland currently has the highest migration rate in the UK. The figure even beats the South West and Yorkshire & Humberside which were the most popular areas for much of 2004.

Source: SmartNewHomes.com

Edinburgh

Home to many new Scottish residents is the capital city Edinburgh, where the average price of a new home has soared by 15% to almost £300,000 over the last six months. The city of Edinburgh has its half million population boosted by millions of visitors throughout the year, starting with its world-famous Hogmanay and Burns’ Night celebrations in January, through to the arts and comedy festivals and military tattoo in August.

New developments

The city is now also starting to attract increasing numbers of homebuyers with new property developments sitting alongside the traditional gothic architectural style. Barratt Homes has a number of developments in the area including the West 1 apartment scheme to the west of the city centre on Slateford Road, with two bedroom apartments ranging from £176,250 to £224,995.

Also by Barratt is Tradewinds in the Leith waterside area. Home to the Ocean Terminal shopping centre and Malmaison hotel, Leith waterside is rapidly becoming one of Edinburgh’s most dynamic areas. One, two and four bedroom apartments at Tradewinds range in price from £188,995 to £410,995. Bryant Homes also have a contemporary development in the Leith area in the form of Western Harbour, with two bedroom apartments starting at £190,000.

David Bexon, Chief Executive of newly built homes property website, SmartNewHomes.com, comments: "Edinburgh is for many people the perfect city. With its extensive shops, trendy restaurants and rising employment, its increasing popularity is not surprising. There are numerous new schemes in and around the city and these are proving popular in attracting more homebuyers to the area."