Further signs of an economic recovery for Moray have been revealed in new figures showing that the number of homes exchanging hands has increased by almost one third.
Moray homes sold in the second quarter of this year are showing a 29.9% increase on the same period in 2013.
However, one property expert in the region says that the traditional movement of retired people from the south is being affected by uncertainty over the Scottish independence referendum in September.
Market prices for homes in the region have not increased significantly, however, with average prices showing just a 0.2% increase against a Scottish year on year average of 5.9%.
“We have been really busy for the last 18 months,” Lisa Miele from R&R Urquhart Estate Agents in Forres said, adding: “One negative thing we are noticing is that the referendum is having an effect.
“Forres is historically a place where people come to retire, or come here from down south, and we’ve not seen that market so far this year. It’s the referendum putting people off maybe.
“After we get past September we kind of expect a flurry of activity again – certainly it’s been a really good year, prices have not gone up like elsewhere but there are definitely lots of people looking and things that are sensibly priced and well presented are selling quickly.”