Mixed fortunes on West Lothian and Falkirk house prices

But the drop in West Lothian does not reverse the longer-term trend, which has seen property prices in the area achieve 14.1 per cent annual growth.

The average West Lothian house price in February was £197,463, Land Registry figures show – a 1.8 per cent decrease on January. Over the month, the picture was similar to that across Scotland, where prices decreased 1.7 per cent, but West Lothian under-performed compared to the 0.5 per cent rise for the UK as a whole.

Over the last year, the average sale price of property in West Lothian rose by £24,000 – putting the area seventh among Scotland’s 32 local authorities with price data for annual growth.

The boost in the Falkirk council area contributes to the longer-term trend, which has seen property prices in the area achieve 13.8 per cent annual growth.

The average Falkirk house price in February was £155,723, Land Registry figures show – a 2.5 per cent increase on January – better than the average across Scotland and the UK.

Over the last year, the average sale price of property in Falkirk rose by £19,000 – putting the area eighth in Scotland for annual growth.

Owners of flats fared worst in West Lothian in February – they dropped 2.4 per cent in price, to £109,500 on average. But over the last year, prices rose by 8.6 per cent.

Owners of detached houses saw the biggest improvement in property prices in Falkirk in February – up 3.2 per cent, to £300,690 on average. Over the last year, prices rose by 17.7 per cent.

First-time buyers in West Lothian spent an average of £158,000 on their property – £18,000 more than a year ago, and £47,000 more than in February 2017. By comparison, former owner-occupiers paid £235,000 on average in February – 48.7 per cent more than first-time buyers.

First-time buyers in Falkirk spent an average of £128,000 on their property – £15,000 more than a year ago, and £36,000 more than in February 2017. By comparison, former owner-occupiers paid £187,000 on average in February – 46 per cent more than first-time buyers.