HOUSE sales are speeding up in West Fife with around a third of properties changing hands after less than two weeks on the market.

That’s according to Dunfermline estate agents Maloco + associates with the latest figures proving to be a pleasant surprise.

The firm have sold more homes in the first two months of 2014 than any other agent in Dunfermline and say it’s no longer a buyer’s market.

Average sale times in Dunfermline and surrounding areas are down by 29 per cent on the same period last year with all homes sold so far in 2014 taking an average of nine weeks. But almost half – 48 per cent – of those sales were achieved in less than four weeks and 30 per cent were on the market for less than a fortnight.

Property director Aileen McFarlan said, “We are moving steadily towards a market place where supply and demand are in balance and, in some sectors of the market, where demand actually outstrips supply. “The days of it being a buyers’ market, especially in Dunfermline itself and Duloch in particular, are, I believe, at an end. “After six long hard years, sellers are once more enjoying multiple viewings, closing dates and sales at above asking price and often home report value.” Negotiators Robyn Morrocco and Elaine Chalmers report viewing activity to have been noticeably better than last year on certain properties.

Robyn said, “We recently listed a property at Thimblehall Drive and had 15 viewers booked within 48 hours and a closing date set within 24 hours. “We haven’t seen this sort of activity since 2008.” With Spring in the air and the clocks due to change – always a trigger for better times in the property market according to the firm – Maloco + associates believe the volume of sales and prices achieved will continue to improve.