Summer Slowdown? Why Scotland’s Property Market Needs a Different Strategy This Year

Staging Rooms
14 minutes ago
2 min read

Summer has long been considered the sleepy season for property sales. School holidays, slower footfall, and families heading off on break mean fewer viewings and delayed decisions. In many parts of the UK, July and August are historically quiet months for estate agents and developers.

But in Scotland, that slowdown has collided with a more complex market reality, one shaped by policy uncertainty, inflation fatigue, and cautious developers putting projects on pause.

Builders Press Pause as the Market Softens

Across Scotland, developers are “downing tools” as the market slows. Over 14,000 build-to-rent homes are currently stuck in limbo, stalled by planning delays and uncertainty around potential rent control legislation. In cities like Aberdeen, this has led to real hesitancy from investors and contractors alike, with some sites temporarily mothballed while the economic picture remains unclear.

This developer hesitation sends a clear message: even in traditionally strong areas, confidence is wobbling.

picture of building site as builders down tools in summer property slump

Aberdeen: Signs of Optimism in a Slower Landscape

Despite the uncertainty, Aberdeen’s housing market is showing early signs of resilience:

The Q2 2025 ASPC report showed a 3.8% rise in average sale price quarter-on-quarter.
Property sales were up 13% on the same period last year.
Semi-detached homes led the recovery, with a 25% increase in sales.

Local agents have noted rising optimism, especially in Stonehaven and Inverurie, where year-on-year price growth defied the broader slowdown.

But let’s not sugar-coat it: things aren’t moving as fast as they were pre-2020. Buyers remain cautious. Some sellers are hanging back. And developers, quite literally, are waiting it out.

Why Staging Works in a Hesitant Market

In a market like this, not quite hot, not quite cold, presentation is everything. If you're selling a home, whether privately or through a developer, the difference between an empty room and a styled one could be the difference between no offer and full asking.

Here’s why:

Staged homes sell faster and for more: On average, staging reduces time on market by 73% and adds 5–10% to sale price.
Buyers make decisions emotionally: Especially in quieter months, buyers need help visualising potential. Staged properties create that instant connection.
Photos are your front door: With more listings online than ever, homes that look better in photos get more clicks, more viewings, and more offers.

In other words, staging cuts through the noise, especially when footfall is lower or buyers are weighing up more options.

The Takeaway for Sellers and Developers in Scotland

Whether you're selling a second-hand flat in central Aberdeen or marketing a show home outside Inverurie, the market won’t do the heavy lifting for you this summer.

With economic uncertainty and seasonal lulls both in play, you need every advantage possible to stand out and staging delivers exactly that.

If you’re wondering whether staging is worth it in this climate, here’s the reality:

It's not just about cushions and candles, it's about creating connection. It's not a cost, it's an investment, with measurable ROI. It’s certainly not just for high-end homes, staging works across price points, especially in markets where every offer counts.