R>The number of loans advanced to first time buyers increased again in the third quarter of this year, according to new figures released today (Monday 26 November) by the Council of Mortgage Lenders in Scotland.

There were 5,100 loans advanced to first time buyers in the third quarter, a 6% increase compared to the second quarter and up by 9% on the same period last year, the highest number of first time buyers in nearly three years.

This represented the third successive quarter of growth but below the rate of growth shown in the rest of the UK at 16%.
By value, first time buyers in Scotland borrowed