As we move through February, the housing market across Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk is presenting buyers and movers with a very specific challenge - and opportunity.
While demand for property remains strong, the number of homes coming to market has not kept pace. This imbalance between supply and demand is shaping buyer behaviour, influencing pricing, and making mortgage preparation more important than ever.
At Calluna Financial, we’re seeing first-hand how this market rewards buyers who are well prepared, well advised, and able to act decisively when the right property appears.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, home mover, or someone planning a purchase later this year, understanding how the current market interacts with mortgage lending can make a significant difference to your outcome.
Across central Scotland, housing supply remains constrained. Fewer properties are coming to market, yet buyer demand - particularly in desirable, well-connected areas - continues to be strong.
This shortage has created a bottleneck:
From a mortgage perspective, this has very real implications. In a competitive environment, sellers tend to favour buyers who:
In short, being “almost ready” is no longer enough.
Despite economic headlines over the past year, buyer demand has remained resilient. What has changed is how buyers approach the market.
We’re seeing buyers who are:
This is particularly true for modern, well-maintained, move-in-ready homes, which continue to attract the strongest demand.
From a lending perspective, this means buyers often need:
Having this clarity before viewing properties is now essential.
One of the defining features of the current market is that many properties are achieving prices above their asking level.
While this is positive news for sellers, it introduces complexity for buyers and their mortgages.
Key considerations include:
This is where early mortgage advice becomes critical.
At Calluna Financial, we help buyers:
The strongest buyers are those who know their limits before the pressure is on.
Another major factor shaping buyer behaviour is the £250,000 LBTT threshold.
Properties below this level tend to:
Because LBTT costs are lower, buyers often feel more comfortable increasing their offer - sometimes beyond their original expectations.
Mortgage-wise, this requires:
Above £250,000, buyer behaviour becomes more measured. Higher LBTT costs mean:
These buyers still move forward - but they want certainty.
Good mortgage advice helps ensure:
In a slower market, buyers can afford to take their time. In today’s market, prepared buyers win.
Mortgage readiness now means:
Sellers and estate agents increasingly look for reassurance that a buyer’s finances are solid. A well-advised buyer with a strong mortgage position is often seen as lower risk - even if their offer isn’t the very highest.
This can make the difference between securing a property or missing out.
While interest rates remain a topic of conversation, the reality is that stability has returned to the mortgage market.
Lenders are:
For buyers, this creates an environment where:
At Calluna Financial, our role is to cut through the noise and help clients choose mortgages that are appropriate, sustainable and future-proof, not just headline-grabbing.
First-time buyers continue to play a major role in the current market, particularly under £250,000.
However, competition can be intimidating without guidance.
We regularly help first-time buyers:
In a supply-constrained market, first-time buyers who are properly advised are far more confident - and far more successful.
For existing homeowners looking to move, the current market offers both opportunity and complexity.
Strong selling conditions can support a higher sale price - but buyers must also plan carefully on the purchase side.
Mortgage planning here often includes:
Good advice ensures that gains on the sale aren’t lost through poor mortgage decisions on the purchase.
February is often underestimated, but from a mortgage perspective, it’s a critical time.
Those who wait until spring to “start thinking” often find themselves reacting rather than planning.
Mortgage preparation now allows buyers to move quickly and confidently when the right property appears.
At Calluna Financial, we believe mortgage advice should be:
We don’t just tell clients how much they can borrow - we help them understand how much they should borrow, based on their life, goals and comfort.
In today’s market, that approach matters more than ever.
The February property market is defined by scarcity, competition and momentum.
For buyers, this doesn’t mean sitting on the sidelines - it means getting prepared.
With the right mortgage advice, buyers can:
If you’re considering buying or moving this year, now is the time to get your mortgage position clear. The market is moving - and those who are ready will be best placed to benefit.