The number of homes sold by a consortium in Scotland stayed broadly flat in 2017 compared to the year before, but the average sale price of a home climbed by almost 6%.

That’s according to new figures from the Perthshire Solicitors Property Centre (PSPC), which is made up of 21 solicitor and estate agent member firms.

The business sold 761 homes last year, for a total of nearly £138.2m. The average sale price was £181,581.

In 2016, it sold a slightly larger number of homes: 779 properties, for a total of £133.6m. The average sale price that year was £171,469.

The quarter from April to June was the best quarter of the year in terms of sales.

Anna Begg, manager of PSPC, said: “When it comes to the property market, stability is key.

“Yes, we have seen previous years featuring more impressive sales figures but the situation is roughly on a par with last year, which is a positive. On top of that, we have seen the welcome trend of many homes being snapped up much more quickly than usual, due to there being fewer properties in the mix.

“Instructions were a little down last year, which is disappointing but very much in line with national trends.”

She predicted that this year will echo 2017.