THE number of homes coming on to the property market in Scotland has increased as recovery in the sector continues, according to chartered surveyors.

A total of 44% more experts reported an increase in new instructions in December, the highest proportion in the UK, and demand also grew, with 55% more reporting a rise in new buyer inquiries in Scotland.

But despite the increase in properties going up for sale, members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said it was still not enough to meet demand, leading to prices going up.

RICS Scotland director Sarah Speirs said: "Although the number of houses on the market falls short of demand, the increase reported is certainly a step in the right direction.

"Growing availability of affordable mortgages has released some pent-up demand from a market that, in recent years, has seen many viable buyers unable to enter the market.

"On the face of it, this seems like good news but unless we see a marked increase in the number of homes coming up for sale we could well be looking at price rises becoming unsustainable in some areas."

She said this topic would be addressed by the Scottish Housing Commission Report, which is due to be published in April 2014.

It comes after a report by LSL/Acadata Scotland suggested the property market north of the Border was making "solid progress on all fronts", with a pick-up in house sales and continuing improvements in mortgage conditions.