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ESPC NEWS

Where do ESPC ooking back at the property market The Borders
from January 2019 to July 2024, 46% of Borders properties were purchased
by current Borders residents, suggesting
buyers come from? L ESPC’s research reveals where that buyers prefer to stay within this region
buyers live when they purchase an onward rather than relocate. Indeed, 48% of Borders
property, examining how buyers relocate buyers bought a home within their existing
If you’ve ever wondered how home across the market – as well as exploring post out code (e.g. the TD postcode), while
buyers move across the market, how many home buyers come from outside 30% of buyers bought properties within the
we’ve done the research for you. of Scotland and even outside of the UK. same postcode that they already lived in, for
example, TD2.

12% of properties were bought by buyers from
The Lothians
the rest of the UK, which has dual reasoning
As Edinburgh’s closest neighbour, Midlothian in a region such as the Borders. There is a
saw a great deal of properties sold to buyers likelihood of holiday home purchases; however,
moving across the city boundary: 53% of there is also a high likelihood of many of these
Midlothian homes for sale since January 2019 buyers being from just over the other side of
were sold to buyers from Edinburgh, suggesting the border, choosing a property that allows
homeowners moving for larger, more affordable them to maintain their current lifestyle.
properties in comparison to the capital.
Just under 1% of Borders homes were bought
Just 6% of property purchases came from by buyers from the rest
Midlothian buyers, suggesting that homeowners of the world.
Edinburgh tend to stay in their homes for a longer period.
Edinburgh unsurprisingly boasts the highest interest, suggesting
retention rate of homeowners, with 60% of a high volume of East Lothian boasted a much higher retention
Edinburgh homes purchased by buyers already investors: 16% of those buying rate, with 40% of properties purchased by
living within the city. in EH1 were from other parts of the UK, with existing residents. This area also boasted a
13% in EH2 and 11.5% in EH3. Being so central high number of ‘local relocators’, with 20% of
64% of buyers already resided in a home with to Edinburgh’s famous landmarks, it makes properties bought by Edinburgh buyers.
an EH postcode at the time of purchasing, sense that investors would choose a property
while 20% of buyers bought a property within in these highly desirable locations. 6% of properties were bought by buyers from
the same post district (e.g., if they lived in the rest of the UK, suggesting investment
EH1, they then bought their next property in This trend is also apparent with global buyers; interest.
EH1). This means that while most Edinburgh EH2 holds the most appeal, with 10% of
buyers are already from Edinburgh, only one- properties purchased in this postcode since West Lothian also enjoyed a high retention rate,
fifth of property purchases were made within 2019 bought by buyers from countries outside with 43% of properties bought by an existing
the same district that buyers already resided of the UK. This was closely followed by resident. West Lothian saw 18% of homes in
in, suggesting lots of buyers moving across homes in EH1, where 7% of buyers came from the area purchased by those relocating from
the city depending on their requirements international locations, and EH3, where global Edinburgh, ostensibly to purchase a larger,
and affordability. buyers snapped up 4% of the properties sold. more affordable property.

Just 6% of Edinburgh buyers are from the rest This data also covers the period ahead of There was much lower interest from
of the UK, suggesting a mix of relocators and short-term lets legislation coming into effect, international buyers, with 1.5% of Midlothian
investors. It appears that properties in the Old which would confirm that holiday lets would buyers being internationally based, and 0.6% of
Town, city centre and New Town are of especial be particularly appealing for investors. both East and West Lothian.

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