Page 18 - ESPC Property Market Report - Mar-Aug 2023
P. 18

Sales volumes fell across the Borders as
          SCOTTISH BORDERS                                                                                                           demand cooled


                                                                                                                                     Demand for rural and countryside homes declined            The average property
                                                                                                                                                                                                  selling price in the
                                                                                                                                     during March-August 2023, as the volume of Borders          Scottish Borders was
                                                                                                                                     property sales decreased 4.3% in comparison to the           £219,452
                                                                                                                                     same time last year.
                                                                                                                                                                                                     down 6.1%
                                                                                                                                                                                                      annually
                                                                                                                                     Kelso was the most popular place with property
                                                                                                                                     purchasers, with the highest volume of sales recorded                            Sales volumes
                                                                                                                                     across the region – and this volume was up 5.4% year-                              decreased
                                                                                                                                     on-year. Galashiels followed closely behind, however                               4.3%,
                                                                                                                                     sales volumes here declined 1.8% compared to March-                            while new property
                                                                                                                                     August 2022. The average selling prices for these areas                           listings rose
                                                                                                                                     were £219,788 and £161,830, respectively, hinting at very                            6.3%
                                                                                                                                     different buyer profiles in the Borders market.

                                                                                                                                     Three-bedroom houses in Kelso were the most popular           Properties took
                                                                                                                                     property type to sell across the region during this           20 days
                                                                                                                                     period, however sales volumes of this property type had     to go under offer, five
                                                                                                                                     declined 10% compared to the same period last year.          days longer than
                                                                                                                                                                                                      last year
          Average selling price decreased                     71.2% of properties for sale in the Borders sold for at                Borders saw a rise in new property
          across the region                                   least their Home Report valuation, down from 88%
                                                              of properties in March-August 2022.                                    listings recorded
          The average selling price of property in the Scottish
                                                                                                                                     The volume of new properties coming to the market                                 Buyers in the
          Borders was £219,452 during March-August 2023 –
                                                              Homes took longer to sell across the                                   in the Borders increased 6.3% annually during March-                              Borders paid
          this is 6.1% lower than the same time last year.
                                                              region, but some areas saw a brisker                                   August 2023, hinting at a changing pattern of buyers                               102%
                                                                                                                                     relocating out of the area when contrasted with the
          Melrose was the region’s most expensive area to     pace                                                                                                                                                   of Home Report
                                                                                                                                     property sales figures.                                                           valuation, on
          purchase a home, with an average property selling
                                                              Homes for sale in the Borders went under offer in a                                                                                                        average
          price of £347,133. By contrast, Hawick was the most
                                                              median time of 20 days during March-August 2023,                       Kelso and Galashiels experienced the highest level of
          affordable place, as properties here sold for an
                                                              which is five days slower than the same time last year.                properties listed for sale, up a significant 34.5% in Kelso,
          average of £138,533.
                                                                                                                                     and down 4.1% in Galashiels.                                   12.8%
                                                              Some areas saw properties disappear off the market
          Borders buyers paid less over Home                  at a much faster rate, however; homes in sought-                                                                                 of properties for sale in
                                                                                                                                                                                                the Borders went to a
          Report valuation compared to 2022                   after Melrose went under offer in a median time of                                                                                    closing date

          Overall, buyers in the Borders chose to bid less over   only seven days, while two-bedroom flats in Kelso
          the Home Report valuation for properties than they   were the fastest-selling property type overall, going
          did last year; on average, properties in the region   under offer in 11 days.
          achieved 102% of their Home Report valuation, 5.8
          percentage points less than the same time last year.   Much like the rest of the wider Scottish market,
                                                              fewer homes in the Borders went to closing dates
          By contrast and aligning with the property selling   during March-August 2023: 12.8%, down from 22.9%
          price for the area, properties in Melrose attained   in 2022. By contrast, 30% of properties for sale in
          109.9% of their Home Report valuation – the highest   Melrose went to a closing date, clearly highlighting
          level paid across the Borders.                      the demand for homes in this locale.



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