At the end of June 2014, there were six potential buyers registered for each available property and stock levels were 36% higher than at the end of the first quarter, the data from Knight Frank shows.
It also shows that the volume of prime property for sale in Scotland has increased steadily through 2014 but warns that buyers are becoming more cautious in the run up to the referendum on independence in September.
Overall country house prices were unchanged in the second quarter of the year, following three consecutive quarters of price growth but on an annual basis prime property values in Scotland are 2.8% higher.
The greater choice available to buyers ensured that the number of property viewings taking place between April and June was 3% higher year on year.
However, there are signs that buyers are becoming more reluctant to enter the market with the referendum just around the corner. The number of individuals looking to purchase a prime country home in Scotland was 25% lower at the end of the second quarter compared to the same time last year, reflecting the uncertainty caused by the referendum.
‘There is some hesitancy on the part of buyers to get involved with the market until the question over Scottish independence has been answered. This is especially true for buyers from outside of Scotland, who are waiting until after the result of the referendum is announced in September,’ said Ran Morgan, head of Knight Frank’s Scottish residential department.
‘However, an increase in the number of homes available for sale is good news for those who are looking to move as it affords them greater choice in their home search. And while activity and interest from buyers has been greatest for homes worth up to £1 million, we have noticed a rise in interest for properties priced above this, with the sale of the Auch and Invermearan Estate in Argyllshire and Perthshire for over £10 million a particular highlight,’ he added.
While prices remained static across all regions over the course of the quarter, there are regional variations in price performance for prime Scottish homes over the year to June 2014. The Scottish Borders and the Central region lead the way with growth of 5.8% and 3.2% respectively.
