Property Sales Up in Inverness

Increased activity in the Highlands property market and results in more competition between buyers for property in the most sought-after areas.

Galbraith Inverness reports first quarter growth of 15% for property sales in the Highlands, compared with the preceding quarter.

In addition, the number of people registering on the firm’s books as potential purchasers has increased by 40%, to 589. The number of property viewings arranged by Galbraith in the Highlands has increased from 227 in the previous quarter to 232 this quarter with the number of market appraisals also increased by 32% compared with the preceding quarter.

Phiddy Robertson, who handles residential sales from the firm’s Inverness office said:

Despite the extreme weather in early spring, our first quarter has shown an increase in sales and buyer activity. Demand for properties within commuting distance of Inverness remains strong — rural properties within an hour’s drive of Inverness are our fastest sellers and houses with access to a loch or river frontage attract significant interest.

There are signs of increased prices across the Highland region as a whole during 2017 – the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce reported a rise of 7.9 per cent for Highland property year-on-year, but generally prices remain fairly constant, with only small year-on-year increases, which offers certainty for buyers. Interest in the lifestyle offered here has been boosted by the success of the North Coast 500 and the beauty of the Highland scenery remains its most enduring attribute.

Currently on the market with Galbraith in Inverness are the following properties:

Gask House, Farr, Inverarnie. Offers over £825,000

Stunning four-bedroom family home with delightful views up Strathnairn, in a peaceful location within easy reach of Inverness. The property includes two extremely well-appointed holiday cottages currently let out successfully as 4* holiday lets. IACS registered farmland with pond. Modern agricultural building and further outbuildings. About 6.7 hectares of land in all.

Point Clair House, Loch Ness, Invermoriston. Offers over £795,000

A lovely country house in an unrivalled setting on the shores of Loch Ness, situated on a stunning peninsula extending into the loch. Point Clair House enjoys spectacular panoramic loch views and has direct access to the loch and a secluded shingle beach. Development potential – planning permission was granted in October 2017 for two three-bedroom houses within the grounds of the property. Point Clair House has previously been a successful self-catering holiday let and this consent offers the opportunity to expand this business in one of Scotland’s most popular tourist destinations.

Across Scotland as a whole, Galbraith handled over £40 million worth of property sales over the past quarter alone (Jan – March 2018).