The Herald - The Herald Magazine
THE VOICE OF PROPERTY
THE latest Residential Market Survey from RICS Scotland suggests the continued lack of supply means new buyer enquiries are not yet translating into increased sales activity. Looking at the first quarter of 2022 reveals a similar pattern overall, with new buyer enquiries on the rise but new instructions to sell falling, which consequently has led to a drop in sales. Commenting on the findings, Grant Robertson, FRICS of Allied Surveyors Scotland, says: “The continuing squeeze on sales stock, together with the restricted release of new homes to the market, has resulted in the bull market continuing, with multiple offers at closing and offers often sitting 20 per cent or more over the home report value.” He adds: “With the squeeze on household incomes, something has to give.”
GOOD to see the future of the A-listed Mansion House in Tollcross Park has been secured by Spectrum Properties, a familyowned local property company with an excellent track record for preserving much of Glasgow’s Victorian architectural heritage. The property was purchased by Shettleston Housing Association last year in a deal negotiated by Graham and Sibbald. It has now been sold to Spectrum at an undisclosed sum and the company plans to spend a further £1 million converting its spacious 13 apartments for rental. Regarded as one of the East End’s most attractive assets, Mansion House was built 174 years ago by architect David Bryce for the mine-owning Dunlop family and features classic crow-stepped gables, corbelled turrets and pointed roofs. The new homes will be served by a private road sweeping through the park.
HOMES south of the border are not normally featured in Scotland’s Homes, however, as a long-time fan of the TV series Doc Martin, I am including a mention for Fern Cottage, the Grade II listed stone double-fronted property in Port Isaac which is used as the fictional Portwenn home and workplace of Dr Martin Ellingham. Overlooking the sea from a prime position within the pretty Cornish village, the two-bedroomed fisherman’s cottage comes to market at a guide price of £1.25m with
John Bray Estates just prior to the last ever season being released. Fame comes at a price…