The area has seen the most buoyant market in Scotland since the sector reopened in June, following the lockdown period.
Savills rural agency expert in Dumfries, Sian Houston said: “Generally farming buyers are investing in order to expand existing enterprises, or to relocate to larger or better equipped farms.
“There is significant demand for marginal land, from both farming and forestry buyers, which is creating competition and pushing prices upwards.
“Everything is generating interest, from small parcels of bare land and farmhouses with a few acres to larger commercial farms.”
She explained the market is driven by key factors such as the value for money on offer in the south west, the demand for these properties outweighing supply and the comparatively temperate climate making it popular to both farming and forestry interests, adding: “In addition, as a result of the pandemic demand has been further boosted by the surge of buyers from urban areas who are looking for a change of lifestyle.”
According to Savills’ latest research, despite uncertainty caused by covid and Brexit, Scottish farmland values have remained strong, with more deals being done privately.
The firm says this highlights the underlying confidence in rural investments and the ongoing resilience of the sector.
Their head of rural agency in Scotland Evelyn Channing said: “While publicly marketed supply does remain at an all-time low, privately advertised and off-market sales have been an alternative avenue to sale for some vendors. So far this year we have agreed sales and purchases on as many acres privately as on the open market.
“The results reveal a continued appetite from farmers for quality land and well equipped units.”
