THE demand for farms in the Borders remains strong, according to one local estate agent.
James Denne, of Knight Frank’s Lauder office, was speaking to TheSouthern this week, after a local agricultural and sporting estate went on the market at offers over £2.75million.
Housebyres, near Melrose, which is being sold by Knight Frank, extends to 1,325 acres and comprises productive pasture and arable land, mature and young woodland plantations, a range of modern farm buildings, a three-bedroom farm cottage, pheasant shoot and duck flighting.
The farm is managed for lamb production, with a significant grant and subsidy income and has outline planning permission to build a farmhouse.
The farm has the capacity to accommodate up to 2,500 ewes. Prior to the current farming system, the farm had operated with up to 200 suckler cows, 1,600 ewes and 200 acres of combinable crops.
Mr Denne, who sold another sizeable Borders farm recently, commented: “Hopefully, the sale of Housebyres will go as well. The demand for farms in the Borders remains pretty strong.
“However, where houses are concerned, the most important thing is for owners to be realistic. That is vital at the moment.”