THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK
COMMUTING
17
By road and now rail, the Borders is open for business!
Ask any property professional the most important criteria for buying and selling a home and the succinct answer will be, Location, Location, Location. Ultimately a property’s location will have the greatest impact on its market value – while it’s possible to renovate a property or even knock it down and build from scratch, neighbourhood and surroundings will remain the same. What makes an ideal location? Buyers tend to fall into two categories: those looking to practical matters and those influenced by emotion and spirituality. Practicalities are largely dictated by schooling and leisure amenities for buyers with children, but also commuting, recreational and sports facilities, restaurants and other venues for socialising.
Emotion and spirituality on the other hand are usually influenced by family connections and nature - spectacular scenery and views and seasonal variations, while being in close proximity to water can also elicit a calming and soporific effect.
Commuting is the new Location and a sure-fire solution for the majority of house buyers these days who are looking to have it all – a rural or semi-rural home and lifestyle close to good schools and other amenities, but within easy reach of transport links to commute to towns and cities.
Satisfying all aspects can be challenging but the Scottish Borders has locations that tick all these boxes and as savvy buyers nowadays are calculating a three-pronged approach between location, house prices and commuting, the opening of the new Borders Railway gives those for whom the commute may previously have been a step too far, the opportunity to come on down to Borders region and benefit from all the advantages and opportunities available.
Commuting can also make financial sense given that fuel costs have come down and house prices away from inner cities and suburbs tend to be lower and offer more, often substantially more, for the same money. In addition, many businesses offer flexible work hours to avoid travelling at peak periods – more people also have the ability to work from home for all or part of the week, and these work patterns in turn allow house buyers to look at locations further afield.