THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK
COMMUTING
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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.
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WHEN YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING PROPERT Y . . . IT HAS TO BE BSPC
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 BSPC chairman David Kilshaw comments: “The new railway is going to appeal not only to a wide range of Borderers of working age looking to gain access to the wider jobs market and higher salaries available in the city, but also to existing town dwellers who are looking to relocate to a more rural setting within easy commuting distance. “It has been suggested that the railway will only benefit people living in the towns and villages in close proximity to the route of the line. In my view, this is a rather out of date way of looking at commuting into work. With the cost of town centre parking having shot up in the last decade, driving some distance to access out of town park and ride facilities is now simply accepted as part of the average working day.” He adds: “For people who are already leaving the house before 7am to drive into Edinburgh across the Forth Road bridge or via the existing motorway network, a drive of 30 minutes on quiet roads to get to the nearest free park and ride will seem like a walk in the park, and so we can expect to see an improving house market in towns that lie ten or even twenty miles away from the nearest station.”
The new 30-mile railway between Edinburgh Waverley and Tweedbank will have eight stops in between - roughly in line with the A7 – and a journey time from start to finish of 55 minutes. The other two new stations within Border region are at Galashiels (50 minutes to Edinburgh) and Stow (42 minutes). As Galashiels is at the geographic centre of the Scottish Borders, it means that the railway – previously only accessible to those living within close proximity to the rail station in Berwick upon Tweed – is now central and accessible to the many outlying towns and villages that extend along or close to the route.
Being new, the train stations are modern and provide sheltered waiting areas, step-free access, sheltered cycle storage and car parking – the latter with the exception of Galashiels station, which is located in the centre of the town and easily accessible via public transport.
Albany House, Meigle Street, Galashiels Offers Around £235,000
The rail service could also result in less traffic on the roads, arguably making it easier for those who prefer to drive and have easy access to those existing main routes through the Borders linking to the Edinburgh city by-pass – the A68 in the case of Melrose, Newstead, Lauder, Earlston, St Boswells and Ancrum, while the village of Stow is in a win-win situation; close to the A7 but now with the addition of a train station.
Netherwood, Tweed Road, Galashiels Offers Around £245,000 A style beloved by generations of families, this attractive red sandstone semi-detached villa is situated in a sought -after area of Galashiels, within easy reach of the town centre, rail station, parks and schools. Internally it has two public rooms, cloakroom, large dining kitchen, four bedrooms and bathroom, and benefits from a particularly sizeable rear garden with summerhouse, outbuildings, greenhouse and detached garage. • See page 34 for full details.
A traditional Victorian semi-detached townhouse of distinction, Albany House is an ideal family home with adaptable accommodation and a large garden at the rear. Over three levels it has four public rooms, breakfasting kitchen, ground floor bedroom with en suite and dressing room, three further bedrooms, second bathroom, plus a studio and attic bedroom. • See page 36 for full details.
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THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK
Some parts of the Borders have always attracted commuters from Edinburgh and further afield. Peebles, located at the end of the A703/A701, is a favourite lifestyle choice owing to its scenic setting, diverse property market and great schools and other amenities. Equally well placed are smaller nearby villages of Eddleston, Cardrona and Kirkton Manor. Similarly, improvements to the A1 on the east coast have opened up parts of Berwickshire as a viable alternative to East Lothian, where property often carries a premium. It remains to be seen how much of a premium the new railway will add to Border property prices, but there will undoubtedly be financial gains for those properties with key strategic positions. Location may be everything but it is not in the one-size-fits-all category. What matters is for families to determine their needs by drawing up a list, starting with the big picture – ideal location – and working through specifics such as transport links, time spent commuting, school catchment areas, broadband speed, access to shops, health services, social and leisure amenities, and proximity to neighbours, friends and family, to things like off-road parking, orientation in relation to natural light and sun exposure, gardens, pet requirements and views. The Scottish Borders has many desirable towns and villages that combine glorious scenery, wide choice of property and excellent amenities – and with an optional new commuter route, it’s all there for the taking!
10 Tweedbank View, Galashiels Guide Price £220,000
This modern detached bungalow occupies a sizeable plot in a cul-desac setting only a few minutes walk from the new railway terminus and sports complex. Attractively presented, it has a cloakroom, living room, conservatory, stylish fitted kitchen, utility, four bedrooms and bathroom. The property also has a monobloc driveway to the integral garage at the front and a very large rear garden. • See page 38 for full details.
4 Balmoral Place, Galashiels, TD1 1JE Fixed Price £80,000
Priced £10,000 below Home Report value, this spacious two bedroomed flat would be a dream starter home, particularly as it has an immaculate contemporary interior finish and quality fittings. The layout comprises spacious open-plan living/dining/fitted kitchen area, two box rooms (ideal study and utility), two bedrooms – one double, one single – and beautiful shower room. It also benefits from having a shared patio garden and outhouse. • See page 59 for full details.
A small selection of BSPC commuter -friendly properties in Border towns with stations on the Waverley line
The Hollies, 4 Michelston Farm Cottages, Stow Guide Price £245,000
Extensively modernised and extended making it far larger than it appears, The Hollies is in a spectacularly beautiful rural location with open views and landscaped gardens that include a decked terrace, summerhouse, patio areas and barbecue. Inside, the accommodation comprises living room, large conservatory, fitted breakfasting kitchen, two bath/shower rooms, three bedrooms and a large attic room/studio. • See page 35 for full details.
26 Rosebank Place,
An end terraced house situated in
Galashiels, TD1 1HG
a quiet cul-de-sac with open views
Guide Price £135,000
interior, the two-storey
to the rear. With a well-presented accommodation includes hall, living/dining room with patio doors to the low maintenance back garden, attractively fitted kitchen, three bedrooms and bathroom. There is also a carport to one side for off-road parking. • See page 48 for full details.
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WHEN YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING PROPERT Y . . . IT HAS TO BE BSPC
The new railway is going to appeal not only to a wide range of Borderers looking to gain access to the wider jobs market available in the city, but also to existing town dwellers who are looking to relocate to a more rural setting within easy commuting distance.
28th-29th August Stowed Out Festival, Stow
CELEBRATION EVENTS
3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th September Galashiels Market, Galashiels
The opening of the Borders Railway will be celebrated across Edinburgh, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, with events taking place across communities along the line.
5 Riverside Drive, Tweedbank Guide Price £157,500
5th September Stow Annual Flower Show, Stow Town Hall Carnival Themed Community Event, Quoiting Green, Stow, 3-6pm
Many of these events will be open to everyone to come along and join in the fun. However, please be aware that access to the stations on the 5th of September will be strictly limited to those lucky enough to be Golden Ticket holders.
6th September Service of Dedication, Galashiels 9th September - The Official Opening
Listed are just some of the events that are taking place around the date of the opening of the railway. We hope that these whet your appetite to come and explore this beautiful part of Scotland by rail. Ahead of the launch activity, you can also get involved in the #MyBordersRailway campaign which is running via social media on the @BordersRailway account. Simply tell us how you will use the railway and post alongside the hashtag. More information about how you can get involved and additional events information for the Lothians area can be found online at: www.bordersrailway.co.uk
Her Majesty the Queen will officially open the Borders Railway. The centrepiece of the opening festival will be a Royal opening on the 9th, where the Queen will be joined by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to take an historic steam journey along the route with celebrations at either end. 6th-12th September Scottish Borders Walking Festival (Galashiels & surrounding area)
Situated on the edge of Tweedbank village midway between Galashiels and Melrose, this modern semi-detached home will appeal to family buyers. The layout features a living room with staircase to the upper floor, dining room, conservatory, fitted kitchen, three bedrooms and bathroom, plus gardens and garage. • See page 45 for full details.
11th- 13th September 100 Bands on the Border, Galashiels 12th September - Doors Open Day Various venues throughout The Scottish Borders and Midlothian.
35 Abbotslea, Tweedbank Guide Price £140,000
A small selection of BSPC commuter -friendly properties in Border towns with stations on the Waverley line 140 Galashiels Road, Stow Guide Price £240,000 Open outlooks and lovely views enhance this one-off detached chalet-style villa, which is in immaculate condition throughout. The flexible accommodation includes a hall and cloakroom, lounge with woodburning stove, sitting room, study, dining kitchen, utility, master bedroom with en suite and doors to a covered balcony, two further bedrooms and shower room. Easily kept gardens surround the property and include a timber deck, plus garage and driveway. • See page 36 for full details.
Occupying a preferred cul-de-sac setting and benefitting from a child-friendly fully enclosed rear garden, this attractive semi-detached house has been considerably upgraded and is in pristine condition throughout. The accommodation comprises hall, living room, breakfasting kitchen, utility, conservatory, two bedrooms and stylish bathroom. • See page 48 for full details.