Confidence returns to region's property market

BUYERS are re-engaging in the Dumfries and Galloway property market with renewed confidence, according to property consultancy Galbraith.

The firm handled over £31m worth of property sales in this region last year.

And their latest findings show the average exchange price for local properties sold throughout 2025 was higher than the previous year.

Galbraiths say the region is attracting a mix of buyers, including young families appreciating the value for money offered, as well as relocators from other parts of the UK, particularly the South of England, as well as those from central Scotland seeking a more rural work-life-balance.

Castle Douglas associate Aaron Edgar said: “We have experienced some challenges with sales that were reliant on buyers selling first and thus creating a perilous chain system, particularly those involving homes in England.

"Pre-Budget nerves also started to play their part in transactions through the autumn and this certainly impacted buyer confidence and activity throughout the final quarter of 2025.

“However, that said, the fall in interest rates has provided great encouragement for the year ahead with lower mortgage rates allowing buyers to re-engage in the market with renewed confidence. We conducted many market appraisals for properties before the end of 2025 and currently through the early part of 2026 with a view to launching on the market later in the year. This has resulted in a good level of interesting properties coming to the market since the start of the year and indicating a healthy and active spring season ahead."

He advises that sensible pricing remains key in the current climate, but for those properties that remain in high demand – small holdings, coastal properties and those with a good portion of land and accommodation on offer to allow flexible living – competing bids are driving successful sales.