Symonds & Sampson’s March auctions attracted interested parties from all over the South of England and London as well as telephone bidders from Europe as 14 lots went under the hammer in Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

Auctioneer Mark Lewis said, “We moved our 1 April auction to 30 March to allow buyers to complete on 31 March before stamp duty changes added a further 3% to second homes and buy-to-let properties.  However, with the Easter weekend taking out 2 working days it put pressure on everyone to get the legal packs approved and money moved so that deposits could be lodged and completions made within time.  Thankfully everyone was organised and 600 people attended both sales with a total number of bids at 325.

“Small parcels of land remain in strong demand and the trigger for buying can be varied.  Some people wanted the land for horses or growing orchards but others just wanted somewhere to put their caravan in the summer and a view to contemplate life. Two acres near Axminster with stables sold for £82,000 whilst 3 acres of meadow land in a flood zone at Charminster sold for £51,000 and 3.7 acres in Netherbury near Bridport sold for £90,000.

“Period properties, especially any with history, are always popular and we sold a former nunnery at Combpyne in East Devon believed to have a tunnel with a direct link to the church as the nuns were not allowed to be seen in daylight!  This sold for £240,000 whilst 3 properties around Weymouth quay and within walking distance of the beach sold between £137,000 and £183,000, averaging 48% above the guide.  A thatched, Grade II Listed cottage at Stourpaine near Blandford sold for £250,000.

“Auction properties often need improvement and we sold a bungalow in Shaftesbury and a barn in Othery near Bridgewater. A smallholding at Hawkchurch in East Devon sold for £508,000, 20% above the guide.

“The most excitement, however, was for a garden in the conservation area of Sherborne which was owned by one of the town’s great characters.  We had terrific interest even though it did not have planning permission but buyers were encouraged from conversations with the District Council that they would get a dwelling on the site.  We guided the plot at £100,000 but after 70 quick bids the hammer fell at a massive £401,000.

“Perhaps you should be looking at your garden and thinking that perhaps Symonds & Sampson can get a similar price for that!”