Symonds & Sampson held their first post referendum property auction on Friday 1 July in Sherborne and it was a clear indication of buying habits in the region. Properties were offered for sale in three counties, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire and there was strong demand from people in the room as well as telephone bidders.

Auctioneer Mark Lewis said “This was six week campaign so it covered the time before the referendum and the week following so it was a fascinating time. I have auctioned cattle during the BSE, and foot and mouth crisis, as well as property during the readjustment of prices in 2007 and 2008, after Lehman brothers and Northern Rock’s demise, but the referendum result did not feel as seismic as those events. Some buyers dropped out in the early part of the week, following the EU vote, but once the dust settled and they realised that the commentators were talking down the over inflated London market rather than the prices in the Symonds & Sampson region they became interested again and came to the sale.

Highlights included a bungalow for updating near Bradford on Avon set in a quiet village of Upper Westwood. We had over one hundred calls form interested people mainly because the faster train from Bath to London is due to arrive in 2017 which makes commuting easier.

The hammer price was £250,000.

A building plot overlooking the cricket pitch at Iwerne Minster near Blandford was also popular as this was a lovely site with great views for a 1600 sq ft dwelling. The gavel dropped to a telephone bidder for £195,000.

Land prices held up well with 4 acres at North Cheriton near Wincanton selling after spirited bidding for £50,000 to a local farming family.

A house with land at Verwood was sold subject to contract after the auction.