Skye For Sale...?

Two of our good friends on Skye currently have their homes on the market, and it sometimes seems like almost everywhere on Skye is for sale. I guess it is a reflection of the constant flow of people moving here and moving away. Sure, Skye has its long-term residents - some who have lived here all their lives - but incomers come and go with an almost predictable regularity.

So, is it time for you to relocate to Skye? Well, property prices here tend to rise all time - just like most other places – so now is as good-a time as any. Here, though, the increase in prices is quite slow, and incomers from many parts of the UK will find prices lower than they are ‘back home’. Some properties here take a long time to sell. For example – there are a number of businesses for sale in Dunvegan just now, including a shop, a garage with adjoining café, and several guest house/B&Bs. All have been on the market for at least a year. It seems that the properties which sell fastest are what I would describe as ‘little gems’ – small (2-bedroom) traditional cottages in decent condition, with great views, and priced well under £200,000.

There are three estate agents on Skye – Remax in Broadford, and The Isle of Skye Estate Agency and Skye Property Centre in Portree. On their books currently are quite a number of properties for sale, with habitable residential properties from under £100,000 to about £450,000 - and you get a lot of house at the top end of the price range! At these prices, it makes buying a plot and having a new house built look like rather an expensive option. There is a severe shortage of long-term rental property however – I get quite frequent enquiries through this blog for help or suggestions with finding rental property. Just now none of the Skye agents have ANY rental properties on offer. Maybe it a good time for anyone with £££s to spend, and keen on property management, to buy-up a few good houses for the long-let rental market?