<ul data-eligibleForWebStory="false"><li>Sales of expensive UK country houses rose by 7% in June compared to last year, indicating a potential recovery in demand as buyers are attracted by lower prices after a prolonged slump.</li><li>The increase in properties for sale is being driven by second-home owners, following council tax changes aimed at leveling the playing field for local inhabitants in popular holiday areas. The number of country houses coming to the market was 9% higher in the second quarter of the year compared to last year.</li><li>Average country house prices fell by 3.5% in the three months to June, faster than the 1.6% decline in the year to March. The increased supply of rural homes is also attributed to factors such as a stock overhang from the stamp duty cliff edge in March and buyers resuming plans paused due to political uncertainties.</li><li>Knight Frank described the current market as the 'most favourable for buyers in the country for seven years,' with only 5.9 potential buyers for every new country house on the market, compared to nearly 19 during the peak pandemic exodus from cities.</li></ul>

Sales of UK country houses rise as buyers tempted out by lower prices

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