ITS recently launched virtual viewings and online auctions have helped Shepherd Chartered Surveyors sell a quartet of commercial properties in Huntly, a popular commuter town north of Aberdeen, for £575,000.
The first, trading as a café and restaurant known as ‘The Bank’, is located on a prominent corner position at the junction of The Square and Gordon Street is a two-storey grade B listed traditional granite building with a customer car park to the rear providing space for 15 vehicles.
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Due to the purchaser being based overseas, the initial interest was secured through a virtual viewing made possible due to Shepherd’s roll out of video tours for properties it is marketing.
Mark McQueen, Partner within Shepherd’s Aberdeen Commercial Department, said: “Our video tours marketing initiative has proven popular with clients where teaser video clips have been created to enable greater exposure to online marketing, something which has become more popular in recent years.
“This initiative has resulted in the ability to progress an interest in a property at a time when travel is problematic and the sale of ‘The Bank’ would not have completed without it.”
The second sale comprised office premises with potential for residential conversion, located on Deveron Road, northwest of Huntly town centre.
Shepherd has also sold two former J&I Smith Baker’s properties in the town, following its recently launched an online auction service with marketing and advice given from qualified surveyors resulting in a high level of service to clients to extract best value from this medium.
The first, traditional mid terraced retail premises with a two-bedroom flat above, occupy a central location on Castle Street.
The second is a large commercial facility comprising two retail units with potential to sub-divide, and a substantial commercial bakery to the rear on Gordon Street, part of the A97, a main thoroughfare through the town.
“Keen interest has been expressed in premises in our auction in the Northeast of Scotland with the majority of our auction lots being successfully disposed of in the first auction they appear in,” said Mr McQueen.
“And the values achieved have been at a level that matched or exceeded clients’ expectations.”
The level of activity continues in Huntly with more opportunities expected to come to the market shortly, highlighting the activity Shepherd is experiencing in Huntly and the Northeast of Scotland in general with various transactions taking place in other towns such as Peterhead, Banchory, Inverurie and Turriff.
“While High Streets are perceived to be difficult at present, these towns continue to attract demand for opportunities that arise,” said Mr McQueen.
“There will be further voids in these towns to come, but the level of demand we are witnessing will also provide opportunities for new businesses in these locations.
