Our new residential magazine looks at what's happening in your area: ‘Buyers have proved surprisingly optimistic.'

The Salisbury office enjoys a unique perspective on the country-house market, covering that beautiful stretch of Dorset and Wiltshire countryside that is desirable to the local buyer as well as the weekly and daily commuter. Despite the weak global economy, London-based buyers have proved surprisingly optimistic in recent months, possibly owing to house prices in the capital continuing to rise. What's more, our neighbouring offices in Winchester and Newbury successfully promoted our properties to more traditional commuters who could be persuaded that the right house lay that little bit further west. These factors all contributed to our office, on average, achieving sales at 97% of guide prices. This is particularly impressive when one considers that prices have been falling slowly throughout last year.

There have even been situations where demand was strong enough to create competition. For example, a former old rectory on the Hampshire/Wiltshire border (opposite) generated more than 60 viewings last autumn and sold well in excess of the guide price of £1.35 million. Most of the bidders were London-based and intending to commute - our growing network of offices in the capital provides a steady stream of purchasers.

It would seem, therefore, that although the world economy affects buyers' confidence, it doesn't dampen demand for good country houses in an area with outstanding countryside, excellent schools and an easy weekly commute. We speak to many a buyer whose future is likely to involve a more flexible commuting pattern, working from home some of the time. Most of Wiltshire and Dorset suits that regime extremely well, so we strongly believe that the path from London to the Wiltshire/Dorset border will continue to be well trodden throughout this year.

Read the full magazine: &homes - Wiltshire & Dorset