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Property investment stats for Shaftesbury, South West

A complete guide to property investment in Shaftesbury.

Last updated: 18 September 2025

Investment summary

Shaftesbury offers a balanced property market with a mix of owner-occupied and rented homes, and a notable proportion of older residents. The area’s median price per sq ft of £324 per sq ft and a price-to-income ratio of 5.3 suggest that affordability is reasonable compared to many parts of the South West. Sales activity is moderate, with annual sales at 177 and homes spending an average of 68 days on the market, which points to steady — if not brisk — liquidity. Investors should note the median discount of £6,450 (the typical achieved discount), indicating that buyers have some room to negotiate.

Image of Shaftesbury, South West

Key investment stats for Shaftesbury

Median price per sq ft

£324 / sq ft

Average rental yield

4.0%

Capital growth (1y)

-2.0%

Sales in past year

177

* Property stats calculated for last full calendar year (2024).

Live property stats in Shaftesbury

Live prices in Shaftesbury, South West

* Extreme prices clipped for legibility

Properties for sale

Median price

£365,000

25% of properties below...

£262,500

75% of properties below...

£510,000

Most expensive property

£3,950,000

Live listings

143

Median days on market

68

Should you invest in Shaftesbury?

Opportunities

  • The average rental yield of 4.0% offers a stable return for landlords, and the top postcode district yield of 3.7% may present targeted opportunities.
  • Buyers can benefit from the median discount of £6,450 (the typical achieved discount), which means properties are typically secured below asking price.
  • The current median asking sale price of a 2-bedroom flat at £170,000 and a 3-bedroom house at £325,000** provide entry points for different investment strategies.

Risks

  • The 1-year capital growth of -2.0% shows recent price softening, so short-term capital gains may be limited.
  • With a rent-to-income ratio of 21.5%, rental affordability could limit future rent increases.
  • The market has a relatively high proportion of older and single occupier households, which may affect long-term tenant demand and resale dynamics.

Outlook

Looking ahead, Shaftesbury’s property market is likely to remain stable, supported by a solid base of owner-occupiers and a steady rental sector. The annualised growth over three years of 2.8% suggests that, despite short-term fluctuations, the area has delivered consistent returns for patient investors. Given the current median asking rents for a 3-bedroom house at £1,350, landlords can expect reliable income streams, though significant rent rises may be constrained by local wage levels.

Liquidity should remain reasonable, as properties are selling within 68 days on average and buyers are able to negotiate discounts. Investors who focus on long-term income and carefully manage tenant selection should find Shaftesbury a dependable, if unspectacular, addition to their portfolio.

Live properties in Shaftesbury

Investment properties in Shaftesbury, South West

7 bedroom detached house for sale
42% below median price

£650,000 - Guide Price

7 bedroom detached house for sale

Long Cross, Shaftesbury

Properties needing refurbishment in Shaftesbury, South West
Needs Refurb
3 bedroom semi-detached house for sale
On market for 177 days

£250,000 - Offers in Excess of

3 bedroom semi-detached house for sale

Legg Road, Shaftesbury

Slow to sell properties in Shaftesbury, South West
Slow to Sell
11 bedroom detached house for sale
6,606 sq ft

£1,150,000 - Guide Price

11 bedroom detached house for sale

Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, ...

Properties with planning granted in Shaftesbury, South West
Planning Granted
4 bedroom detached bungalow for sale
52% below median price

£625,000 - Guide Price

4 bedroom detached bungalow for sale

Bleke Street, Shaftesbury

Low price-per-sq-ft properties in Shaftesbury, South West
Low Price per Sq Ft
2 bedroom cottage for sale
20% below median price

£170,000 - Guide Price

2 bedroom cottage for sale

Butts Knapp, Shaftesbury, Dorset, S...

Auction properties in Shaftesbury, South West
Auction

Achieved vs asking prices

Key takeaway: Balanced market

Buyers have some negotiation leverage, but not much.

Headline stats

• Median discount: £6,450

• 1 in 4 properties sell at > £10,000 below asking

• 1 in 10 properties sell at > £18,000 below asking

In percentage terms:

• Median discount of 2.2%

• 25% of properties discounted by > 3.6%

• 10% of properties discounted by > 4.8%

Best places to invest in Shaftesbury

Top postcodes for rental yield and (annualised) capital growth

Rank
Postcode
Yield
Capital growth
Median £/sq ft
1SP73.7%3.0%£329 / sq ft

Data sources

GeoGlider calculates property investment stats by blending official and proprietary datasets. Here's a quick overview of key sources and how we use them:

  • HM Land Registry: Property transaction and sold-price records for England & Wales used to calculate historical capital growth, price levels and comparables.

  • Office for National Statistics (ONS): Demographic and economic indicators for the UK, including Census 2021, supporting area profiling and market context.

  • Ordnance Survey: Authoritative UK geospatial data powering accurate boundaries, roads and terrain for mapping and spatial analysis.

  • GeoProp: Our proprietary AI pipeline that processes millions of property listings to extract rich features and live market signals.

  • Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scores and property floor areas.

  • HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC): Household income and employment data to understand local affordability and economic conditions.

Data is updated continuously, matched across sources and rigorously validated.