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

Deals for homes worth more than £750,000 are up 7% in June over last year with more properties on market

Sales of expensive UK country houses rose in June, signalling a possible recovery in demand as buyers are tempted out by lower prices after an extended slump.

The estate agency Knight Frank said the number of exchanges of contract for sales of country houses – defined as a rural home worth more than £750,000 – was up 7% in June compared with last year as the number of properties for sale rose while prices fell.