JK Rowling: Author sells Merchiston house in three weeks
An Edinburgh house where Harry Potter author JK Rowling lived until she moved to the outskirts of the capital has been sold.
Estate agents Rettie said it took just three weeks from when it went on the market for offers over £2.25m to the missives being concluded on the sale.
The Rettie listing attracted more than 16,000 unique visits on its website.
The multi-millionaire writer moved from the eight-bedroom Merchiston home to a house in Barnton in 2009.
The author of the bestselling book series about a boy wizard lived with her husband Dr Neil Murray and her three children at the Merchiston property.
The stone-built house is on two floors and also has an office building.
In the prospectus for the property, the home is described as being situated in "one of Edinburgh's most exclusive conservation areas".
It has a "discreet landscaped and walled garden" and had undergone a redesign to "complement retained Victorian period features".
It also has a summerhouse, various outhouses and a double garage.
James Whitson, a director of Rettie, said despite 65% of the web visits originating from overseas, those who viewed the property and noted interest were Scottish-based businessmen.
He said: "This was an iconic house in Edinburgh and it was a privilege to be entrusted with its sale.
"The fact we secured a buyer so quickly demonstrates that even in the most challenging of economic environments, we are well-placed to service the needs of our clients at the higher end of the market.
"Further to this it also illustrates there is a shortage of quality supply in Edinburgh and that when any property is correctly priced, in a prime location, it will attract significant interest and in most cases, a buyer."
In July, JK Rowling's husband applied for planning permission for two huge interlocked treehouses at their new home in Barnton.
The application said the tree houses were for their children to play in.
It is understood the tree houses, which would be built by Blue Forest, would cost £150,000.
Rowling has an 18-year-old daughter and a son and daughter aged nine and seven.