14 Feb Homeowners in the East optimistic about house prices
Research from Co-op Insurance has revealed that 96% of homeowners in the East think their house value has increased since they bought it – by an average of £33,565.
Nationally, the study which questioned 1,000 UK homeowners has found that 31% of homeowners bought their property with their eye firmly on how much money they could make from their investment. Of these, a reliance on house prices increasing generally was the main way (62%) homeowners were hoping this would happen.
Location was also a key deciding factor with over a third (34%) buying in an already desirable area whilst 32% of people did their research and sought out properties in areas classed as ‘up and coming’. Whilst 29% bought a home in clear need of renovation.
Changing rooms is a common theme, with 76% of homeowners in the UK making changes to their property since they moved in.
Of these, 60% believe the renovation works they’ve completed has led to an increase in value. On average, the renovation and decorative work that homeowners have invested in came to £18,224. This means that, on average, homeowners are seeing a £14,900 profit as a result of these works.
Homeowners in London have seen the biggest average rise in profit thanks to renovation and decorative works with 94% believing their property has increased in value by £21,499. However in Northern Ireland, despite 78% of people thinking their value has increased, it doesn’t look to be down to décor or renovation work, with an average loss of £205 being recorded when you compare spend on renovations versus potential value increases.
