PROPERTY - why people yearn for country living

As estate agents and property programmes will tell you, where a property is located can have a significant bearing on its value. In monetary terms, a good location adds an average of £10,000 on a home’s value, but many buyers would be prepared to pay up to £25,000 more to get a place in the all important perfect location.

While proximity to good schools, work and transportation links are still crucial deciding factors, being within easy reach of the countryside is now the most prized locational attribute for a home.

A survey by Halifax Estate Agents has revealed that almost one in three buyers would pay up to £10,000 more for a property in a desirable location. A further 12 per cent would be prepared to up their offer by between £10,000 and £25,000.

When it comes to local geography, by far the biggest draw for prospective property owners is country air, with close proximity to the countryside considered the most important feature by 26 per cent of respondents. Having good transport links nearby was the top priority for 18 per cent of those surveyed. This was closely followed by proximity to work and being located near to a good school, with 14 per cent choosing each of these options as their primary consideration.

Not surprisingly, the buyers’ ages play a significant role in the location stakes. Proximity to a good school is the most prized location factor for both the 25–34 and 35–44 age groups, while for the 18–24 group good transportation links come out on top.

Colin Kemp, managing director for Halifax Estate Agents, says, “It is interesting that being able to escape to the country is the most highly prized geographical factor for house hunters. According to our research, it ranks higher than some of the considerations that are traditionally thought to impact significantly on property prices, such as local schools and distance to work.

“Although other factors such as budget, specification and availability play an important part in the decision to purchase a property, most people begin their search for a home by looking at geographic location first.

“The fact that so many house hunters would be prepared to pay more for a property in their ideal location demonstrates how important this is in the home-buying process.”

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