Home buyer or seller, in my professional opinion the maxim ‘location, location, location’ still holds true as a key factor in many house buying decisions.
Arguably this was clearly highlighted during the early months of the pandemic when businesses were compelled for their employees to work from home and the UK subsequently saw the widespread introduction of flexible working practices. It was during this period that demand for rural and coastal properties soared, as some urbanites recalibrated their work-life balance and sought locations that offered easier access to the great outdoors.
In my opinion, the latest statistics published by Registers of Scotland (RoS – March 2023) may continue to highlight this increase in demand for properties in more rural locations. For example, while in January 2023 the City of Edinburgh is recorded as the highest-priced area to purchase a property (average of £322,220), it’s notable that 29 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas have shown an increase in property price over the past year.
Based on an annual percentage change, much of the highlands has seen average property prices (by local authority area) rise by an average of 5%. Within easy reach of Edinburgh and Glasgow and with its impressive backdrop of the Ochil Hills, Clackmannanshire records the highest rise at 12.4% and with an average property price of £171,538.
The value of that room with a view
You may be wondering why these observations are relevant to home reports. As a RICS recognised chartered surveyor with years of experience in preparing professional, detailed documents for the property seller, I am occasionally asked to consider the view from the property as part of the home report.
This is understandable. As the seller, you may be particularly proud of a lochside, mountain or coastal panorama enjoyed from the comfort of a kitchen table, a living room chair or even a balcony on your property. However, the simple fact is that current regulations do not permit the surveyor to take account of the aesthetics – the view – as part of the detailed home report. Rather, the survey within the legally required home report document is focused on the fundamentals of your property, including the number of rooms and ensuring it’s structurally sound.
I recognise that this can be frustrating for you as the property seller. However, it should be remembered that marketing material – including photography – often prepared by the sales agent – can present a great opportunity to highlight the aesthetic appeal of the property. This may influence the price received. However, ultimately it will come down to many factors, including the detail within the home report and how much your potential buyer values that special room with a view.
If you are looking for a RICS-qualified surveyor to carry out a property survey, get in touch today by calling us on 0131 608 0175, email us at info@homereportcompany.co.uk or send us a message online.