If you’re selling your property in the South West, you might be wondering how to boost your asking price when it comes time to sell.
While traditional methods like renovating your kitchen or converting your loft can certainly help, there are some more surprising factors that could increase your property’s value – factors that are completely out of your control.
Believe it or not, living near a supposedly haunted site could add a significant premium to the price of your home!
Recent research analysed house prices in postcodes close to haunted castles, locations known for paranormal activity, and ghost trails. The study then compared those property values to similar homes in less spooky locations. The results revealed that homes near haunted sites could be worth nearly £60,000 more than similar properties in other areas!
Location Matters
While living near “haunted” sites generally boosts property prices, certain areas are more popular with paranormal enthusiasts than others. For instance, homes near Hangman’s Hill in Essex – where drivers experience an eerie anti-gravity phenomenon – have values over £200,000 higher than the average property in the county.
In Somerset, properties close to Farleigh Hungerford Castle also fetch significantly higher prices. Homes in the area are valued at almost 50% more than the average for Somerset, with some buyers willing to pay over £500,000 to live near the infamous Lady Hungerford’s ghost!
Affordable Hauntings
If your home is situated next to a ghostly hotspot, you might be feeling optimistic about its potential selling price. However, don’t get ahead of yourself! The same research showed that not all haunted sites come with a premium price tag. In fact, some spooky locations actually have lower property values than comparable homes nearby.
For example, houses near Aston Hall in Birmingham – which has been haunted since the 1600s – have prices around 40% below the West Midlands average. Meanwhile, homes close to Conisbrough Castle in Doncaster, known for its “intense” paranormal activity, are currently priced about 30% lower than the South Yorkshire average.
Profiting from the Paranormal
Although some haunted locations don’t command higher prices, it seems that rumours of paranormal activity rarely deter UK homebuyers. With so many haunted spots across the country, there’s no shortage of properties near supernatural sites!
If you’re selling a property near a haunted site, there’s no need to worry – you’re likely to attract plenty of interest, and you might even be able to add a spooky premium to your asking price.
Webbers are your local property experts for Devon, Cornwall and Somerset area and we can help you.