Most people who register with Northfields know exactly what they are looking for in property and a great number of buyers and tenants love period properties and have "period features" on their wish lists. However, there is a growing trend toward eco-awareness and sense of the growing cost of utilities. Does this mean that we'll see a shift away from buyers and tenants searching for drafty Victorian terrace homes and stately Edwardian conversions?
A new study by the Energy Saving Trust shows that, even in an average year, a family in a three-bedroom Victorian semi will pay £250 more in energy bills than a family in a three-bedroom new-build semi. Added to that, Energyhelpline, the price comparison service predicts that British families will pay £1.9 billion in extra heating charges as a result of this winter's unusually cold weather - it is clear that the gap between old and new home utility bills will widen even further as the latest bills land through our letterboxes.
While it is true that it is possible to update a period home so that they meet 21st century expectations, doing it properly can be costly, sometimes equally the entire worth of the house.
So is it better then to turn our back on the appeal of the older home? An article in the Times Online recently quoted Ian Dungavell, director of the Victorian Society as saying, “It will take more than snow and ice to put us off Victorian houses. What’s important is to consider how these houses were lived in and learn from it."“In recent years there has been a vogue for knocking down walls to create an open-plan space. But of course, they weren’t designed for this,” he says. “Originally you had smallish rooms with a single radiant heat source — and a door. If you wanted to keep a room warm, you closed the door. The idea that it’s desirable to heat a whole house to a uniform temperature is a very modern one.”
Even with smaller spaces being draped heavily to conserve heat and people wearing many layers of heavy clothing, life in a Victorian home would seem harsh to most modern homeowners and tenants. Although there were fireplaces in most bedrooms, the fires would only be lit if the inhabitant was ill. The fact was that life as a Victorian was quite cold.
Will the current cold-weather inspire house-hunters to turn away from period homes and look for new-build properties instead? According to the May 2009 YouGov survey carried out for the New Homes Marketing Board many prospective buyers rated eco-efficiency as their third biggest concern, only surmounted by having a garden and ironically a place to park their car.
Even at the high end of the market, where money for heating may be less of a concern, many buyers are looking for new apartments with all the gadgets rather than the charm of crown mouldings and creaky floorboards.
Whether you prefer the eco-friendly life with the convenience of a newly built home such as this property for sale in Lovelace House, in Ealing:
Two bedroom apartment for sale at £269,950 Click here for more information on this property.
Or if you still prefer the charm and grace of older properties such as this two bedroom Victorian conversion flat in Shaa Road, Acton, Northfields can help.
Two bedroom conversion flat for sale £284,950 Click here for more information on this property.
Old or new, Northfields can help you find the property you are looking for. Call us on 0208 840 6666 now or register online by clicking here.
Comments