Does making your house look 'period' add value?

Lunge

Hello all,

Was having this discussion with my friends, and we seem to be split 50/50 on whether making a house look like a period property (internally) can add value.

2 of them live in Forest Hill (London) in terraced Victorian properties. Both have period exteriors and are in the process of selling (under offer). The exterior/streets are almost identical in style/price range.

However, Friend 1, has completely refurbished the interior to make it very modern. No period features remain (other than moderately high ceilings).

Friend 2 did something similar re modernisation, but just before putting it on the market, she spent £10k 'periodifying' her house. She changed the skirting boards, installed engineered wide plank wood in the ground floor areas, added a fireplace surround with large candles in the middle. She also did smaller changes, such as changing the door handles to Victorian brass etc. She even made the garden look 'period'.

Her property is under offer for £25k more. She is adamant this is as a result of the period look/feel.

Does anyone have any experience of this or agree/disagree? Can making the interior look more period really increase the appeal and therefore value?

FatVonD

I would pay more for a house that still retained its original period features than one where they had been stripped out (but not £25k more!)

My house (a semi) had been completely refurbished when I bought it (just 2 original fireplaces remain.) When we were nearing completion a house on the same road (end of terrace) with original windows and all period features sold for £12.5k more.

Davesnave

If it's a period house to start with, and not listed, then replacing period features with carefully chosen ones from restoration yards and salvage companies can put back lost character and probably enhance the price, but not everyone wants to live with a Victorian/Edwardian/At Deco interior.

Also it's not cheap, unless you have the right skills and connections. Spending the same sort of money on giving the house a quality modern interior might give the same result value-wise.

The worst situation is falling somewhere between the two.

Trying to add period features to non-period houses is just daft. Considering the number of leaded light upvc windows on relatively modern property, I am staggered at the number of daft people about!

eddddy

I think it's a fashion thing really.

A few years ago the preference was for houses that retained their 'period' appearance outside, but looked and felt like new-builds when you went inside - large open plan rooms, modern lighting etc.

Now the preference is more for retaining 'charming', quirky period features (but perhaps less convenient to live in).


I think houses with period features are probably selling at a premium at the moment, but fashions will change and they may become less desirable.

phoebe1989seb

We would certainly far rather have a house with its period features intact - or potential for them to be reinstated We would also always choose an *untouched* period house - aka a project - over one that had been modernised or refurbed to within an inch of its life, lol!

Based upon that theory I don't know that we'd be paying extra for period features as most houses we buy tend to be projects and therefore are not as expensive

Once purchased we do always decorate in period style - paint colours, wallpapers etc - but that's primarily because these compliment our collections of period *stuff* that we love - although our bathrooms and kitchen tastes tend towards the more contemporary/classic.

Our current house (recently SSTC within five weeks when the average selling time here is more like 6-12 months - which maybe says something?) had been butchered by the PO, who seemed to be attempting to create a pastiche of a country cottage.....the house is Georgian, relatively grand compared to its neighbours with high ceilings and some shuttered windows, and whilst it is in a rural location his idea of removing all the plaster to reveal bare stone in every room and building fake beamed walls was taking several steps too far imho

stator

For Victorian houses, yes I believe most people will want/expect period features. I don't think you can put a number on it though, as clearly some people prefer the modern look. So I think it just increases your chances of getting a good offer.
If your house is 60s/70s/80s however I do not believe period features will help you in most cases

I_have_spoken

London market wants period features in their Victorian houses like Minton tiles in the hallway, but also expect a glass-cube bump-out at the back with ultra-modern kitchen with tarrazzo floors and huge bi-fold doors onto the patio

trailingspouse

The problem is marrying the needs of 21st century living with the 'period' aspects of older houses. Bear in mind that all electric, gas and plumbing has been retro fitted if the house is Edwardian or earlier!!

We have an Edwardian terraced house with some fabulous features, and we've tried to keep our decorations and furniture in-keeping with the house - but we also have all the stuff you need for living a modern life.

I think what adds value (or not) is the quality of the work that you do.

clayton16749

I think it's down to personal taste really. Some people like modern d!cor, some don't. Although from people I speak to, it seems period is very much in demand at the minute.


Personally, it's original period features all the way for me and I'd be willing to pay a premium for it.

peter3hg

Personally I would deduct £20k off my offer for a house with "period" styled interior so I could bring it into the 21st century. Overall though I suspect a well done up house will be worth the same whatever style it has been done in (within reason). The pool of buyers will just differ.