Older homes with well-maintained brickwork are achieving more than £3,000 above their asking price on average and selling faster than those in poorer condition, new research suggests.
The Brick Tile Co. analysed 200 three-bedroom house sales across the UK’s 20 most populous cities, using Zoopla data covering initial asking prices, final sale prices and listing dates.
Each property was categorised by age and the visible condition of its exterior brickwork, allowing researchers to compare the performance of similar-sized homes.
Properties with well-maintained brickwork achieved an average £3,063 above their asking price and spent 5.8 months on the market.
EXTERIOR CONDITION
By comparison, homes with brickwork in poor condition sold for £3,345 below asking on average and took 7.3 months to sell.
Partially restored properties achieved £1,568 below asking price and spent an average 7.2 months on the market.
Homes where the original brickwork had been rendered over took considerably longer to sell at an average 10.2 months and eventually achieved £1,908 below asking.
PERIOD HOMES
The research also finds notable differences between different ages of property.
Post-war homes perform strongest, selling in an average 5.9 months and achieving £1,751 above asking price.
Victorian properties achieve £735 above asking but take eight months to sell, while Edwardian properties sell in 6.4 months and achieve £5,819 below asking on average.
Homes dating from the 1930s achieve £3,715 below asking, while properties categorised as dating from the 1960s to 2000s record an average £3,613 reduction.
Joe Burton (mai picture, inset), Interior Expert at The Brick Tile Co., says: “What’s particularly interesting about this data is that ‘older’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘better’ in the eyes of buyers.
“Post-war homes are outperforming Victorian and Edwardian properties when it comes to speed and price growth, and that’s likely because they offer a more practical layout and greater scope for modernisation, while still carrying that sought-after period feel. It’s a clear signal that buyers are looking more for character with convenience.”
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The findings suggest exterior condition may play a role in both the price buyers are prepared to pay and how quickly a property sells.
Burton says: “For homeowners preparing an older property for sale, the findings suggest visible condition matters. Clean, well-maintained brickwork can make a strong first impression, while damaged mortar, stained façades or poorly painted exteriors can make buyers worry about wider maintenance issues.
“Where possible, homeowners should look at repairing damaged brickwork, refreshing tired mortar, cleaning exterior walls and restoring original façades before choosing to render or paint over them.
“A well-preserved exterior can help a home feel cared for before a buyer even steps inside.”
