Don't be frightened of a skeleton in the closet
Having a few friendly skeletons in the closet can give vendors the winning edge when it comes to selling a home, says leading online estate agent Wooster & Stock. Knowing the history about an individual property or a local area can surprise, excite and attract the right buyer more quickly, as these stories deepen the sense of belonging to and understanding of a home.
“Residents are becoming increasingly aware of the history of their homes,” says Becky Munday, Head of Sales, Wooster & Stock. “Funny anecdotes or knowledge of the property’s former residents or neighbours can be quite intriguing and can really help to secure interested buyers.”
Dr. Nick Barratt, director of the genealogical research company behind the television show Who Do You Think You Are?, agrees. According to Dr. Barratt, housing research is becoming a much more popular line of work, particularly since the recession.
“People are commissioning house histories for commercial reasons. A bit of history and story makes it much easier to sell, it attracts a certain buyer.
“You do feel a sense of belonging, and all this is more poignant for knowing the history,” he adds.
Fiona Picken, 74, is currently selling her beloved four story terraced house on Sutherland Square, SE17, after 32 years there. She comments: “I just love knowing who has enjoyed my lovely home before me and it is amazing what you can find out through historical archives these days. A copy of the 1861 Census revealed that a colonial broker lived in my house with his wife and a 16-year-old maid named Caroline Chillingworth.
“While the digging for tidbits of information can be hard work, the sense of understanding at the end is a just reward. You feel as much a part of the foundations as the bricks and mortar itself.”
But delving into the history of a home is not the only method of attracting the right buyer. Stories about the local area or modern day residents can also intrigue buyers.
Fiona adds: “Not long after we moved into this house, my sister and I were peering down into our charming walled garden and I glanced over the fence into a nearby back garden. Who did we see? One (Sir) Nigel Lawson! He sold his house a few weeks later and moved straight into Number 11 Downing Street!”
While the property has some interesting stories to tell, it is also of practical interest. Becky Munday adds: “The attic space is in itself a fantastic opportunity for a potential buyer. It can easily be developed into a self-contained studio or a large bedroom for a teenager or perhaps a tenant. Plumbing and electrical facilities are already available and due to the permanent staircase leading to the attic, it is much easier to attain planning permission for changes, as the attic is considered part of the house.”
In a square where properties rarely come onto the market – Fiona’s neighbours have lived in their homes for 36 and 29 years respectively – the personal anecdotes that Fiona can pass on to potential buyers really are deal clinchers.
“There is a special feeling about Sutherland Square,” says Fiona. “We have a beautiful green square surrounded by gorgeous Georgian and Victorian terraces and inside, we get so much enjoyment from the multitude of original architectural features, many of which are unaltered to this day. In addition, we are so close to the exciting South Bank with access to the Tate Modern, Borough Market, Globe Theatre and the Shard, which you can see from the bedroom windows and in the other direction, there are the boutiques, restaurants and cafes of vibrant Camberwell and Dulwich.
“This fascinating combination of history and modern life really does keep many of us here in Sutherland Square. We develop a real attachment to, a sense of belonging to and an understanding of our homes, which is so appealing to potential buyers, but it also makes it hard for us to leave the square behind.”
The Sutherland Square terrace is on the market for £845,000. For further information on this and other Wooster & Stock properties, visit woosterstock.co.uk.
