Homes numbered 1 are worth the most and unlucky 13 the least, analysis shows: Where does yours rank?
- Number 1 homes have average values £40k higher than number 13 properties
- One buying agent tells say he thinks house names count for more
Homes numbered 13 have the lowest average value out of every door number from one to a 100, new findings claim.
Deemed unlucky by some, properties with the number 13 on their door have average values of £354,793, which is around £5,000 less than the average of 10million homes analysed numbered one to 100.
By contrast, properties with number one on their front door have the highest average value, coming it at £393,690, which is £40,000, or around 11 per cent more than number 13s, according to Rightmove.
Knock it off: The highest and lowest valuations of property by door number, according to Rightmove
Homes numbered two have the second highest average values, at £386,866, while number three homes reached third place, at £374,654.
Homes numbered in single digits from one to eight performed strongly, there were two surprising additions to the top 10, namely number 76 and 78.
Number 76 homes reached ninth place in the top rankings, with an average property valuation of £363,241, Rightmove said. Meanwhile, number 78 homes came in tenth, with average values of £363,225.
Aside from number 13 homes, properties numbered 23, 27, 73, 57, 21 and 19 also fared poorly in the rankings.
Number 23 homes came in with an average value of £355,702, while number 73 homes reached an average valuation of £355,816.
Edward Thomson, director of Strutt & Parker, Sloane Street, said: ‘In Britain the number 13 is famously ‘lucky for some’, although unfortunate for others.
‘It’s common for new developments to skip it, going straight from 12 to 14, to remove the element of superstition.
‘While thankfully it is only a very small minority of buyers that are disaffected in this way, there will always be those who avoid 13, never walk under ladders, and salute every magpie.
‘If living at number 13 doesn’t faze you it is possible you could find yourself buying against a smaller proportion of the market and therefore do a better deal – but only if you’re lucky of course.’
Top 10 door numbers with highest property valuations
Door number 1 – £393,690
Door number 2 – £386,866
Door number 3 – £374,654
Door number 4 – £373,944
Door number 5 – £370,116
Door number 6 – £367,586
Door number 7 – £365,590
Door number 8 – £363,609
Door number 76 – £363,241
Door number 78 – £363,225
Bottom 10 door numbers with lowest property valuations
Door number 13 – £354,793
Door number 23 – £355,702
Door number 27 – £355,763
Door number 73 – £355,816
Door number 57 – £355,829
Door number 21 – £355,955
Door number 19 – £356,076
Door number 24 – £356,373
Door number 28 – £356,479
Door number 16 – £356,546
According to Rightmove, there are nearly double the number of houses numbered 14 than 13, as many streets skip the superstitiously unlucky number.
Non-superstitious buyers may be tempted to seek out homes numbered 13 in their local markets, and potentially bag a relative bargain, Rightmove added.
Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property expert, said: ‘The majority of buyers are unlikely to be put off being the owner of a number 13 home, but it’s interesting to see from such a large data set that there does appear to be pockets of Britain that are more on the superstitious side.
‘Owners of number 13 properties may find that it adds a unique aspect to their home given there are not as many around, and it could even be a conversation starter with the next owner when the time comes to sell.’
One buying agent told This is Money he believes house names, rather than a number, can add value to a home.
Speaking to This is Money, buying agent Henry Pryor, said: ‘I’ve bought and sold homes for 40 years and never come across this superstition. It’s hard to imagine that in the crazy market anyone would take a reduction just because of the number.
‘House names do add value. Numbers are impersonal and commercial but a name is warmer and therefore more aspirational and so more valuable.
‘We do get Chinese buyers who will avoid certain door numbers. The number 4 is often less desirable but there is usually someone else keen to pick it up if they can.
‘Unlucky 13? Not in my experience.’
Aside from a door number, a host of factors can, to an even greater extent, affect the value of a home, including location, proximity to good schools, transport connections and a south-facing garden.
Separate findings from Halifax this week highlighted the current priorities of prospective first-time buyers when searching for a home.
Over half of first-time buyers told Halifax that the price of a property was one of their top priorities when searching for a home.
Being close to family and friends and taking note of local crime rates in the area also featured high up in the list of considerations, as did whether or not an area has a strong community feel.
Potential places to work, green spaces and proximity to a city also made it into the top 10 things being considered by first-time buyers, Halifax said, adding that many first-time buyers were willing to search further afield to get on the property ladder.
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