Swimming pool is top extra for prime listings, research suggests

People buying prime listing in the UK want top notch sport and home leisure facilities with a swimming pool the most popular of such facilities, new research shows.

Overall some 17% of high end estate agents have seen an increase in demand for swimming pools that can add up to 15% to a listing’s sale price, according to the study from Direct Line’s Select Premier Insurance.

In joint second place is tennis courts and home gyms with 9% of agents reporting demand for these kind of facilities, followed by 8% for a home spa, 6% for land, 5% for a home cinema, 4% for stables, and 3% for a luxury kitchen, a wine cellar and secure parking facilities.

But the down side to a swimming pool is that potential buyers either love them or hate them and the upkeep and cost of maintenance can put them off even although they add 15% to the potential sale price.

Designer kitchens can also add up to 15% to the purchase price, while dedicated home gyms and games rooms can add around 5% to the value of a home, the research also shows.

However, some 17% of those surveyed said these sporting and home leisure facilities do not add value to a home, but they do increase its saleability, or attractiveness to potential buyers.

Land was reported as a key selling point by estate agents, who stated customers would often prefer to have the space to build their own chosen facilities. The view from a listing can have huge implications for the sale price, with one estate agent estimating when combined with a good location and road reputation, a beautiful view could double the value of a listing.

According to Nick Brabham, head of Select Premier Insurance, more home owners now want to embrace their favourite pastimes in the comfort of their own listings, including golf greens, squash courts and fully equipped gyms.

‘However, these high end facilities can be costly to install and maintain, so listing owners should ensure they have sufficient cover in their home insurance policies to protect the items they value most,’ he said.

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Source: Property News Spain