I’m a property expert – these are the five property types which give you the best chance of cashing in when you come to sell

Staging a house image

A new report released last week revealed homeowners who sold a detached property last year made, on average, almost £140,000 compared to the original price paid.

The analysis of figures by Zoopla, which covered England and Wales, found those selling bungalows made £102,000. While homeowners selling semi-detached houses last year made a gain of £81,000 on average.

Sellers of terraced properties made £65,000 and those selling flats got around £30,000 more than they had paid for the property.

The data shows that large sums can still be generated when you come to sell a property.

But as the housing market becomes increasingly competitive, which properties are likely to give you the most bang for your buck?
Here, property expert Jonathan Rolande, the founder of House Buy Fast, and spokesman for the National Association of Property, picks his top-five.

 

Bungalows. Long overlooked by younger buyers, demand for the humble bungalow has seen a resurgence recently and it shows no sign of stopping. Why? Bungalows are common in quieter areas on flat ground which are also ideal for families. Fewer have been built

in recent years so bungalows usually benefit from garages and gardens that are more generous than you’d find in a more modern home thanks to the ever-shrinking supply of land to build on. The most popular style of bungalow is one that has been well maintained

but has become dated. Improvement works can be made gradually, as finances and time allows. Unutilised attics can be converted into bedrooms and bathrooms and larger gardens offer better work from home space. The quieter locations are popular with buyers looking to lose the stresses of an urban location.

 

Converted garden flats. As prices rise, buyers pay more. But, eventually, they reach their financial limit. For those priced out of a house or bungalow, a garden flat is a popular alternative. A large Victorian or Edwardian ground-floor flat will have high ceilings, large windows and spacious rooms – things unattainable for many house hunters. Buyers should be wary of sound proofing issues and short leases as many were converted a long time ago but the right flat will have space and character at a relatively affordable price.

 

 

Houses with side gardens. Often thought to be more of a nuisance than a benefit – all the work to maintain but no privacy. But in recent years more and more have been able to maximise their potential by obtaining planning permission to extend or even build

a new home. Permission is in no way guaranteed but with land becoming ever more scarce, rules and regulations are increasingly likely to be relaxed as planners are forced to agree to more building. Savvy buyers have already spotted the potential.

 

Homes near transport. As the work from home craze reduces, more and more people are returning to the office – whether voluntarily or not! Urban property close to tube stations and bus routes has seen a spike in demand from young buyers looking to escape the

rental trap and return to the office.

 

High end homes. Quality sells. Always has. And always will. The super prime property market (£10m+)  has barely noticed the recent blip in prices, high flying buyers and foreign investors have seen to that. But those of us on a more modest budget can take note

  1.   too. Buying ‘the worst home in the best area’ is an old adage but is still true today. With time and money, any home can be transformed, but the location will not change and that will always cap its potential price.