Energy performance key to the best price for your home

ENERGY PERFORMANCE KEY TO GETTING THE BEST PRICE FOR HOME

“It means that more than ever before it is worthwhile upgrading energy efficiency as it could proive lucrative when reselling. As members of the Guild of Property Professionals we have access to all the latest statistics, and we take these into account when someone asks for a valuation.

“Of course, location and style of the house are key with many North Somerset villages fetching a premium but increasingly the Energy Performance Certificate is a factor that is impacting on value. We believe it will grow even more in importance in time as more and more houses achieve the higher ratings. “In North Somerset now the average house price is £307,733 but stock levels are low and there is not much to choose from if you are looking for any particular house type.” Mr Simmonds says that home owners should consider looking at ways to improve their EPC rating if they are looking to sell in the next year. The energy efficiency of a house is now a major factor in how much it will fetch when it is put up for sale, say experts at Parker’s Estate Agents in North Somerset.

How well insulated and energy efficient a home is could make a difference of 13% in the price it fetches in the North Somerset area.

Media reports of the COP26 summit have focussed people’s attention on the environment and energy efficiency of homes and now 75% of homeowners say the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is important or very important when they are searching for a property. Although 90% of new build properties now boast the highest A or B rating only one in 14 resale properties reach that grade. Andrew Simmonds, director at Parker’s Estate Agents in Backwell, said: “With the average house in North Somerset seeing a 12.4 per cent increase in value in the last year it means that those with a low D rating will be valued at last year’s prices.