Beyond location: what really adds long-term property value?

The housing market is flooded with long-held assumptions and conventional wisdom. "When it comes to resale value, location matters more than anything else". "Prices in London will always outperform the rest of the country". And "the North/South divide means that the further up the country you go, the better deal you’ll get".

However, these simplifications rarely tell the whole story. In fact, a recent MSN report revealed that house prices in the north increased as much as 5% last year, compared to a 1% drop in London and the south east. As demographics change, the market experiences widespread volatility and our entire concept of value continues to evolve, location is just one factor to consider.

Why property value is about more than prices and postcodes

Over the past few years, our collective perception of value has changed, especially when it comes to property. In an ever-more connected world, the impact of physical location has shifted. What was once the ideal home just minutes from the office now feels like an unnecessary expense for a mostly remote worker who only needs to travel a couple of times a week.

Similarly, different life stages affect how we understand and assess value. For a young first-time buyer, sale price is the single biggest barrier to a stunning new home. For older, more affluent groups, there’s a willingness to pay a premium now for higher quality and less maintenance in the future. Research from Check A Trade estimates that home maintenance costs are equivalent to 70% of the average UK mortgage. 

While proximity to local amenities remains key, it’s no longer the single biggest factor for would-be buyers and UK property investors.

What adds value to a home?

In a recent report from Money Week, it was revealed that many of the most common ways to add long-term property value are surprisingly seasonal. In winter, features like wood-burning fireplaces and underfloor heating have the biggest impact. However, come summer, sunny gardens and outdoor space add the most value.

If you’re considering ways to add value, it’s a good idea to focus on the more substantive changes that create property longevity: future-proofing your home for what modern life looks like.

#1 Add smart home features and new technology

Smart home features like automated blinds, intelligent thermostats and app-based controls all promise to make life easier and more seamless. To maximise their impact, these features need to be deeply integrated into your property and considered in its design.

At Brookworth, we equip our homes with the latest smart home functionality, including easy-to-use automation, intuitive touchscreen controls and video doorbells for your peace of mind. 

#2 Get ahead of sustainable housing trends

Whether driven by a sense of responsibility or just a desire to keep household bills down, sustainable features are a powerful way to elevate your entire home – and increase its value. An efficient, future-proofed home with a heat pump is far more appealing than one with a gas boiler, which will likely need to be replaced in the coming years.

At Brookworth, we prioritise energy efficiency at every development. It’s something you’ll see in our high-quality beaded cavity wall insulation, A+++ rated air source heat pumps and underfloor heating to keep you warm while keeping your costs down.

Build quality: a core driver of value

Another important change affecting the UK property market is the increased desire for a new build home, which has increased 21% since 2022. This reflects an emphasis on homes that are ready to move into and make your own, versus older, outdated homes that could require a considerable amount of renovation (at considerable cost and disruption).

More than ever, build quality is a fundamental factor in long-term property value, across two key areas.

Materials and quality craftsmanship

While the construction industry has modernised over the years, it’s traditional craftsmanship that builds lasting value into a home. Steel frames and prefabricated panels might reduce costs, but they also impact quality and feel.

That’s why, across every Brookworth development, we use traditional brick-and-block construction, while also choosing premium locally sourced materials wherever possible. We also take that same focus on quality to our partners for appliances, doors and other fixtures, demanding the very best of everything.

Layout and design

The way the spaces within your home flow together is also a significant contributor to value. Some experts even estimate that going open plan alone can add up to 15%. What’s most important, though, is that your home feels intelligently designed for its size, location and the people who’ll use it.

Our architectural and design teams collaborate to create environments that feel open, welcoming and luxurious. Crucially, we consider adaptability at every stage of our design process, with spacious rooms that are easily personalised to suit your lifestyle.

Brookworth Homes: designed to stand the test of time

From fundamental build quality to the smart home and sustainability features you need today – or will need in the future – Brookworth Homes are designed to deliver enduring value. And this extends to our carefully curated choice of locations.

Beyond the building, our developments are highly desirable places to live, surrounded by sprawling countryside, essential amenities and a community of like-minded people.

You can see this unmatched level of value in a show home at one of our flagship developments, including:

• Newly launched: Conqueror’s Gate, Battle, East Sussex

• Gallica, Sissinghurst, Kent

• Braeburns, Welford-on-Avon, Warwickshire

To find out more about how our homes create lasting value, get in touch with our experienced sales teams.