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Those things that go bump on your house price

A mainline railway or tube station located within two miles of a property can add an average 12% or £20,000 to the average house price, while adjacent derelict housing could knock the same amount off the price, reveals a new survey of 250 estate agents across the country.

And while schools and communication links can bump up house prices, noisy things like aircraft and music venues that go bump in the night can seriously knock prices down.

Through a survey of its own estate agents, haart reveals both the positive and negative effect the top 20 external features, from excellent transport links to rundown homes, can have on national house prices.

Transport links top the table of positive influencers on house prices, with mainline stations adding an average of 12%, over £20,000, to the value of a home, and major road links adding 9%. However, living too near to a railway line or flight path of a descending plane can bring down the price of a house by as much as 5% or 9% respectively.

Also high on people's list of priorities are good schools, open space adding 11% and 9% respectively on to the value of a property. A vibrant social scene also has a significant impact on house prices, adding an average of £10,000.

In contrast, derelict houses are the biggest turn-off for buyers, knocking £20,000 off the price of an average property, with noisy, late licence venues and derelict land following close behind. Nightmare neighbours, such as tearaway kids and ASBO households, can also have a significant negative affect, slashing values by 7%.

Russell Jervis, managing director of haart estate agents, commented: “It is widely known that factors such as good transport links can push property prices up and derelict houses can drag them down, but many homeowners do not realise the extent house prices can be affected.”

“For time-starved commuters proximity to excellent transport links is highly desirable, boosting house prices in the immediate area considerably. But transport routes can also have a detrimental impact on house prices, with proximity to a noisy flight path or a rail line, lopping off up to 15% of the value of your home.”

“Demand is also immense for family homes in catchment areas of good schools. Parents are willing to pay a premium to secure a place in their chosen school. At the other end of the scale, buyers should be very mindful of the impact run-down houses and late licence music venues or takeaways, which top the chart of least desirable factors, can have on property prices.”

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POSITIVE – amenities to be near (within 2 miles)	Average percentage price increase	Added value to average house price* (to the nearest £1000)
Mainline tube / railway station	+12%	+£20,000
Top state school	+11%	+£18,000
Motorway / dual carriageway links	+9%	+£15,000
Open countryside / park	+9%	+£15,000
Vibrant social scene - Restaurant / pubs	+6%	+10,000
Quality food store (Waitrose / M&S)	+4%	+£7,000
High street facilities (e.g. Banks and newsagents)	+3%	+£5,000
Sports club / exercise facilities	+2%	+£3,000
Good NHS hospital	+2%	+£3,000
Cinema / entertainment	+1%	+£2,000

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NEGATIVE - amenities to be near (adjacent)	Average percentage price decrease	Subtracted value from average house price* (to the nearest £1000)
Run-down / derelict houses	-12%	-£20,000
Late licence music venue / takeaway venues	-11%	-£18,000
Derelict land	-9%	-£15,000
Airport flight path	-9%	-£15,000
Waste / refuse station	-8%	-£13,000
Busy road	-8%	-£13,000
Nightmare neighbours	-7%	-£12,000
Poorly-rated comprehensive school	-6%	-£10,000
Railway line	-5%	-£8,000
Mobile phone / telecom masts	-4%	-£7,000
* Based on Hometrack's average national house price in September 2006: £167,900

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