Summer Vibes: What Buyers Will Pay More For When The Heat Is On

Looking for property features that add value in summer?

Sunny gardens to cool pools: some property features can add thousands to a home’s price tag in the summer as buyers will be willing to pay more for them when it’s hot outside.

• Homes with outdoor features like a south-facing garden, entertainment area and hot tub can fetch up to £20,000 more during the summer

• Meanwhile homes with with features such as a wood-burning fireplace, underfloor heating or an AGA-style range cooker can achieve a premium in winter

• Homeowners admit they were swayed to pay extra for certain features in their home due to the time of year they purchased

• The wintry cottage from ‘The Holiday’ would be worth nearly £30,000 more in winter

• Marketing a home to play to its seasonal strengths when the optimal season is around can help emphasise the benefits of its features and therefore gain a higher asking price.

Understanding how seasonal features can affect house prices could be worth tens of thousands in your next move.

Seasonal spend? The price of a home changes at different times of the year based on its features.

In fact, nearly half of us (47%) admit we’ve paid more for a home because of seasonal features. On average, that extra seasonal spend can add up to £27,000.

Why? Because when we’re viewing houses in the summer, we’re picturing garden parties and poolside relaxation. In the winter, it’s all about cosy evenings by the fire. It’s human nature to fall for a home when its best features are showcased in optimal conditions.

So how much is a south-facing garden or swimming pool worth in the summer? What does a log-burner add to the asking price in the winter?

In a survey of a hundred agents, looking at the value added to the average 3-bed home worth £324,000.

Which property features that add value in the summer?

When the sun’s out, these features are not just nice to have – they’re deal-breakers for buyers and money-makers for sellers.

If a home boasts a mix of these summer features, you could be looking at an extra £22,000+ in the summer months.

1. Swimming pool: £5,897 added value

A swimming pool can splash an average of 1.82% onto a home’s asking price, which works out to an additional £5,897 for the typical 3-bed home.

If a pool is on your wishlist, it’s worth looking for a house that’s already got one. Installation can start from £2,500 for a basic above-ground model but it can run well into six figures for larger and more complex builds.

Don’t forget to factor in the running costs of heating, cleaning and maintaining the pool as well.

2. South-facing or sunny garden: £5,832 added value

A sunny south-facing garden can add an average of 1.8% to a home’s value in summer. For the average 3-bed house, that works out to £5,832.

It’s a deal-breaker for buyers because you can’t change the position of the house. A south-facing garden will always be a selling point, and selling in the summer shows it off to its full potential.

3. Outdoor entertainment area: £5,378 added value

Think built-in barbecues, fire pits and pizza ovens: spaces for al-fresco entertaining can add around 1.66% to a home’s asking price during the summer.

With a new patio alone costing thousands and outdoor kitchens starting from about £8,000, it’s no wonder buyers are looking for houses with ready-made outdoor spaces.

4. Air conditioning: £4,925 added value

Forget the fan and handle these summer heatwaves with ease when you have air conditioning. Homes with AC can see a breezy 1.52% uplift in asking price when the temperatures rise.

AC is surprisingly tricky to install in your home, with sophisticated systems that need both electrical work and plumbing. The cost and complexity of installing AC makes it a particularly attractive feature to house-hunters in the summer.

5. Balcony: £4,018 added value

A balcony is a great bonus for any home, but especially in urban areas where outdoor space is harder to come by. A balcony can add 1.24% of value in summer, or £4,018 for the average home.

Fitting a balcony isn’t always easy or cheap either, as many homes don’t have the space or set-up to add one in. It makes balconies a unique selling point for those who are lucky enough to have one.

6. Hot tub: £2,819 added value

Dreaming of relaxing in the hot tub after a long day? You’re not the only one – and that’s why our estate agents reckon hot tubs can add £2,819 or 0.87% to a home’s value in the summer.

For buyers, the cost of installation can mean it’s worth hunting down a house that’s already got a hot tub. Prices vary widely, from £3,000 for inflatable models to £20,000+ for high-end permanent installations, plus running costs.