Using data collected from a recent poll conducted on its behalf, Ocean Finance has compiled a list of the most unusual buyer turn-offs when viewing a property. Top of the list is the property being located within close proximity to the scene of a serious crime (30%). However, this might be a sensible thing to be put off by, as a high number of reported crimes in an area could push up the buyer’s insurance premiums should they move there.
A more unusual turn-off comes next on the list. Nearly a third (30%) of respondents admitted they would be put off from purchasing a flat or house if they learnt someone had recently died in it. Similarly ghoulish is the third-most offputting factor on the list – the address being in close proximity to a graveyard (23%).
In total, nearly two-thirds (60%) of respondents pointed to one of the above reasons as being enough to put them off purchasing a property they had viewed. However, not all buyers’ superstitions have negative consequences.
More than a quarter (26%) of respondents said that when they last went to view a house or apartment they experienced an ‘aura’. Of these, three-quarters (77%) claimed the aura had been positive, and just one in four (23%) said it had been negative.
Asked how this feeling had influenced them, more than half (58%) of respondents who had felt an aura admitted that it led them to live at the property. Meanwhile, one in five (20%) revealed it had influenced them not to live there.
Others who felt an aura took a more practical approach to dealing with it. Nearly one in 10 (8.5%) revealed they made the decision to live there but to redecorate their home. Meanwhile, 3.2% said they changed the property in some other way because of the influence of an aura.
Ian Williams, spokesman for Ocean Finance, says:
“This survey shows it’s not just size, price and proximity to work, schools and transport links that influence buyers. Many people have been led by superstitions and feelings too.
“However, not wanting to live somewhere close to where a serious crime has been recorded might be sensible rather than superstitions. If they are worried, buyers can check the UK crime map to see what crimes have been reported in recent months near to the house they’re interested in buying.”
