Finding your first home in The Heatons - Should you consider price per square foot?

“Dear Estate Agent

My fiancé and I have been actively searching for our first home in the Heatons for the past month. Being first-time buyers, we are new to this process but have genuinely enjoyed attending viewings. Although we haven't come across our dream Heatons home yet, we are staying practical and have identified three potential properties on which we are considering making an offer. While two of these properties require some attention, we believe they have great potential; we have also seen a brand-new home in the Heatons.

Interestingly, we have also noticed that some Heatons properties we are looking at tend to linger on Rightmove and Zoopla for a significant period. We are unsure if this is a common occurrence or if there are specific reasons behind it (like they are too much money).

Given what the newspapers say about the current slower pace of the property market, we are wary of paying more than necessary. However, we are eager to purchase sooner rather than later, as we have grown tired of renting.

A friend of mine, who happens to be a chartered surveyor in Central London, suggested a straightforward method for valuing residential properties. He explained that it involves calculating the area's average cost per square foot and comparing it to the property. 

Surprisingly, all three properties on our shortlist have similar values, and the largest one offers the best price per square foot but is not in the most popular area. The new build property is a little smaller.

Is this a good approach to determining which property provides the best value for our money?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.”

My reply…

“Dear Heatons First-time Buyer

Valuing a Heatons Property by Square Footage: A Comprehensive Perspective.

In your search for the perfect Heatons home, you say you have come across three Heatons properties that have caught your attention. While you have yet to find the one that makes your heart skip a beat, it's important to remember that finding the perfect home is quite rare. 

Compromises are often necessary, but you can still find a property you'll fall in love with. It's worth noting that considering the price per square foot is typically a strategy employed by Heatons investors, whether they are looking for buy-to-let opportunities or properties to develop and sell on. 

While the square footage can be a helpful metric in helping you decide among the Heatons properties on your shortlist, it's crucial not to let it overshadow your personal preference and attachment to a particular home.

I would advise that instead of waiting for your Heatons dream home - a home that might never come on the market, you should focus on Heatons properties that appeal to your practical and emotional needs. 

For first-time buyers, the convenience and low maintenance offered by new builds can be enticing, yet on the other hand, buying a brand-new home comes at a premium (just like buying a car). 

However, if you are willing to put in some effort, a property with potential might be an excellent choice for you. I suggest creating a shortlist of essential factors for your next home, such as which areas of the Heatons you do (and don’t) want to live in, property age, number of bedrooms, local amenities and desirable features like a southerly-facing patio and garden. 

This list can help you determine the most practical option among the Heatons properties you're considering. Once established, you can decide guided by your emotions and rational thinking. Striking a balance between the emotional and practical aspects is vital in making the right choice. 

Also, consider the duration of your stay in your first Heatons home. Most first-time buyers tend to move again within five to six years, so you must consider its future marketability.

Similarly, consider the quality of local primary schools if you plan to start a family, as this will have a massive effect on your child's education and the number of buyers you will attract when you sell.

Now, let's address whether valuing a property based on the price per square foot is reliable.

Determining a Heatons property's value solely on a price-per-square-foot basis is overly simplistic. That technique probably works in Central London, where space is at a premium, yet this is the Heatons where the properties are a lot more diverse. Residential property cannot be commoditised in such a manner, as it involves a combination of science and art. If it were that straightforward, there would be an app on your phone that could instantly provide accurate property valuations and professionals like surveyors and property valuers would become obsolete. 

A home's value encompasses intangible factors such as the feeling you get when you enter, the view from the kitchen window, and even the proximity to your in-laws. These unique qualities make a home more desirable and, therefore, more valuable.

Let me give some examples of £/sq. ft. in the Heatons property market.

The average Heatons home is worth £318/sq. ft.

Yet that is all it is, an average. As Tim O’Reilly, the man who coined the phrase ‘open source’ and ‘Web 2.0’, said, “Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.”

You see, 8 in 10 properties currently for sale in the Heatons have a £/sq. ft of between £246/sq. ft to £367/sq. ft; that is a wide range.

But when we go to the extremes, the gap becomes a chasm. The most expensive property in the Heatons by square footage is a 5-bed detached home on Mauldeth Road in Heaton Moor at £485/sq. ft, whilst the cheapest property in the Heatons by square footage is a 2-bed flat on Manchester Road in Heaton Chapel at £180/sq. ft.

Of course, price per square foot can indicate the value and prevent you from overpaying; it shouldn't be the sole determinant. Prices vary significantly on the same street due to location, local amenities, layout, condition, site orientation, plot aspect, and garden size. Therefore, it should be used as a guide rather than a definitive measure of value.

It's important to remember that owning a property twice the size of your neighbours doesn't automatically mean it's worth double the amount (as seen from the statistics above). There tends to be an upper limit for any property in a particular area, regardless of size.

In conclusion, valuing a Heatons property based solely on the price per square foot can be misleading and fail to capture your next home's unique qualities and emotional attachment. 

By taking a balanced approach, considering both practical aspects and personal connection, you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision that aligns with your needs and aspirations as a first-time buyer.

Kind regards

Julian Wadden Estate Agents, The Heatons