Gnome on the Range
Mood:
Diminutive
Read/Post Comments (0)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2727937a4560,00.html
16 November 2003
By MATTHEW LOWE
The much-maligned garden gnome is now hitting homeowners where it really hurts - in the pocket.
A study in the United Kingdom has revealed that having a garden gnome can knock about $1300 off the value of a house, with modern windows in a period property leading to a potential loss of $27,000 from the sale price.
The research, conducted for the BBC, showed patterned or brightly coloured carpets, boldly coloured walls and dying plants could also devalue a property.
Underwear fluttering on the clothesline, pungent smells, and untidiness were also cited for pushing down prices or even driving potential buyers away.
Hot Property presenter Petra Bagust said when the show had featured two properties with garden gnomes they were cleared away. "They're not a good look. They don't say this is a cool house."
Interior designer Peter Reid said making beds, tidying up, removing personal photographs and garden gnomes helped present a home in a better light.
"Gnomes evoke some kind of nuttiness and if you see one of those outside you think what has been going on in the house and what else might be hidden?"
Harcourts chief executive Bryan Thomson said minor design points could deter buyers or force them to lower any offer, but such features as location and views were of greater importance.
He admitted gnomes, worn carpets, clashing colours, and strong pet and cooking smells in a house could detract from a property's appeal.
"I think often these things can put people off totally, and if they don't, they normally factor in what it will cost to put them right or to make changes before making any offer," Thomson said.
Bayleys senior valuer Garry Lopes said a recent example of "unique or unusual design" was a property on Auckland's North Shore where the toilet walls were covered with tuatua shells.
"At the end of the day it was a home and income deal and it was in the flat part and the guy who bought it said whoever is in the flat has to put up with it
16 November 2003
By MATTHEW LOWE
The much-maligned garden gnome is now hitting homeowners where it really hurts - in the pocket.
A study in the United Kingdom has revealed that having a garden gnome can knock about $1300 off the value of a house, with modern windows in a period property leading to a potential loss of $27,000 from the sale price.
The research, conducted for the BBC, showed patterned or brightly coloured carpets, boldly coloured walls and dying plants could also devalue a property.
Underwear fluttering on the clothesline, pungent smells, and untidiness were also cited for pushing down prices or even driving potential buyers away.
Hot Property presenter Petra Bagust said when the show had featured two properties with garden gnomes they were cleared away. "They're not a good look. They don't say this is a cool house."
Interior designer Peter Reid said making beds, tidying up, removing personal photographs and garden gnomes helped present a home in a better light.
"Gnomes evoke some kind of nuttiness and if you see one of those outside you think what has been going on in the house and what else might be hidden?"
Harcourts chief executive Bryan Thomson said minor design points could deter buyers or force them to lower any offer, but such features as location and views were of greater importance.
He admitted gnomes, worn carpets, clashing colours, and strong pet and cooking smells in a house could detract from a property's appeal.
"I think often these things can put people off totally, and if they don't, they normally factor in what it will cost to put them right or to make changes before making any offer," Thomson said.
Bayleys senior valuer Garry Lopes said a recent example of "unique or unusual design" was a property on Auckland's North Shore where the toilet walls were covered with tuatua shells.
"At the end of the day it was a home and income deal and it was in the flat part and the guy who bought it said whoever is in the flat has to put up with it
Read/Post Comments (0)
Previous Entry :: Next Entry
Back to Top
