Extra features boost house prices

Homeowners with off-street parking can save

House hunters are willing to pay tens of thousands of pounds extra for homes with special features, according to new research from Bradford & Bingley Estate Agents.

Garages and car parking spaces are homebuyers' most sought after extra. In London, houses with garages can fetch an extra £50,000.

In other major British cities, off-street parking can add up to £20,000 to the value of a house, falling to £10,000 in villages.

Outside space is also important for potential house buyers, with gardens boosting house prices by about £20,000.

For homebuyers with young children, proximity to good local schools came high on the list of priorities. House-hunting families were willing to pay a premium of 10% for homes in the right school catchment area.

Homebuyer 'Must haves'

1 Parking space

2 Garden

3 Good local school

Bradford & Bingley

Good links to public transport were the fourth most sought-after feature among potential buyers, while having a dining room in which to entertain visitors, came fifth. Each of these features could add up to £20,000 to the value of a home.

"Our research does show that if you are fortunate enough to have at least one of the priorities on a buyer's wish list, you may be able to ask a premium for your home," said Gary Verity of Bradford & Bingley Estate Agents.