Wednesday 6 February 2013

What’s in a Name ?

Can the name of a house affect its saleability, can it make a property less or more appetising by changing what it’s called? In this blog we take a preamble around house names and how names came to pass.

Evidence suggests that the right one can make the property more saleable and in some cases, although debateable, add value or create enticement to look at a property.
So where did house naming begin?
House naming is an old British custom that started with the gentry naming their manors, halls and castles.
As this custom spread everyday people began naming their homes as well. The house name was traditionally based on who the house was tied to. For example The Lord of Huntingdon Manor would have several properties tied to their estate and you could expect to find:
  • Huntingdon Lodge,
  • Huntingdon Cottages,
  • The Dairy,
  • The Forge.
They would all be within walking distance of the Manor House.
Tradesmen also began to name their properties, Mill House, Wool Hall. As it began to be the norm to name your property other property owners followed naming their house after distinguishing features within the boundaries of their property such as:
  • Oak Cottage
  • The Pines
  • Meadow View
Today we name our homes from all different kinds of avenues many of the traditional name usage mentioned above are still front runners or can come from the previous usage of the building, such as The Rectory or The Old School House.
More modern approaches to house names emanate from special holiday places or features of the property such as:
  • Vermont, or
  • Two Chimneys. 
Another favourite is animals seen around the property such as:
  • Badgers Cottage
  • Fox Hollow.
All Change
IN 1765 an act of Parliament decreed all new properties as well as a name must have a house number and street name to improve identification of properties and boundaries.
Since this date every house built in a town and city has a designated number followed by the name of the road it is located in.
So today we can still have a house name but it must be included in the address with the house number and street name.
You can change your house name when you want except if your address does not have a house number and street name. In this instance you have to write and request permission from the local council and the Royal Mail and it is not always a given that they will approve the name change.
Does a house name influence us in the selling process?
Research suggests yes, for example house names with the word Manor in are popular names that reflect an attractive location such as The Willows or The Green and are receptive to potential buyers.
Trends also change and the floods of recent years have made names such as Riverside Cottage less attractive.
Most popular are still those based on historical uses such as The Old Rectory, Rose Cottage.  House names too personal can also detract buyers, for example adding both your first names together such as Dalentrace.   
For the latest in sales and lettings take a look at our website www.davidjordan.co.uk
And finally
Carpe Diem – Seize the day
David Jordan Estate Agents aspire always to deliver to you a cutting edge service offering:
D elivery of a personal and professional service at all times.
A comprehensive service to buyers and sellers alike.
V ast local knowledge of the area.
I nnovative marketing strategies.
D ynamic communicators.
J uggle on your behalf with sometimes difficult solicitors, surveyors or other professional bodies.
O n the pulse of local market conditions.
R egular contact with you keeping you informed.
D avid Jordans professionally trained and friendly team.
A lways to listen to our customers.
N avigate you through the move process beginning to end, your move is our move.
The time is now David Jordan Estate Agents is here to make it a clean run whether buying selling or letting.
T: 01323 898414

No comments:

Post a Comment