Houses worth a fifth more near water, says estate agency

An estate agency has said that homes close to rivers in the south of England are worth about 20 per cent more than similar homes elsewhere.

Hamptons International said properties on the banks of the Thames in towns such as Marlow, Windsor and Henley attracted the premium because of the ambience provided by such settings

Ian Westerling, regional sales director for Hamptons International in the Thames and Chilterns Region, said: "Water views are an aesthetic characteristic and provide a pocket of tranquility and peace - away from the hustle and bustle of city living."

He added that this also applied to homes near other watery environments such as lakes, streams and canals.

People considering the self build of their own home may wish to seek a site near to water for this reason.

The potential increase in property values from being close to water is one of the arguments used by the Stockport and Manchester Canal Society to argue for the restoration of the waterway, which was filled in during the 1970s.


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