The latest property market analysis by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has estimated that almost 400,000 UK property transactions have been down-valued in the last year alone.
Benham and Reeves analysed property market transactions over the last 12 months to reveal how many homes are being down-valued based on a devaluation report by Bankrate.
How many homes are being down valued?
The research shows that across the UK, an estimated 390,285 homes have been down-valued by surveyors working on behalf of mortgage lenders, who believe the price agreed by both buyer and seller was too high.
The South East is the region to have seen the most transactions hit by a down valuation. Of the 137,107 homes sold in the last 12 months, an estimated 60,327 are thought to have been down valued.
The North West has also seen some of the highest levels of value adjustments during the selling process, with 54,043 of the 96,506 homes sold in the last year being down valued.
At 59%, London is home to some of the largest levels of down valued homes of all UK areas and it also ranks third in terms of the sheer volume of transactions impacted. Benham and Reeves estimate that 47,769 of the 80,965 homes sold across the capital in the last year would have been subject to a down valuation.
While half of all transactions in Northern Ireland are down valued, a lower level of homes sold means that a total of 12,346 transactions have been impacted in the last year – the lowest of all UK areas.
What’s the cost of a down valuation?
It’s also estimated that the average property across the UK will take a hit of between £5,000 and £10,000 as a result of a down valuation.
A mid-range drop of ÂŁ7,500 would see the average UK property down valued by -2.8%.
Properties in the North East would see the largest decline at -5%, along with Northern Ireland at -4.9% and -4.3% in Scotland.
In London where house prices are at their highest, this valuation adjustment would result in a drop of just -1.5%.
Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented:
“Down valuations can be a real thorn in the side of those eager to progress with a property transaction but unfortunately they are a prevalent occurrence within the UK property market.
They often occur due to over expectant sellers setting their asking price too high but we’re also seeing more lenders request a greater degree of caution by valuers in a market where prices are climbing at a rate of knots.
As a seller, you can look for a new buyer purchasing through a different lender and hope they agree on the value of your home. Or you can hold tight until values increase at the risk of losing your buyer or simply accept the lower value placed on your home.
As a buyer, you can also negotiate with the seller or lower your offer, or you can get the property valued by a different surveyor and lender. Otherwise, you face getting a loan to cover the shortfall or bumping up your deposit to cover the cost.”
% of down valued properties applied to transactions in the last 12 months
Location
AveHP – June 2021
House price after est down value cost of ÂŁ7,500
Est down value cost %
North East
ÂŁ149,521
ÂŁ142,021
-5.0%
Northern Ireland
ÂŁ153,449
ÂŁ145,949
-4.9%
Scotland
ÂŁ173,961
ÂŁ166,461
-4.3%
Yorkshire and the Humber
ÂŁ194,518
ÂŁ187,018
-3.9%
Wales
ÂŁ195,291
ÂŁ187,791
-3.8%
North West
ÂŁ200,222
ÂŁ192,722
-3.7%
East Midlands
ÂŁ226,846
ÂŁ219,346
-3.3%
West Midlands region
ÂŁ231,429
ÂŁ223,929
-3.2%
South West
ÂŁ294,906
ÂŁ287,406
-2.5%
East of England
ÂŁ327,017
ÂŁ319,517
-2.3%
South East
ÂŁ355,948
ÂŁ348,448
-2.1%
London
ÂŁ510,299
ÂŁ502,799
-1.5%
England
ÂŁ284,029
ÂŁ276,529
-2.6%
United Kingdom
ÂŁ265,668
ÂŁ258,168
-2.8%
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About the Author
Established in 1958, Benham and Reeves is one of London’s oldest, independently owned property lettings and sales agents. With specialism in residential sales, corporate lettings and property management in prime areas of London, the company operates from 21 prominently located branches and 14 international offices.