The UK’s biggest property website Rightmove reveals that homes with the number 13 typically have the lowest property valuations, with an average valuation of £354,793 – more than £5,000 lower than the average across the study of £360,126.
The highest valued house is number one, with a valuation of £393,690, versus £354,793 for number 13, a difference of 11%
The unique study analysed property valuations of over 10 million houses numbered one to 100, with properties numbered 13 typically being valued lowest, suggesting some superstitious buyers are put off owning a home with the traditionally unlucky number.
Homes with the number one typically have the highest valuation at an average of £393,690, nearly £40,000 (11%) higher than homes numbered 13, while homes with the lucky number seven have an average valuation of £365,590, 3% more than homes with the number 13.
There are also almost double the number of houses numbered 14 than 13 across Great Britain, as many streets skip the superstitiously unlucky number.
Non-superstitious buyers may be tempted to seek out homes numbered 13 in their local markets, and potentially bag a relative bargain.
Edward Thomson, director, Strutt & Parker Sloane Street, says, “In Britain the number 13 is famously ‘lucky for some’, although unfortunate for others. It’s common for new developments to skip it, going straight from 12 to 14, to remove the element of superstition. Whilst thankfully it is only a very small minority of buyers that are disaffected in this way, there will always be those who avoid 13, never walk under ladders, and salute every magpie! If living at number 13 doesn’t faze you it is possible you could find yourself buying against a smaller proportion of the market and therefore do a better deal – but only if you’re lucky of course!”
Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property expert says: “The majority of buyers are unlikely to be put off being the owner of a number 13 home, but it’s interesting to see from such a large data set that there does appear to be pockets of Great Britain that are more on the superstitious side. Owners of number 13 properties may find that it adds a unique aspect to their home given there are not as many around, and it could even be a conversation starter with the next owner when the time comes to sell.”