There are a number of reasons why you might find yourself selling a property that has planning permission. Sometimes the work proved to be beyond the budget, or you might have decided to move house rather than try to make changes to your old one. You might even apply just to make your property more appealing to buyers. 

However the situation came about, selling a property with approved planning permission has many benefits. Let’s take a closer look.  

Planning permission adds value to properties

A property with planning permission can command up to 10% more than one without it. Here in the desirable South East, you might see quite a lot of value added to your property. In other areas, the amount of value added might be smaller. 

The reason it adds this value is that it saves the buyer having to go through the planning process themselves – the buyer is paying for this advantage. In addition, a property with planning permission could be seen as a larger property. For example, if your house has three bedrooms and planning permission for another one, it is on the cusp of being a four-bedroom house.  

Planning permission offers a completely blank canvas

Buying a house with planning permission is only a step away from buying off-plan. When buyers view a property with planning permission, they can free their imaginations and picture the new rooms however they want. Often, personalising a new house just means putting up pictures, but with planning permission, the potential for a brand new space offers so much more. 

Are the benefits worth it?

While it may be tempting to increase the appeal of your property by applying for planning permission before you put it on the market, it’s not an exact science. Planning permission has its own headaches and you should think carefully before you plunge in. 

It’s important to remember that local authorities charge for planning applications, and you may have to pay a builder or architect to draw up plans for you. If the application is approved, you’ll easily recoup the cost of your application…but it might be rejected, in which case you’ll find yourself out of pocket.  

Also consider whether planning permission is the best way of adding value. For example, if you’re selling a bungalow, its chief advantage might be single-storey living. This means that planning permission for a loft conversion might not appeal to buyers. On the other hand, if it’s the only bungalow in the street that hasn’t yet had a loft conversion, applying for planning permission might be an excellent move. 

Remember, planning permission is not the only advantage buyers look for. Depending on the property and how much you are able to invest in it, a lick of paint and a really good clean might be the best way of giving it the edge. 

Sell property with planning permission in Guildford

Cobbles are highly experienced at helping homeowners sell their Guildford properties. To find out how we can help you, get in touch today on 01483 457 000 – we’d love to hear from you.