Adding Value to Your Property With a Portico

Experts suggest that you can potentially increase the property’s value by up to 10% by simply enhancing its curb appeal. That means an average UK home valued at £268,349 could increase in sale value by over £25,000 with the addition of a portico.

Toby Marlow, Building & Construction Director at Haddonstone explains that the UK property market has seen a buying frenzy over the last 18 months. But with activity starting to slow down, sellers must look at new ways to add value to their properties, whilst ensuring a quick sale.

Jonathan Rolande of the National Association of Property Buyers offered us an understanding into what buyers are looking for in a property, and how sellers can quickly and simply add value whilst attracting home buyers.

He said: “Buyers sort through the thousands of available properties to buy using four main criteria – area, price, bedrooms and the ‘look’. Only after that comes kitchen style, bathroom, and décor. Sellers don’t have the ability to change areas, will be reluctant to change the price, and adding bedrooms is not usually feasible.

“The ‘look’ of a property, however, can often be quite easily and economically altered by owners looking to sell quickly and for the best price. The front of the home is most likely to feature online and in the agent’s window and it’s this that most buyers will take into account when deciding whether to view.”

One way to drastically alter the look of your property and attract prospective buyers, whilst guaranteeing a healthy return on your investment, is adding a portico.
What is a portico?

A portico is a form of porch; a cast stone covering above your entranceway with supporting decorative columns. Porticos can be narrow or wide, ornate or simple and angular or curved.

A staple element of architectural design, porticos have been implemented in property design since the early Greeks and are a feature often associated with Edwardian and Georgian styled projects.

Although they do not add additional living space like traditional porches, there are still a multitude of value-adding benefits to including a portico in your property design or home renovation project.
The value of curb appeal

A balcony on a brick building

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Bruna Pani from We Buy Any House says “When it comes to selling your property, or deciding a sale price for your home, it’s important to remember that first impressions count. Before prospective buyers have even set foot through your front door, they will more than likely judge what they see on the exterior of your home. Curb appeal is a huge part of preparing your property, as not only is it a great way to entice prospective buyers, but also, it can increase the value of your street.”

You can create an immediate impact on the facade of your home with the visually striking addition of a portico. The welcoming entryway created by a portico allows you to set the tone of your home on arrival, and using lighting and holiday decorations in this space creates the right atmosphere before even opening the front door.

Whether it’s adding to an existing residence or to a new build design, a cast stone portico can be easily incorporated and will transform any doorway into a grand entrance. Adding a portico will significantly enhance the property’s desirability and attractiveness.

Experts suggest you can potentially increase the property’s value by up to 10% by simply enhancing its curb appeal. That means an average UK home valued at £268,349 could increase in sale value by over £25,000 with the addition of a portico.
Functional value

The portico provides a sheltered space for visitors where they can take off muddied shoes and boots before entering the home, stopping mud and debris from being tracked in. This will save you in the short term from excess cleaning and in the long term from having to repair the effects of extensive wear and tear to the entry hall.

Bruna says “​​The discussion of functional value can have a direct impact on not only the sale price of your house but also the amount of interest your property gets on the market. To put it simply, functional value is an optional method of settling or covering property loss. It enables any damaged part of the property to be either repaired or replaced without this impacting the sale price of the home.”

In a crowded real estate market, a portico can accentuate focal selling points and can decrease property loss by lowering the need for future repairs.
Protective value

Porticos are designed with protection in mind, built to protect a property’s entranceway from the elements that cause damage such as warping or cracking. This means that a portico can prevent doors, hardware, trim, and flooring from splintering, rotting, or
fading.