What is a good rural view worth to a house?

With a name like Rural View you may think that we deal only with properties that have just that: panoramic views of chalk down land or Dorset combes. If only we did! Views are very popular and one’s heart often sinks when, as happens frequently, a prospective buyer lists a good view as their ‘absolute must have’.

Despite the fact that we live in a glorious part of the country with stunning, bucolic scenery many houses simply don’t benefit from such an outlook. We sell many fantastic properties in their own right, they may have lovely gardens and they may be in great locations, but they will not necessarily tick the box of the ‘view-searcher’.

So what is a good view worth to a house? The answer is that it varies wildly. Views come in many guises and some are often affected by blemishes which will make them marginal in terms of gain. One also has to remember that views can change so while South Wilts/North Dorset is largely protected from significant developments, especially in the AONB, smaller builds may still have an impact.

The other obvious is that an elevated view, especially to the south west normally brings the weather with it and you would be unlikely to escape the worst of the winds. This apart, however, there is little substitute for a far reaching view on a hazy summer’s day, or relaxing in your garden to the scene of a spectacular sunset, and this is what the ‘view-searcher’ dreams of.

I have known people pay significant premiums for a good house married to a good view but only because it ticks all the boxes. In general, any increase in value is more a reflection of overall environment, rather than the view itself, but it can be the icing on the cake and it will make the difference for many.