Are Art Deco houses still desirable?

[SerenityNOT]

We have a fab Art Deco/Modernist house but need to move before I fall asleep at the wheel and crash the car on the school run (DD is schooled 15 miles away - don't ask!)
An acquaintance (estate agent) has given me a very rough valuation lower than I think it's worth as he's only ever seen the hall, kitchen and sun room...and I think he might want it for his own portfolio of rentals.

It's a really cool Deco house with original features - but is the style still popular enough to add value?

[Monty27]

Yes!

[LulaPalooza]

If it's in Bath would you please be so kind as to wait until I win the lottery before you sell?! I have always wanted an AD house and there's one in Bath which I really, really want.

As for your original question... I'm sorry, I don't have an answer.

[Viviennemary]

I'd get in at least two other estate agents for a valuation. How could somebody give a valuation when they hadn't seen the whole house. This is quite strange even if it was a friend. I would imagine the style is still popular. But people just do their own decoration. That's what I've been told.

[SerenityNOT]

Viviennemary, I think you may have made the same mistake as an office junior in an agency's some years ago - there is a distinct difference between decor and Art Deco . Art Deco is 'between the wars' 20th century architectural style that developed to counter the highly decorated and heavy Victorian/Edwardian style. Decor is paint, paper and some nice curtains! With the best will in the world you cannot paint a flat roof onto a house

Sorry LulaPalooza, it's in NW London

[SingingSands]

First of all:

There are a couple of Art Deco houses for sale near where I live (north Leeds) and they do go for the slightly higher than the surrounding "normal" houses. They are quite desirable and don't come up very often. There is a huge one opposite the DCs school that is currently being renovated, I am hoping it goes on the market soon so I can have a proper nosy!

We had 2 pairs of art deco semi's across the road from us - a few years ago, one of the pair put a roof on. I still prefer the original flat roofed style.

I wouldn't go with a valuation from a friend. I'd get the professionals in!

[kensingtonkat]

I've just had a valuation on my flat in West Ken/Hammersmith which I rent out. It is 1860 with 4m high ceilings and immaculate, and 5 mins away from the tube. It's been valued at £450k which is a full £100k less than I was expecting.

Get some other agents in to value but don't be surprised at low valuations in London. The market isn't what it was according to my agent, even if Rightmove asking prices are increasing.

[crazyhead]

Does it have scarcity value in your area? Just saw one advertised in Crouch End as 'art deco style' (I dunno if 'style' implies it isn't genuine) which I'd say is a touch above the price of comparable 30s houses for size and condition and about the same as Victorian.

[badmumalert]

I love Art Deco architecture but my husband wouldn't contemplate viewing such a house - I think people either love or hate it.

[Viviennemary]

I thought she meant the interior of the house was decorated in Art deco style not that the building was art deco. Oops.

[pchip]

I second getting further evaluations. We had 4 agents- 2 small local, 2 larger and/or national. Local agents' valuations were 25% lower. We went a larger agency and sold for 97% of asking price (even after negotiating off more for issues in survey). Initially thought difference was because our property was hard to price/ compare with other and larger agencies were being cocky to rope us in. Later EA told us the smaller places can't afford to keep you on their books for long so they price it at what they are sure will move within two weeks. (This is trendy-adjacent east London).

Definitely get lots of evaluations. I suggest looking for similar sold art deco properties and contact that agency.

[HanSolo]

I think Art Deco is still very desirable, for a certain market. A lot of buyers don't have the £££ to be fussy atm.

[1605]

Is it really Art Deco, or do you mean pre-war?

If it's the former, you need a very good agent with local knowledge who can talk up the period features.

If it's pre-war, your house will inevitably be cheaper than a Victorian of identical size all other things (location, schools etc) being equal. Supply and demand.

[SerenityNOT]

Defo Deco...flat roof with views for miles, proper Crittall windows, crisp white render...the lot. We even had the landscaping done to match - front and back

[MissPerception]

Viviennemary, I think you may have made the same mistake as an office junior in an agency's some years ago - there is a distinct difference between decor and Art Deco Did you really mean that to sound so snippy and condescending??

[Lexilicious]

Serenity, another from me!

Have a look at The Modern House

And go with a specialist estate agent.

[Lexilicious]

ps, on that site, the Hastings house on p13 of the sales list and the Bexhill on Sea flat on p14 are probably worth a look for your comparisons.

[lalalonglegs]

Sounds lovely - we had a Modernist house and I have to say that some people were put off by its flat roof. If your house isn't standard construction (ours was poured concrete, for example) that can lead to problems getting a mortgage. But enough people love that period to add a premium.

BTW: the Modern House just works with a local estate agency and, imo, seem to demand a very high commission for basically sticking your details on their website.

[SerenityNOT]

MissPerception - no, not at all, hence the as I hate pointing out other people's mistakes/misunderstandings...unless its someone who's job it is to know, like an estate agent

[kensingtonkat]

Could you get yourself onto some design blogs or in a magazine? This would help you to market your house to the right people. I'm sure the urban hipsters in Shoreditch or Hoxton would love your house.

If you aren't an enthusiast for a particular period, it's hard to imagine your own jumble of artwork and furniture, and tastes, working in a building with a very definitive style of its own.

Would also second getting lots of valuations.