There are so many factors that can make homes unique, from the exterior architecture and interior design to the location, view, and outside space.

Some homes were true originals when they were built, while others have been altered and enlarged beyond recognition, from run-of-the-mill to one-of-a-kind.

Owning a unique home is often a dream come true, but when the time comes to sell, that very uniqueness can pose a real challenge: how do you put a price on something without compare?

We’ve helped many sellers in Fife to sell their unique homes, and in this guide, we’ll show you our process for reaching an accurate valuation, with a detailed look at:

• What makes a home unique?

• Using comparable sales

• Evaluating the market

• Putting a price on uniqueness

• Drawing on local expertise

We hope you’ll enjoy gaining an insight into our approach to valuing unique homes, so you can feel confident that our advice accurately reflects your home’s true worth.

WHAT MAKES A HOME UNIQUE?

It could be argued that every home is unique. Even in a terrace of identical houses, every owner will have done something different inside, but we need to narrow that down beyond decorative taste.

A reliable way of discerning whether a home can be classified as unique is to explore whether it falls into any of the following categories:

• Individually commissioned homes. From famous architects or public figures to homes with a unique story or reason for existing, to personal passion projects and visionary developers.
  
  
• Substantially altered, extended or improved homes that set them apart from the typical market of their once-identical neighbours.
  
  
• Homes with one or more of a unique location, view, collection of outbuildings or amount of land that give it a singular appeal to a very particular buyer.

Ultimately, if there isn’t a directly comparable home to yours in the same neighbourhood, you could feel comfortable in referring to your home as unique.

LOOKING AT COMPARABLE SALES, AND BEYOND

For most valuations, the obvious port of call is to examine recent nearby sales, but price data can be tricky for unique homes.  However, it doesn’t make the numbers entirely irrelevant.

We can treat them as a starting point, then look further afield to identify homes with similar characteristics, even if they’re not direct neighbours. So, we expand our search to include:

• Similar age or architectural style: From medieval to Victorian to contemporary new builds, the construction era and design language offer valuable clues.

• Equivalent size and layout: We consider square footage, number of bedrooms, and the overall flow, looking for homes that offer a similar amount of usable space.

• Comparable quality of finish: Regardless of the age and type of property, specification levels can indicate a likely price point and how bold a valuation can be.

So even if we need to compare sales from various locations, we can start working towards a valuation for unique homes based on the differences in value between areas – it’s a beginning!

EVALUATING THE MARKET

A unique home often sits outside the usual market fluctuations of interest rates and general sentiment, creating its own demand and attracting a specific, motivated buyer.

But that doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind when we’re considering our valuation, and here’s how we maximise the broader market to your advantage:

• Identifying the niche buyer: Not every unique home appeals to everyone, but you only need the right person, so we identify the demographics and desires of your perfect buyer pool.

• Leveraging low inventory: Homes that are both truly unique and for sale are scarce, adding the significant advantage of less direct competition and encouraging competing offers.

• Promoting urgency: We look for ways to sell your home’s uniqueness as a genuine one-time opportunity, with the aim of removing hesitation in buyers and achieving a premium price.

Our goal is to understand not just what the market is doing, but what the market could do for a property as special as yours, positioning it as a coveted property moment that’s not to be missed.

PUTTING A PRICE ON UNIQUENESS

This is where the art meets the science. Unlike typical homes, where a price per square foot might dictate value, the distinctive features of unique homes demand an expanded perspective.

Although average prices per square foot are a useful benchmark that mortgage valuers often refer to, they vary across Scotland, and they don’t take into account unique characteristics like:

• Architectural Significance: Is it a listed building, a standout contemporary design, or does it boast unique historical elements? These factors can seriously enhance your price.

• Exceptional Features: From panoramic views and particularly large or landscaped gardens, to bespoke interior finishes and high-end home technology, we explore every inch for value.

• Lifestyle Appeal: Whether it’s a musician, stockbroker, car enthusiast or horse-riding instructor, who is the best target buyer for your home, and who will pay the most for it?

By delving into what makes your home unique and its potential target market, we ensure that our valuation isn’t just a number, but a reflection of the inherent, one-of-a-kind worth.

DRAWING ON LOCAL EXPERTISE

When it comes to valuing unique homes, an agent’s local knowledge is priceless, so look for someone with a deep understanding of the market and experience in handling one-of-a-kind homes.

Here’s how our expertise translates to an accurate valuation, and the areas we recommend you explore with every agent you speak to.

• Detailed Market Nuance: From years of hands-on experience, we understand which unique features command a price premium, and which have less impact on value.

• A Ready-Made Pool of Buyers: We often have people specifically looking for something out of the ordinary, meaning your unique home reaches the right audience from day one.

• Anticipating Awkward Questions: For any concerns about buying an historic or brand-new home, we know how to proactively and positively address them, without resorting to waffle.

Ultimately, it’s a combination of accumulated know-how, nurturing relationships and old-fashioned intuition that helps us connect that one special buyer with a home as unique as yours.

Ready to uncover your home’s unique value?

Whether you’re thinking of selling or you’re already on the market and are disappointed with the response, we’d love to show you how we can sell your unique home.

For a free, no-strings valuation and a chat about crafting a bespoke and effective strategy, drop us a DM with your contact details to arrange a chat.