Homes numbered 13 are unlucky for sellers but could be a bargain for house hunters

It is considered unlucky by many – but house hunters who are happy to live in a property numbered 13 could get a bargain, analysts have discovered.

Unfortunately, this means sellers could get a raw deal as their homes have the lowest average value compared with other properties numbered one to 100, it has been revealed.

Property website Rightmove analysed valuations of more than 10 million properties in Britain, aptly releasing its findings today, on Friday the 13th.

The data showed homes with the apparently unlucky number were typically valued at £354,793 – £5,333 lower than the average of £360,126.

Homes numbered one were the most sought after – averaging more than £30,000 higher in value at £393,690.

Properties with the so-called lucky number seven typically had an above-average value of £365,590.

Developers now often skip number 13, going straight from number 12 to 14, in a bid to appease superstitious property buyers, according to one estate agent.

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Edward Thomson, director of Strutt & Parker property consultancy in Sloane Street, southwest London, said: “If living at number 13 doesn’t faze you, it is possible you could find yourself buying against a smaller proportion of the market and therefore do a better deal – but only if you’re lucky, of course.”

And it’s not all doom and gloom for owners of number 13 properties, who might find it “adds a unique aspect to their home”, with houses in some areas in shorter supply.

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Rightmove property expert, Tim Bannister, said: “It could even be a conversation starter with the next owner when the time comes to sell.”

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House prices plunged 5.3% in the year to August, according to figures released by Nationwide last month.

The bigger-than-expected drop in value means the average property is now worth £14,600 less than 12 months ago, typically priced at £259,153.

Read more: English homes ‘in worst condition of all European countries’ Which areas in England are worst affected by housing crisis?Squeeze on renters is a symptom of housing crisis

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This could be good news for first-time homebuyers. However, the benefit could be wiped out by higher mortgage rates.

Activity in the housing market is currently below pre-pandemic levels – with recent mortgage approvals 20% below the 2019 average.

The number of homes and flat sales in the UK this year is set to fall to the lowest in a decade, according to data released at the end of August by property website Zoopla.