Help to Buy Valuation in Blisland

A Help to Buy valuation is specifically required when you want to repay your equity loan, staircase (buy back a portion of your share), remortgage, or sell your property. Homes England, the government body that administers the Help to Buy scheme, requires this valuation to be carried out by a RICS-registered surveyor using Red Book standards. The valuation determines the current market value, which is used to calculate exactly how much you owe on your equity loan.

In Blisland, where the property market has shown strong growth with prices 46% higher than a decade ago in some postcode areas, getting an accurate valuation is crucial. Properties in the PL30 4QL postcode area have seen prices rise to around £731,000, meaning the equity loan amount can be substantial. Our RICS-registered surveyors understand the local Blisland market, including the premium that historic granite cottages and properties within the conservation area can command.

The valuation report must be addressed to Homes England and include at least three comparable property sales from within a two-mile radius of your Blisland property. These comparables must be like-for-like in terms of property type, size, age, and construction method. Given Blisland's unique character with its 16th and 17th century granite buildings and 94 listed structures, our local surveyors have the expertise to assess your property accurately. The historical china clay mining activity east of the village and around Temple, which diminished by the 1950s, may also be a consideration for ground stability in certain areas.

Our surveyors will consider all aspects of your Blisland property when conducting the valuation, including its location relative to local attractions such as Lanhydrock House and Gardens, the Camel Trail, and Bodmin Jail, all of which can influence property values in this area.

• Repaying your equity loan in full
• Staircasing (buying back a portion of the equity)
• Remortgaging to a new lender
• Selling your Blisland property

When you repay your Help to Buy equity loan in Blisland, the amount you pay is calculated as a percentage of the current market value of your property, not the original purchase price. For example, if you bought your Blisland home for £350,000 with a 20% equity loan (£70,000), but the property is now worth £500,000, your repayment would be £100,000 (20% of the current value). This is why an accurate RICS valuation is so important.

The Blisland property market has shown significant growth, with prices in the PL30 4JF postcode area increasing by 46.2% over the past decade and 24% over the last five years. Some properties in the PL30 4QL area have achieved values exceeding £730,000. While the PL30 4JF and PL30 4LB postcodes saw slight decreases of 0.6% in the past year, they remain substantially higher than five years ago. These rising values mean that while your property has likely increased in worth, your equity loan repayment will also be higher than initially expected.

Our surveyors understand these local market dynamics and will provide a fair, accurate valuation based on current market conditions in Blisland and the surrounding Bodmin area. They will consider factors specific to your property, such as whether it is a historic granite cottage in the conservation area, a modern detached house on a private estate, or a property with views over Bodmin Moor. Properties in the conservation area around the village green, particularly those with unspoilt rural views, may command a premium in the current market.

It is worth noting that the Blisland Neighbourhood Development Plan 2021-2035 seeks to facilitate approximately 8 dwellings through allowing space for new housing within a redefined development boundary. This limited new build supply, combined with the village's rural character and the high demand for properties in this area, contributes to the strong property values that have been maintained despite some recent minor fluctuations.

Blisland presents a distinctive property landscape that our surveyors take into account when conducting Help to Buy valuations. The village is home to 94 listed buildings and structures, including the Grade I listed Church of St Protus and St Hyacinth and four Grade II* buildings such as Mansion House and Lavethan Manor. Properties in the conservation area, particularly those around the village green, may have additional considerations that affect their market value.

The predominant building material in Blisland is granite, with historic walls constructed from rubblestone granite featuring distinctive quoins and lintels. Some properties like Pope's Cottage and the Blisland Inn are built from more expensive ashlar granite blocks. Many older properties incorporate massive boulders in their lower courses, while some have rendered or painted walls. This variety in construction can significantly affect property values and our surveyors understand these local distinctions.

The age of Blisland's housing stock also varies considerably. Many properties around the village green date from the 16th and 17th centuries, while modern infill development and residential estates were built during the 1980s and more recently. A former garage site has recently been redeveloped with large detached houses. This mix of historic and modern properties means every Help to Buy valuation requires careful individual assessment.

When valuing older granite properties in Blisland, our surveyors consider potential defects common to historic buildings, including damp issues arising from older construction methods, timber defects such as rot or woodworm in structural elements, and problems with historic roofing materials. The condition of rainwater goods and any signs of cracking or movement related to foundation issues are also carefully assessed. Properties in areas with historical china clay mining activity to the east of the village may require additional consideration for ground stability.