Shared Ownership Valuation in Blackpool

Shared ownership homes need valuations that are a little different from an ordinary mortgage check. At the point you bought, you took a share usually between 25% and 75% of the full market value, with a housing association holding the rest. We use a shared ownership valuation when staircasing, selling, or remortgaging, because it sets the current open market value of the property.

Blackpool's housing market has shifted a little recently, with overall prices falling by 2.22% over the past year. That makes a current, accurate valuation especially useful for owners who are planning to staircase or sell. Our valuers keep a close eye on local conditions, from recent price movement to the make-up of the stock, including traditional terraced houses which account for 40.5% of the housing stock and newer schemes in Marton and South Shore.

Local ground conditions matter too. In Blackpool, the clay layers beneath the town, especially the till and Mercia Mudstone, bring a moderate to high shrink-swell risk that can influence foundations and overall structure. We factor that in when we assess value, so the report reflects the local picture properly.

• Staircasing to increase your equity share
• Selling your shared ownership property
• Remortgaging to a different lender
• Renting out your share (subject to approval)

Blackpool has a number of new build schemes with shared ownership available, which makes it appealing for first-time buyers trying to get onto the ladder. The Sycamores in Marton (FY4 4XQ), a Persimmon Homes development off Preston New Road, offers 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes with shared ownership options on select plots. Prices start from around £194,995 for the full market value of a 3-bedroom semi-detached home.

Hawkswood, also by Persimmon Homes in the Marton area (FY4 5PL), offers similar shared ownership choices across 2, 3, and 4-bedroom properties. For buyers after larger detached houses, The Dunes development by Charles Church has 3, 4, and 5-bedroom properties with shared ownership options, with prices starting from £259,995. Taken together, these schemes give buyers a more affordable route into a coastal market while still using the government's shared ownership scheme.

If you already own a shared ownership home in one of these developments, or with another housing association working in Blackpool such as Great Places Housing Group, Onward Homes, Regenda Homes, Sanctuary Housing, or Together Housing, you will need a professional valuation when you plan to staircase or sell. Our valuers know these associations well and understand the paperwork and standards each one expects.

Because so much of Blackpool's housing stock is older, our valuers come across a few defects time and again during inspections. Dampness is especially common in the Victorian and Edwardian terraced properties that dominate the market, with rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation affecting many homes where ventilation or maintenance has slipped. Left untreated, that can drag down value quite sharply.

Roof issues show up often as well. Slipped or worn tiles, defective flashings, and faults with gutters and downpipes can let water in, damaging the structure and internal finishes. We also regularly see timber problems, including wet and dry rot and woodworm, affecting joists, floorboards, and roof timbers, particularly where damp has already taken hold.

The clay ground conditions in Blackpool create another layer of consideration for property valuation. With till and Mercia Mudstone carrying a moderate to high shrink-swell potential, some homes can be exposed to subsidence or heave, especially where there are trees nearby or drainage is poor. Our valuers inspect foundations carefully and look for movement, including cracking in walls that may point to current or past foundation trouble.

Several local factors can influence the value of a shared ownership property in Blackpool. The coastal setting brings both positives and drawbacks. The seaside feel and attractions such as Blackpool Tower and the Pleasure Beach help make the town popular, but coastal flooding and surface water flooding can affect values in some places, especially near the promenade and in low-lying areas. The Environment Agency identifies significant surface water flood risk in urban areas where heavy rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems.

Blackpool's housing stock is mainly Victorian and Edwardian, with terraced houses making up 40.5% of properties and semi-detached homes at 27.2%. These older homes often need more upkeep and may suffer from damp, outdated wiring, or roof defects. Conservation areas, including North Promenade, Claremont Park, Stanley Park, and Layton, also bring specific protections that can limit the changes owners are able to make.

Red brick is the main building material used across Blackpool's terraced and semi-detached housing, and many properties have rendered fronts or pebbledash finishes. Roofs are usually slate or concrete tile. Traditional masonry construction, with solid brick walls or cavity walls, is common, along with timber roof trusses and suspended timber floors in older homes. Our valuers understand these methods and the effect they can have on value.