Buy-to-let investors can benefit from 12% price discounts for unmodernised homes

Research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, shows that buy-to-let investors can snap up unmodernised properties for as much as -12.3% below the average market house price, providing a stellar opportunity for strong and relatively fast investment returns.

Benham and Reeves analysed house price data for 36,175 unmodernised properties currently listed for sale on England’s housing market* and found that, on average, they are priced -7.4% below the wider market average.

While the average house price in England currently stands at £373,156, the average for an unmodernised property is -7.4% lower at £345,504 – a cash difference of -£27,651.

Within regional markets, the discounts available for modernised homes grow even bigger.

In the North West of England, the average house price currently sits at £245,065.while the average unmodernised home costs just £215,000, marking a saving of -12.3% or -£30,065.

In the North East an average price of £149,975 for an unmodernised home is -11.2% below the region’s wider average (£168,970), while the West Midlands and South East offer average discounts of -9.1% and -8.1% respectively.

In London, the average unmodernised discount of -7.4% is equivalent to -£59,000 due to the capital’s valuable property market, while Yorkshire & Humber (-5.9%), the South West (-5.8%), East Midlands (-5.7%), and East of England (-5.6%) all provide savings of more than 5%.

Where are the most unmodernised opportunities found?

In the South West region alone there are currently 5,982 unmodernised homes listed for sale, which is equivalent to 16.5% of the national total.

This is followed by the South East (15.6%), East of England (13.4%), North West (12.6%), West Midlands (10.7%), East Midlands (10.4%), Yorkshire & Humber (10.1%), London (9.1%), and the North East (1.6%).

Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented:

“Unmodernised properties can be snapped up at a significant discount compared to the wider market which makes them a cost effective investment for landlords who are looking for accessible ways to start or scale a portfolio.

Given the fact that the Decent Homes Standard is widely expected to soon be relaunched with tighter guidelines, many landlords are regardless going to have to start making wide-ranging improvements and upgrades to their properties. That means this is an ideal time to take advantage of the discount unmodernised properties provide.”

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Rightmove Sends the Enquiry. The Branch That Rings First Books the Viewing

Every branch pays the portal invoice. Rightmove and Zoopla deliver the enquiries, often within seconds of the applicant pressing the button. What happens in the next half hour decides whether that invoice turned into a viewing or into a line in someone else’s diary. The uncomfortable truth, which Rightmove’s own research has pointed to for…
Read More →
Breaking News

Residential projects remain under pressure

Infrastructure keeps UK construction moving through a sluggish spell Residential and non-residential projects remain under pressure, while infrastructure and utilities work give the industry a much-needed lift The value of underlying work starting on-site during the latest three months declined 2% and stood 18% below last year’s levels. Residential construction starts fell 8% against the…
Read More →
Breaking News

Homebuyers hold tight ahead of Autumn Budget

but should they wait to make their move?   The latest research from Yopa has revealed that mortgage market activity has reversed in recent months, with approvals falling at an average monthly rate of 3.9% over the last four months, having previously increased by an average of 1.5% per month over the previous four months, suggesting…
Read More →
Breaking News

House price growth accelerates in Q2

The latest Property Market Index Review by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that the property market continued to build momentum during the second quarter of 2026, with UK house prices increasing by 1.1%, while London recorded a second consecutive quarter of positive growth.   The Benham and Reeves Market Index Review…
Read More →
Breaking News

House prices hold steady despite impact of higher interest rates

House prices were unchanged in September (0.0%), following a -0.3% fall in August The average property price is now £298,441, compared to £298,395 in August Prices were also unchanged annually (0.0%) compared with September last year Northern Ireland continues to lead UK annual growth, at +7.4% Latest first-time buyer prices reveal what a 2.5% deposit…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 5/10/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. Architect-founded KnowYourNest brings property scores into the home search, with a free 1–10 score and full KnowYourNest reports from £9.95 By Author Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR NestLink today launches free NestScore checks and KnowYourNest property intelligence reports for buyers and homeowners across England and Wales.…
Read More →