Help to Buy Valuation in Malborough

Thousands of buyers used the Help to Buy equity loan scheme to buy newbuild homes with only a 5% deposit, while the government provided an equity loan of up to 20%, or 40% in London. As the end of the five-year interest-free period gets closer, or if you plan to sell your Malborough home, we will need to carry out a RICS Level 2 valuation through a registered valuer. That valuation sets the open market value of the property, and that figure directly affects how much you need to repay on the equity loan.

In Malborough, our valuers work to the RICS Red Book guidelines, Valuation Global Standards 2022, so the report is compliant with Homes England requirements. We inspect each property carefully, take floor area measurements, photograph the important features, and record the overall condition. The final report states the open market value of the home, which is the figure used to calculate what you need to repay on the equity loan. With prices in Malborough moving sharply since the 2022 peak of £879,504, and now sitting approximately 50% lower, getting that valuation right matters.

Recent months have brought modest growth in Malborough, where homes in this South Devon village still attract premium values because of the setting within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the easy reach of the coast at Hope Cove and Bolt Head. The 2021 census records a population of 1,144, and the village continues to appeal to buyers who want a rural lifestyle without losing access to Kingsbridge and Salcombe. That local premium shows up clearly in prices, especially for detached houses, which average £778,333 in the current market.

Book a Help to Buy valuation with us and you get a team with strong experience across the South Devon market. Our Kingsbridge-based valuers know the differences between Malborough’s period cottages in the Conservation Area and its more modern family housing. We prepare valuation reports that meet Homes England requirements, so you can move ahead with an equity loan redemption or sale with a clear figure in hand.

• RICS Red Book compliant valuation
• Homes England recognised report
• Fixed fee, no hidden costs
• Local Kingsbridge based valuers

Set in the South Hams district of Devon, Malborough is a picturesque village around three miles from the coast at Hope Cove and still close to Salcombe. Buyers looking for a rural base within the South Devon AONB have kept interest steady here. The 2021 census records 1,144 residents across approximately 470 households, up from 971 in 2011, which points to growing demand for this village setting.

Malborough has a designated Conservation Area, first established in 1976 and then extended in 1985 and 1992. That means a number of homes come with historic character considerations that can influence value. Restrictions on alterations and extensions may apply within the Conservation Area, and we reflect that in our valuations. The Malborough Neighbourhood Plan also places emphasis on protecting village character, with future development expected to sit comfortably alongside existing buildings and use traditional design elements.

Terraced houses and detached homes make up much of Malborough’s housing stock. In the 2022 data, terraced properties averaged £264,417, while detached homes reached an average of £778,333. Since the 2022 peak, the village has seen a marked correction, with current prices approximately 50% below that level, so an accurate valuation is important if you are trying to gauge your present market position. Even so, the 8% year-on-year increase suggests the market is settling down.

There is a clear bias towards family-sized homes in Malborough, where 38.6% of properties have two bedrooms and 35.6% have three bedrooms. Period cottages, modern developments and converted buildings all feed into that mix, which is typical of a South Devon village. Household patterns are notable too, with single-person households making up 34.3% of homes and two-person households 36.7%, both above national averages.

Traditional building styles across the wider South Devon AONB, including Malborough, often feature stone, thatch, slate and cob. Lime render and lime wash were commonly used for weather protection, and some farm buildings still retain cob while thatch remains part of the village scene in places. Construction like this can have a bearing on value, particularly for period properties that may need specialist maintenance.

Planning permission is in place for Alston Gate Phase 2 in Malborough, bringing seven affordable properties to the village. That points to ongoing interest in the area, although development is tightly managed because Malborough sits within the South Devon AONB and the aim is to protect its natural beauty and character. The Malborough Neighbourhood Plan backs small-scale affordable housing schemes that fit with the existing village character.

• Terraced properties average £264,417
• Detached properties average £778,333
• 74% of properties have 2-3 bedrooms
• Conservation Area protections apply
• 8% year-on-year price increase