There are few types of homes that conjure up as many images of classic, quintessential Britain than the rectory.
Often romanticised, these homes were once the beating heart of a village, a grand house inhabited by clergymen and important members of the community.
Once known as vicarages or parsonages, rectories are making a fashionable come back, with many of these properties selling for huge sums across the UK.
With buckets of history, charm, and usually land, rectories are becoming one of the most desired types of properties in the country.
Part of the appeal of rectories is bang for buck, with the standard rectory boasting four reception rooms and a good six or seven bedrooms.
Period properties, they usually have high ceilings, sprawling gardens and can also come with paddocks for rearing horses.
It is these factors that give rectories an average asking price of £1,342,318.
While they are in-demand and can sell for millions, according to research conducted by estate agents Jackson-Stops, rectories are actually good value.
As per Jackson-Stops, rectories cost £261 per square foot, which is lower than the cost of manor houses, farmhouses and cottages.
According to Savills, rectories attract a premium of between 10 and 20 per cent, with average property prices rising by 1.8 per cent in 2016.
This is 1.7 per cent higher than the rise across the property market as a whole, proving the investment potential of these period properties.
In fact, rectories are so popular that they even have their own website, dedicated to the appreciation of these properties.
The website reads: “Established in 2006, The Rectory Society was formed to help further interest in all former and existing rectories, parsonages and other clergy dwellings.”
Rectories currently on the market include a sprawling six bedroom, Grade-II listed home near Sutton.
The property features walled gardens, a coach house, stables, a vicar’s tea room and medieval banquet room – on the market for £1.25 million.
For those in the market of selling rather than buying, one huge turn-off for potential buyers has recently been revealed.
While many things add value to a home, such as a garden, off-road parking and plug sockets, there are things that can actually decrease its value.
New research has revealed that having a downstairs bathroom is a major turn off for potential buyers and can knock £13,000 off the asking price.
The research showed that millions of homeowners are actually shunning properties because they don’t have an upstairs bathroom – instead, having one downstairs.