Buying a home is never easy or cheap.
Due to the price of property at the moment it can be hard to get onto the ladder without having to cough up a lot of cash. But, it turns out, there's a simple way you can try and bag a bargain.
People can be so superstitious that they won't snap up a house if it happens to be number 13. Some people just deem the digits too unlucky.
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It's also reported people don't like buying houses that overlook cemeteries, contain a pair of new shoes on the table or that has ladders put up against the wall. Brits simply aren't prepared to risk being spooked simply to find a new home.
Andrew Harwood, of Strutt & Parker, said concern about the number 13 isn't something new when it comes to the property market. It's long been something that a lot of people tend to avoid.
He told DailyMail: "They build houses or flats numbered 12 and 14, missing out 13 completely because they know it will be a struggle to sell."
Andrew admitted to being a little superstitious himself, as he always salutes a magpie if he sees one. He thinks this helps to rid any potential bad luck. But, when it comes to property, it's number 13 that appears to be problematic.
The idea the number is unlucky is embedded in ancient western societies, and it's believed to have derived from various places. One involves the Norse legend of the feast at Valhalla where 12 invited guests were joined by an extra person.
Then the trickster god, Loki, is rumoured to have plotted to murder one of the guests.
Another story goes back as far as Christian tradition as, at the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples formed a group of 13.
As a result, up to 28% of streets in the UK don't have a house with the number 13 on it, as they don't often sell. If they do, they tend to be flogged at a much cheaper price.
On average, they sell for around 2% less than other surrounding houses, and people who reside at number 13s tend to stay at their homes longer than the average homeowner.
According to land-registry figures, 8% fewer of the "unlucky" properties are sold in comparison to the others without the number. As well as this, transactions dip by 43% on any Friday 13 in comparison to other Fridays during the month.
Rupert Sweeting, of Knight Frank, also told the Mail that superstition is usually more common with potential buyers who fall into the 40 to 55 age bracket. Moreover, he said you tend to see it more in women too.
He added: "I think it's because women are more in touch with their inner self. Their radar is more finely tuned."
Nonetheless, he doesn't think we should dismiss people's thoughts either, as a lot can be said for the spooky tales.
He said: "When you look at sportsmen, they're incredibly superstitious. Jockeys put the left shoe on first, then the right, it's a ritual.
"And look at [tennis player] Rafael Nadal, he's extraordinary with his superstitious behaviour — touching his hair, T-shirt and underpants before a match. Why should people buying a house be any different?"
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