BRITISH homeowners could add more than £5,000 to the value of their houses by simply lifting the carpets, stripping the stairs or sanding down the doors, according to research published by ICI Woodcare.

The research, entitled The Wood Report2, questioned 500 estate agents nationwide to investigate the attributes to wood in the home and its influence on the housing market.

The study revealed that making the most of wooden features increase property value. Of those questioned, almost two thirds said it was easier to sell homes with timber features and two thirds stated that a house with natural wood features would definitely attract a higher price.

One third of the estate agents claimed that wooden features add at least five per cent to the value of the property.

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KENT builders Chapelwood Homes is developing an individually designed four-bedroom home in Wilmington. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Maple House includes a living room, dining room, study, kitchen, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (master with en-suite) and a family bathroom.

There are various leisure centres, including Dartford Golf Club, in and around the Wilmington area.

The agent is RPC Land and New Homes (01322 228891).

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THE Tunbridge Wells office of Knight Frank has been strengthened by the arrival of Tim Oatley.

He rejoins the company, having left in the late 1980s to join a local agent, where he was instrumental in the set-up and running of its country house department. He has always lived and worked in and around West Kent and now lives in Tunbridge Wells.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining Knight Frank and look forward to meeting/speaking with contacts old and new.”

Tim can be contacted on 01892 515035.