In an interview on ThisIsMoney.Co.UK, real estate expert Phil Spencer, reveals tips to homeowners on how to increase their home values in a number of ways.
Surprisingly, one of the ways to increase home value is by simply giving your house a name. According to Spencer, this costs £0, adds up to £5,000 (or about $6,500).
This is also true for vacation homes. When homeowners give a name to their vacation home, it’s more attractive to renters according to an article in The Wall Street Journal in September 2020.
Choosing a name can be hard and you’ll need to choose a unique one if you are going to register it with your state. If you are not feeling creative, there is a Name House Generator you can use to help get started. It’s best to pick a name that has some relation to a home’s history or surroundings.
For example, if you have large wisteria vines and olive trees on your property in a sunny, tree-lined street with city views, these are some name ideas for your house:
Sunny End – Some people like to name a house after the prevailing weather.
Olivelands or Olive Lodge – Plant-related house names are incredibly popular.
Blue Jay’s House – House names that refer to animals are becoming increasingly popular.
City View – Many people like to name houses after what can be seen from them.
The Wisterias or Wisterialands – The definite article followed by the plural of a plant is very popular in many parts of the world.
Cityways – Many people like to name houses after what can be seen from them.
Treeside – Many people like to name houses after what can be seen from them.
For beach house dwellers, there is a great vacation listing website that will offer you lots of fun ideas. Create your own beach house name.
My favorite idea for a beach house name is Seas The Day! What is yours?
Registering Your Farm, Ranch, Estate or Villa in California
You can make the name of your home official in California by using a unique name and then protecting it from being used by anyone else. In this case the term “farm” includes a farm, ranch, an estate, or villa.
According to the Businesses and Professions code of California, “Any farm owner or lessee in this state may register the name of his or her farm with the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate setting forth the name and location of the farm and the name of the owner upon payment of the fee as set forth in subdivision (g) of Section 12193 of the Government Code.”
The form to register a home name in California costs a $10, but you’ll have to perform a thorough trademark search first to see if your name is taken.
History of Naming Houses
Naming houses is an old British custom starting with the upper classes naming their castles and manors. But, for the rest of the world, it’s a simple and easy way to boost the value of your home or vacation home to attract buyers and renters alike. Most famously named homes have historic significance.
Highclere Castle
Famous houses of England include the set of the popular television series and movie Downton Abbey set on the grounds of Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England.
The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island
This magnificent estate was a summer home built for The Vanderbilts. According to Wikipedia, “The Breakers is the architectural and social archetype of the “Gilded Age,” a period when members of the Vanderbilt family were among the major industrialists of America. It was the largest, most opulent house in the Newport area upon its completion in 1895.” In an article on AOL.com, The Breakers was named for the waves that crash below the estate.
Casa Felicia in Palos Verdes Estates, California
Closer to home are some classic homes, one of which I had the honor of representing the buyer. In 1925, renowned landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. was given his choice of any site in Palos Verdes Estates in gratitude for planning the new city. He selected this spectacular, 65,000 square foot bluff top parcel, with approximately 270 feet of ocean “frontage” overlooking the Pacific ocean, coastline and Santa Monica Bay. Acclaimed architect, Myron Hunt was selected to design the magnificent, Spanish inspired estate. Hidden by a grove of eucalyptus trees, and perched high atop the sea, “Casa Felicia” features thick plaster walls, old world charm and lush landscaping throughout.