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Today will be very unlucky for some

Friday, 13 January 2012 9:12 AM

Today is expected to be one of the quietest days of the year in the housing market as superstitious buyers and sellers weigh up the merits of trying to do business on Friday 13th.

A survey by property website FindaProperty reveals that 32 per cent fewer homes are sold on the 13th than on any other day. The fact that it lands on a Friday this time around will make things even worse.

And the problems with the number 13 do not stop there. Superstition is such that sellers living at No 13 can expect to receive an average of £6,511 or three per cent less for their property than neighbours living at a different number.

There have also been 34 per cent fewer properties sold with the number 13 than those numbered 1-12 and 14-30. Over the past 10 years, 144,789 No 13s sold compared to 239,716 No 12s and 222,127 No 14s.

Samantha Baden, property analyst at FindaProperty, said: "Buying a home is a huge investment so it's no surprise that people want everything to be just right – including the day of purchase. The fact that buyers avoid the number 13 is a trend that has been evident for the past 10 years, so there's no reason to think that this year will be any different.

"Many people believe Friday the 13th to be one of the most unlucky days of the year, and as a nation of superstitious buyers, we expect it will be one of the quietest days for property in 2012."

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