Let's Move Home

wk44art18l

But Not on Friday 13th

 People the world over are well known for being superstitious. From not walking under ladders to avoiding walking on cracks in the pavement, people go to great lengths to avoid bringing bad luck upon themselves.

 Research by the Halifax reveals that another superstition can now be added to the list. People go to enormous lengths to avoid moving house on Friday 13th.

 Halifax, the UK’s largest mortgage provider, has looked back over the last 10 years to see what impact there has been on the housing market whenever the 13th has fallen on a Friday.

 Since 1991, every time the thirteenth has fallen on a Friday there has been a fall of at least 40% in the number of people moving home. Friday is traditionally always a very busy day for people moving home as it allows them to settle into their new house over a weekend. On a normal Friday, Halifax will complete approximately £120m worth of mortgages. When the 13th falls on a Friday this is reduced to around £70m.

 There are some years where there is no Friday 13th, but the ‘worst’ year for the 13th falling on a Friday was as recently as 1998, when there were three occasions when this happened (February, March and November). To compensate for the thirteenth falling on a Friday, people move a day earlier and the number of mortgage completions the Halifax processes rises dramatically as homeowners avoid the Friday 13th phenomenon.

 Commenting, Paul Duffin, General Manager, Mortgages at Halifax, said:

 "We know people are superstitious, but it is intriguing to see that these superstitions now extend as far as not moving home on Friday 13th. Whether this is due to a fear of breaking a mirror or even putting shoes on the table we will probably never know. What is clear however is that homeowners do go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that they do not bring bad luck upon themselves or their new home."

Have your say...

Be the first to leave your comment.

Send To A Friend Send To A Friend

Printer Friendly Printer Friendly

Add Page To Favorites Add Page To Favorites

Back to the top Back to the top

Become a 50connect Member

Green Issues With Michael Wale

Ptarmigan could be in danger

Some British Birds In Danger

Michael Wale talks with an academic who has spent a year and a half identifying which British birds could be endanger in the future.

Spotlight

Meet 50connect's Columnists

From relationship advice to environmental issues; life as an ex-pat living in France and the highs and lows of going back to study; read the latest from our regular contributors.