Happy Homeowners Boast About Property Value

LEEDS, England, July 4, 2011 -

A man’s house really is his castle with boastful Brits needing
little excuse to show off improvements made to their homes to add
to its value.

According to new research by Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, one
in ten homeowners admit to hosting a flash dinner party just to
unveil their latest DIY successes whilst one in six proud
Brits invite loved ones over just to look at their new loo.

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks surveyed 3,000 Brits and found
that an extravagant 104,000 adults have even gathered friends and
family to reveal a new hot tub or steam room at their property.
However, only a surprising four per cent of people have invited
family over to unveil their baby’s nursery.

But house-proud Brits aren’t just showing off their homes to
close relatives with one in ten Brits inviting colleagues over for
dinner and an outgoing one in 20 Brits hosting people they’ve only
just met at the gym or on holiday.

What’s more, Brits are going to extreme lengths to impress these
guests with a fifth even admitting they would make changes to their
home especially in preparation for a dinner party.  And while
a third would hide embarrassing items and photos, a fifth would go
as far as making small home improvements, buy accessories or
re-decorate in advance of guests coming round.

Steve Reid, retail director for Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks
said: “It’s great to see that homeowners are thinking about adding
value to their properties in order to take the next step on the
property ladder. Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks have trained
advisers who are here to guide and support people through the maze
of information to help understand their options when it comes to
buying and selling a house.”

Most popular home improvements that homeowners show off at a
dinner party according to the survey:

• Garden makeover - 15.7 per cent
• New kitchen - 14.45 per cent
• New bathroom - 13.5 per cent
• Conservatory - 8 per cent
• Loft conversion - 5 per cent
• Baby’s nursery - 4.7 per cent
• Swimming pool, steam room or hot tub - 4.4 per cent

Notes to editors

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks polled 3,000 UK adults in May
2011. Respondents selected topics of conversation from a list of
options.

About Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks

Yorkshire Bank was founded in 1859 in Halifax, West Yorkshire,
and now has a strong personal customer base and a growing business
banking capability in the North of England and the Midlands.
Clydesdale Bank was established in 1838 in Glasgow and is one of
Scotland’s largest banks as well as having a significant presence
in London and the South of England.  Both banks have a proud
history of innovation and support for local industry and
communities.  

With a combined network of 339 retail branches and 72 business
banking Financial Solutions Centres, both Clydesdale and Yorkshire
Banks are members of the National Australia Bank Group. Clydesdale
Bank plc became a member of the Group in 1987 and Yorkshire Bank
joined in 1990.

Media contacts: For more information, please contact Carol Young at Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks on +44(0)141-242-4358 / +44(0)7764-975-460 carol.young at eu.nabgroup.com OR Julia Round or Janelle Hardacre at Finn Communications on +44(0)113-394-4333 julia.round at finncomms.com / janelle.hardacre at finncomms.com