The Birches, Ratcliffe Highway, St Mary Hoo, Rochester, ME3 8RN

The Birches is a four-bedroom detached house in St. Mary Hoo, Rochester, Rochester (ME3 8RN). It has a recorded floor area of 240 m² (around 2583 sq ft) and construction records dating it to 1991-1995. The latest certificate (March 2023) shows a D (score 65), on the cusp of jumping into the C band. When first surveyed in May 2011 the rating was G, the property has climbed 3 bands since. Between certificates, hot-water efficiency went from Very Poor to Average, lighting went from Average to Very Good and main heating went from Very Poor to Average. The recommended improvements would push it to C (score 74). Main heating runs on oil. Other recorded features include notable views.

It hasn't traded since August 2007, a hold of 19 years that's notably long for the area. That sale landed at the peak of the pre-credit-crunch market, which is a useful reference point when interpreting the price. At 240 m² the property is well over the postcode median (141 m² across 7 EPCs), placing it in the larger end of the local stock. Today's modelled estimate of £857,000 sits 90% above the 2007 sale of £451,000. 3 planning records sit against the property, 1 approved, 0 refused. Past consents include an extension and a garage conversion, meaningful when judging how the property has evolved.