Location, location, location - the real secret

Location, location, location is the oft used and misused mantra of many when it comes to determining what is the most important selling factor for a property.

But what it means in reality is very much subjective.

So EAT thought we would start with a benchmark and work out from that.

The latest Halifax Quality of Life Survey saw the Hampshire district of Hart retain its position as the most desirable place to live in the UK for the third year in a row.

It said Hart managed to retain its position at the top of the Quality of Life Survey by scoring consistently highly across almost all categories:

* Hart residents are the healthiest in the UK, with 97.4% reporting being in good or fairly good health. They also live the longest in the UK, with an average male life expectancy of 82.9 years compared to the national average of 79 years;
* The 80% employment rate is significantly higher than the national average (71%), while gross average weekly earnings of £843 are £226 (or 37%) higher than the UK average of £616;
* New ONS figures indicate the adult population is among the most happy, satisfied and content in the UK;
* The cost of living in Hart, however, is high; the average house price in Hart is 7.0 times the average annual pre-tax local income – higher than the UK average of 5.8.

Halifax economist Martin Ellis said: "The old adage of ‘Health, Wealth and Happiness’ is the traditional measure of a good quality of life. For the third year running Hart has delivered against a range of indicators to demonstrate its residents have the best quality of life in the UK.

"The Hampshire district scores highly on most of the measures used, including health, life expectancy, employment, average earnings, low crime, and relatively good weather. These factors are reflected in the fact that adults in Hart rate themselves among the happiest and least anxious in the country and believe what they do in life is worthwhile."

Is Quality of Life the real key to "location, location, location" or are transport, schools, health services and so on more important considerations? You're the agents who sell wherever you are so you tell us and we'll see where the consensus lies