Whether it is Cameron Diaz’s snow-covered cottage in The Holiday or the bright lights of the McAllister’s house in Home Alone, a Christmas movie house looks wonderful.
And it is the mansion Kevin was left to defend that ranks as our favourite Christmas home on TV or film – other festive places on the list include Del’s decorated flat in Only Fools and Horses, the old-timey townhouses, storefronts, and cottages of Victorian London in A Christmas Carol, the Houses of Whoville and the Griswold house in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
However, even though nearly a quarter of us (23%) are inspired by TV and film when looking for our dream property, these types of homes for most is only a dream as the McAllister Mansion, in Chicago, is valued at £1.47m.
In fact, on average, we would pay £470,130 for our dream property – which would not even be enough to purchase the Trotters Peckham home which would cost around half a million pounds.
Discussing the research, Raisin UK co-founder Kevin Mountford, commented: “It’s not surprising that the mansion from Home Alone has topped our list, having been a staple movie for UK families at Christmas for over 31 years and inspiring many to save to buy their own dream home. But with recent news on interest rate rises yet to impact available mortgages, many aspiring homeowners might be left out in the cold when it comes to finding a forever home. Maximising your house deposit/savings now will help reduce the amount you need to borrow and also work in your favour with mortgage lenders.”
Nearly half (45%) of us are currently saving for our next property and would love a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a large garden including a swimming pool – but since Father Christmas can not bring this gift down the chimney, it is down to us to fulfil our own dreams.
Top 10 Christmas homes from TV and film
- Home Alone – McAllister House – $1.585 million.
- Home Alone 2 – The Plaza Hotel – starting at $999,500 for one bed and one bathroom
- Only Fools and Horses – Del’s Flat – £497,000
- A Christmas Carol – The old-timey townhouses, storefronts, and cottages of Victorian London
- Downton Abbey – Highclere castle is valued at about £72 million
- Mrs Brown’s Boys – Mrs Brown’s House
- The Vicar of Dibley – Geraldine’s cottage
- Elf– The apartment where Buddy the Elf’s family lives, sold for $3,085,000
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas – The Houses of Whoville
- The Royle Family – Royle’s House, £220,000