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Fly_Baby
Posts: 709 Forumite
Well, it is finally happening - after years of renting we are finally looking for a house to buy. So being FTBs, this is where the MSEs' expertise comes forward - I really need a second opinion guys.
I have seen a house which I sort of liked - great catchment area, walking distance to one of the best primary schools and the best secondary school. Four bedrooms (or rather three bedrooms and a study), two bathrooms, generous-sized lounge, really, really great garden! BUT:
It is a maisonette, i.e. the property is split-level over the 1st and 2nd floor, and somebody else lives on the ground floor. Still, it has a private entrance and a private garden. In order to get to your 1st floor you climb a narrow flight of steps.
Plus it is close to a major road (it is a secluded cul-de-sac but you can hear the busy traffic in the garden).
It costs approx. the same as 3-bed semi-detached houses cost in the area and even a bit more than some - 3-bed semis are what we were looking for but I am dazzled with the garden and the good area (although I am only looking for properties in this area anyway)...
Opinions?
I have seen a house which I sort of liked - great catchment area, walking distance to one of the best primary schools and the best secondary school. Four bedrooms (or rather three bedrooms and a study), two bathrooms, generous-sized lounge, really, really great garden! BUT:
It is a maisonette, i.e. the property is split-level over the 1st and 2nd floor, and somebody else lives on the ground floor. Still, it has a private entrance and a private garden. In order to get to your 1st floor you climb a narrow flight of steps.
Plus it is close to a major road (it is a secluded cul-de-sac but you can hear the busy traffic in the garden).
It costs approx. the same as 3-bed semi-detached houses cost in the area and even a bit more than some - 3-bed semis are what we were looking for but I am dazzled with the garden and the good area (although I am only looking for properties in this area anyway)...
Opinions?
0
Comments
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If it were me, I would get the smaller 3-bed semi if you can get one in the same area/catchment.
A big garden is nice, but not if you can't enjoy it without somebody looking directly out their window at you (and if you can't walk out your house straight on to it).0 -
What's the tenure (leasehold, share of freehold...)?
How do you get to the garden?
Who's going to be living there? I assume children since schools are mentioned.
Doesn't sound a good bet from the initial details you've given, if you're looking for a family home.0 -
If it were me, I would get the smaller 3-bed semi if you can get one in the same area/catchment.
A big garden is nice, but not if you can't enjoy it without somebody looking directly out their window at you (and if you can't walk out your house straight on to it).
The garden is private and is only accessible from the house. It has perimeter fencing too.
I now live in a 3-bed semi but still my garden is perfectly visible from the neibour's house and their garden is seen from the 1st floor window of our house.
Space is one of my issues - I'd rather compromise on something else.0 -
What's the tenure (leasehold, share of freehold...)?
How do you get to the garden?
Who's going to be living there? I assume children since schools are mentioned.
Doesn't sound a good bet from the initial details you've given, if you're looking for a family home.
I didn't ask about the tenure - didn't think of it but should have.
The garden is accessed from the maisonette's private entrance area only.
Moving in will be me, my OH and two primary-school aged children. Current owners are a family with small children too.
Still doesn't sound like a good family home?
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I didn't ask about the tenure - didn't think of it but should have.
Do so ASAP - that's really important.
Struggling to picture the layout - is the garden a front garden, or are there separate entrances on the back and front of the house, 1 for upstairs and 1 for downstairs?
Having to go upstairs as soon as you go in to the house is not very convenient with bags of shopping and all the other paraphenalia children tend to involve (in my limited experience, not having any).0 -
personally I would always buy a freehold house rather than any leasehold property (which I believe most maisonettes are). I have lived in a flat and believe me when you come to re-sell or even just want to make a small change it can get very messy.0
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If it were me, I would get the smaller 3-bed semi if you can get one in the same area/catchment.
Nice 3-bed semis in this area are more expensive and therefore not affordable. Cheaper semis are rare to come by. I am viewing a couple - garden is not great in both of them and I haven't even seen what the rooms look like.0 -
personally I would always buy a freehold house rather than any leasehold property (which I believe most maisonettes are). I have lived in a flat and believe me when you come to re-sell or even just want to make a small change it can get very messy.
The EA says it is getting a lot of interest.
Do they always say that?0 -
Struggling to picture the layout - is the garden a front garden, or are there separate entrances on the back and front of the house, 1 for upstairs and 1 for downstairs?
Having to go upstairs as soon as you go in to the house is not very convenient with bags of shopping and all the other paraphenalia children tend to involve (in my limited experience, not having any
The garden is to the back of the house and it is separated - so two private gardens for both properties. There are two separate street entrances too.
A very valid point about having to go upstairs with all the bags and children...0
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