Would neighbour's smashed window put you off dream house?

Innsjoy

Hi,

My girlfriend and I are first time buyers with a healthy deposit and a mortgage offer in place. We recently found a lovely house. Demand for it was high so we put an offer in that day, which was accepted mainly due to our position as first-time buyers. The vendor is moving into rented accommodation so there is no chain.

Last week, we drove past the house at different points in the day to get an idea of the surroundings. The road is quiet and the properties appear to be well looked after. However, I noticed that one of the houses opposite ours has a smashed upstairs window. Instead of mending it, the owner has just covered the hole with a piece of cardboard. The house is a bit of a mess, with a lot of rubbish in their drive and front garden.

Perhaps I'm over-reacting but the picture on the "street-view" link on rightmove, is taken when there are two police cars outside the house. It is unclear whether the window is smashed at this point.

We probably should have noticed these things to begin with, but we were so taken with the house on our initial viewing.

Would this type of issue put you off buying a property that you were keen on?

My girlfriend isn't bothered by it and we both love the house. I just want to be sure that its not in an unsuitable area.

Many thanks.

jamespir

i wouldnt be bothered if you both like the house

Cannon_Fodder

You are choosing to move somewhere you know nothing about?

You need to ask some locals for more info on the area.

Friends, family, work colleagues...

simpywimpy

If you buy only to find there are rows and police sirens every weekend you are going to be upset with your purchase.

I would keep visiting at different times, maybe in the early and later evenings to see if it's still quiet but an unkempt house next door or very near would put me off I'm afraid.

[Deleted User]

Seconded. Arrange several viewings and if you feel uncomfortable, pull out.

Also, have a look at: http://maps.met.police.uk/ to see what the local hoodlum are up to!

[Deleted User]

Sorry - this is the link if it's outside London:

http://maps.police.uk

Soot2006

We viewed one house we liked a lot but there was a domestic argument in the street while we were there (police called, loud, etc). In the end I outright cornered the agent and asked him if he would live in this street. He said no .
We didn't go back for a second viewing.

C_Mababejive

STOP right there....you need to find out more.

The house might be fine but you could be moving into a living hell.

Why is the owner going to rent?

I would advise against buying until further is known.

Has the vendor declared any neighbour disputes etc??


No point in having your ideal home if you cannot have peaceable enjoyment of it.

Remember..scum breeds and attracts scum.

Innsjoy

The house is in South East London. We are familiar with the area as it is just down the road from my girlfriend's parents. From what they know, the road is fine.

We've probably driven down the road about ten times in the past week at different points in the day and it is always quiet.

The vendor hasn't declared any neighbour disputes.

I will tell the estate agent that we need some clarity on this issue before we can proceed any further.

Many thanks for your replies.

Emmzi

ask a local policeman. find out where the station is and go ask. It saved me from a very bad move :-)

NEH

It would be put me off I'm afraid. Keep revisiting as others have said but I wouldn't want to live anywhere that has a run down house next to me.

You just don't know what goes on there. I can safely say we live in a nice rural village but we have a number of problems at least 2 weekends in the month from anti-social behavior....(thankfully ours is rented) and it isn't great when you can't sleep 2 nights in a row or until the early hours because of it.