2 bedroom houses.

liam_h

Hi all.

FTB looking at all the options. We were looking for a 3 bed property that could be our "forever home". However on our budget that just won't be possible and we've decided a 2 bed in a nice area is a better option, moving when we need to when we hopefully have more money.

My concern is that 2 bedroom houses seem to be difficult to sell. Is this because they are probably more for the FTB market, who currently sturggle to get the mortgage required, or are they just genuinly difficult to sell? Would we be better going for a three bedroom property?

We've thought about looking at houses with the potential to extend. Loft conversions are the most popular option, and I understand even properties with trussed rafters can be converted, although more expensive. The important thing is the height. Is this something you all agree with in your experience?

Thanks.

hazyjo

Probably just the current market. Have you actually seen that the 3 bed ones are going quicker? I thought everything was struggling, not just 2 beds.

I'm selling a 2 bed at the mo and there's not many viewers, but I'm hoping it won't take long to sell. My last buyer pulled out. Never good!

If it was me buying, I'd rather a 2 bed in a nice area than a 3 bed for the sake of a 3 bed in a not-so-nice area. Only advice I can give is to make sure the 2nd bed is a double. My last house was a 2 bed and the 2nd bed was a single. Really, really went against the house and it was the main reason people weren't interested.

Very good idea buying something you can extend upwards or outwards. Make sure it 'balances' after though. I thought of that with mine, but there's a lounge diner and a kitchen downstairs, that's it. It's the downstairs space we're short on and there'd be no point in converting the loft. Something you could add a conservatory to to gain a bit more space in the future, or something with a kitchen/diner as well as a lounge/dining space would be good. It's the two reception spaces that seem to be selling houses as much as the number of bedrooms at the mo. Can't help on the techie side of loft conversions, but your best bet is to check if other houses in the same road have been converted - that'll generally be your answer as to whether it's possible without too much fuss, and whether permission would be granted.

Jx

liam_h

When we started looking we did look at a lot of 2 bedrooms. The sellers always mentioned the house had been on for a while, with one saying a 3 bed down the street had gone in a few weeks while his had been on for a year and half, mainly because people are looking for three bedroom properties.

Now the one we are looking at a really like has been on since January with current EA, but I know it was with another up until January looking at the feature on RM. There is another 2 bed we are looking at over the road and that has been on since May.

The one that has been on the longest does totally need redecorating to be fair, which is why we prefer it - it's cheaper than the one over the road by 5 grand which is lovely inside and doesn't need a thing doing.

Regarding the loft conversion, there isn't any from what I can see that have been done, and that's what is concerning me. I'll have a better idea when we view it again and I take a look myself. If we want to take it further I'll arrange a third viewing and take a builder/loft conversion "specialist" with me for their opinion.

geoffky

3 bed appeal to a wider audience when selling. hence buying a 2 bed limits your selling market

liam_h

That's exactly what I've been saying. I like the two bed, my concern is when we eventually have to sell if we can't go along the route of making it bigger, that we'll struggle. My other thought is 2 bed houses will appeal more to FTB because they are generally cheaper. It's why they appealed to us.

tizerbelle

I sold (accepted offer on) my last house - a two bed terrace in just over two weeks. I bought another two bed terrace (relocated across the country) that had been on the market for a few months - the reason for this is I'm single so while 3 beds would be nice, needed to keep within a comfortable budget as obviously only my income to manage the bills on. Don't forget there are many single person households out there for who a two bed is likely to be ideal. Whether it's a FTB couple / a single person - whether deliberately or recently split from partner / or even a down-sizing couple / person looking for something cheaper to run or easier to manage as they retire.

Actually I already know who will be buying this house from me in the future and that's my mum - she's already said her 3 bed with large garden will get to be too much for her in future so she's planning on buying mine! No, not a decision I was involved in at all - just a fait accompli!

VortexSteve

Around here the 2 beds seem to be flying off the shelves. But I suspect that is because most of them are bought by landlords as they can get a very good yield and there seems to be plenty of tenants looking in the area. Obviously not the same everywhere, and I do agree that a 3 bed opens you up to families rather than a single person/couple.

mark5

I disagree that they are harder to sell than 3 beds, the 2 beds always sell really well around here.

LandyAndy

liam_h wrote: »

FTB looking at all the options. We were looking for a 3 bed property that could be our "forever home". However on our budget that just won't be possible and we've decided a 2 bed in a nice area is a better option, moving when we need to when we hopefully have more money.

How many people buy their first house and live in it for the rest of their lives? I'd bet almost none. So, don't think of this purchase as a 'forever home' (horrible expression but) and your decision may be a lot easier.

pinkteapot

2-bed in a nicer area over a scabby 3-bed. Just make sure you get it for the right price. I sold a 2-bed (albeit flat not house) in five days in Feb 09 when the market completely died; I just priced it low!

I don't know anyone under the age of 80 who has stayed in the first place they bought. Go with what will suit you best for five years say (not much point buying and selling again in less time than that in an uncertain market). You might be thinking now that a 3-bed could be a forever home, but give it a few years and a few kids and you might be changing your mind anyway.

liam_h

Thanks all.

The 2 bed we were more interested in has gone now. But we're certainly giving strong consideration to the 2 bed houses if we can find one we like.