Where in belfast area for first time buyer?

talksalot81

Hi guys,

We have been doing a bit of searching on our own, but the combined resources of MSE are something we cannot hope to match!

My Fiancee and I are looking to buy our first house. We both work in the city and currently live in east belfast/N. Down. We have up to £180k to spend. We are not willing to go into an apartment and would rather avoid a terrace if possible. Thus it seems most of the property will be semis of one sort or another. We would like to avoid a major travel for the obvious reason and also because the closer to belfast, the better our investment. Our other important feature is a reasonable area. We have both been brought up in good areas and do not want to find ourselves dealing with estate type area.

So far our best ideas are Dundonald (avoiding Ballybean). Can anyone suggest other areas which might be worth considering?

Thanks!

darrenfinlayson

talksalot81 wrote:

Hi guys,

We have been doing a bit of searching on our own, but the combined resources of MSE are something we cannot hope to match!

My Fiancee and I are looking to buy our first house. We both work in the city and currently live in east belfast/N. Down. We have up to £180k to spend. We are not willing to go into an apartment and would rather avoid a terrace if possible. Thus it seems most of the property will be semis of one sort or another. We would like to avoid a major travel for the obvious reason and also because the closer to belfast, the better our investment. Our other important feature is a reasonable area. We have both been brought up in good areas and do not want to find ourselves dealing with estate type area.

So far our best ideas are Dundonald (avoiding Ballybean). Can anyone suggest other areas which might be worth considering?

Thanks!

for that price you will struggle to get a semi in a remotely good area, you should possibly consider an end terrace, because at the end of the day its pretty much the same as a semi anyway.

finaghy might be a possibility, but it would have to be a run down ex council end terrace house, probably 2 bedrooms. the bidding is fierce there though so expect to pay 180k for something that starts around £145.

though you will be left in a very good and convinient part of south belfast that is still rocketing in value.

bingo_bango

Agreed. I'm in Dunmurry, and it's unlikely you'll have much choice for £180K around here, but there are still some bargains to be had. As DF says, the prices around this area are rising at a staggering rate, so time is of the essence.

seatzie

For a little better value than Dundonald you may have to look at Ards, though the way bidding is going 180k may be tight there as well, a semi across the road from me in Dundonald went on market at 185 in August and is sitting at over 220!

Unfortunately it does seem to get good value its north down that will give you more for your money, Ards/Comber/Bangor and further out, 180k will get you a detached bungalow in Portaferry, but I dare say the commute would be a nightmare!

AceCobra

We where in a similar position not long ago and decided to move a bit further out. Myself and my partner where both from the Dunmurry area. We decided 20 minutes additonal travel should be our max.

We are from the other end of town do we didn't look up your end bBelfast but we did look at.

Lurgan
Dromore
Crumlin
Glenavey
Glengormely


We deiced on a Nice detahced Bungalow in Crumlin. We live in a Culdesac with 3 sets of older people and fields to keep us company

For what we paid that would have got us a 2 up 2 down terrance in Belfast.
In conclusion I would seriously consider moving a little further out.

Martin.

Greentea

You should be able to get a semi in North Down for £180. Was looking at one in Manor Park area its at £150 .... due to close today. It was up with John Neill. But it did need some work.

33pelter

have u tried a search under 180,000 on mcw residential (they specialize in east belfast)? Hope u find what u r lukin 4!

thetope

You might find something in Four Winds? Or perhaps Loopland area off Cregagh Road in East Belfast. Though to be honest i haven't a clue about prices now because the price semis are advertised is nowhere near the price it eventually sells for at the moment.

talksalot81

I am a tad surprised by the responses! We have found a half dozen places which are mostly sale agreed, in the sub £170k region, in Dundonald.

Thanks for the other suggestions!

rjh090384

chances are though sale agreed at 20k or more above asking price!

startrekker

Im living in Leicester now and am taken aback by the house prices in my Homeland.
However for my tuppance worth I would consider moving out into the sticks.
Why...Better value for money and peace and quiet.
The obvious con is that you have to commute...Big Deal. I work 7 miles away on the other side of the city and it takes me 45 mins on a good day to an hour.....to get to work

Now my reckoning is that an hours travelling is commonplace here and if I was to migrate back I certainly wouldnt live near Belfast at all. Ballycastle looks very tempting and yes I would commute to Belfast from there.
Its called sarcificing and I would rather have a nice 4 bed detached dormer, great views, clean air peace and quiet, no noisy neighbours etc etc....

There you go Tuppance.....