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Daydream fund challenge part 4
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Morning daydreamers, I hope everyone is doing ok.
I have somegood news and some not so good. I’ve found a house-but would like some advice if I may? But also, it may not now happen as the survey on mine has shown 3 areas of concern they want further investigation on. Says the drains need clearing and inspecting as it’s an old
Property (we looked last night and they are very clean and seem in good order to us). Electrics don’t meet current regs (apparently this is quite a standard thing as unless the property is a new build they always will be), but also some wires are hanging by the fuse box-we checked them last night, thick cable like for a shower ans they’re dead. Thirdly, more concerning...my house is on a hill so there are a couple of retaining walls, one at the front of the garden and one in between my drive and the neighbours house. Survey says they are both bowing and need immediate replacement which will cost thousands of pounds. Now the one at the front is the same as when I moved in 9 years ago and the neighbours one is original to the house (1939), and again hasn’t moved since we moved in and the drive has been redone during that time and that’s fine. So I don’t know what this will all throw up and how much they intend to try and chip off the price.
Which leaves me in a predicament as the house I had reserved is a new build and I was paying a £500 retainer this weekend coming. But if they knock a lot off the price of ours I won’t be able to afford it! Argh.
That said, if I can sort it then I have a choice of 2 plots. Exact same houses ao nothing to choose there. This is what I would like opinions on please-what would you choose?
Plot 1: side wall of house is garden wall to neighbour. East facing garden but quite a lot larger than the other plot. Sticking out but at the bottom which is west facing so could be a nice patio area. Backs onto one shared ownership house and the other 2 to the side are large 5 bed detached private houses. Sticking out bit abuts 2 parking spaces for shared ownership house, hence larger plot. Just a couple of foot of “harden” at the front before path. Both houses are nearly opposite each other, in a cul de sac.
Plot 2: smaller garden but west facing. More overlooked by other houses, but all big private houses. This house faces a natural area that as an attenuation pond in it. So nicer outlook. Slightly more “garden” at the front, but only a foot.
What do you think?? I find myself unable to make decisions at present, I have some photos but no way to upload at present. Plot 2 doesn’t have fences etc up yet so it’s hard to judge too!
I may delete this post as it has lots of info in it lol so would you mind not copying and pasting? Many thanks.0 -
Well, no one can decide for you.0
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The electrics not being to current standards and the drains needing inspecting are just the surveyor covering themselves (I had these on the place I bought, which had, and still has, an ancient shared treatment plant). Politely offer the buyer the opportunity to arrange their own specialist electrical/drainage inspections at their own cost. I didn't bother. Electrical standards are updated regularly so other than new builds/newly refurbed buildings nothing will be to current standards.
As for the retaining walls, if they're that old and haven't moved, stand your ground and offer them the opportunity to have a further specialist inspection.
Posting on the housing board might get some more suggestions.
I'm afraid I can't help you decide which house to buy0 -
Shared house wall to garden boundary? Sounds like it could have a goalpost chalked up on it.... thump... thump. thump....
Probably not, but worth noting if possible...0 -
Well, no one can decide for you.
No of course not, I was asking for advice about the garden mainly with aspect etc. I'm going from a decent size garden you see. I wouldn't ever expect anyone to make a decision for me. Just asking for opinions.
Greenbee, that's my view of the survey. All the ones I've ever had done come back with similar recommendations. I think given my current situation with a lengthy divorce battle and feeling battered by that has left me more concerned about things than I usually would be.
Daffy-thank you. That's my big worry too!0 -
fay.... ALSO may I mention that a friends house wall is a wall to neighbours and they grew their veg against it, watered with gusto and she had a damp line come through... luckily she told them and they moved their veg but ....you never can tell reactions if its in "their" garden.
I think you will get a feel for a place by standing in the garden and envisage what you would do with it . where the sun will be at what time of day ie. if you work, then nice to catch the evening sun ?
good luck and it will work for you when its right xx0 -
Thanks Alfie, that was another scenario I had thought about, or a tree planted too close! I am definitely veering towards smaller, west facing but no wall issues garden lol
I also never thought I would buy a new build, but given what I've been through over the last 18 months and how my work is progressing. I think it will be good to have somewhere I can move in and just start living, and have a totally blank garden to build and daydream about.
Thank you x0 -
Fay, I think greenbee has voiced most of my thoughts about the purchasers trying their luck with stuff a surveyor cannot comment authoritatively about. If you feel the price you agreed is reasonable, try to stick to it until better evidence is produced. The chances are that the purchasers won't employ a structural engineer or have a drain survey.
As for choosing a garden plot, I wouldn't want east facing. Something with a bit of sun at the end of the day is hard to beat, even if overlooked. Besides, you may be able to design a sheltered seating area and use plants to screen it.
Our first garden was tiny, but somehow we got a stone shed, a patio/drying area, a border, a pond, a rock garden, a lean-to greenhouse and a raised veggie bed in there...and there was still room for two bins!I often think it was the best design we did, because everything earned its place.
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I'd go for West facing to be able to sit in the last rays of sun each evening, watching Dragonflies zoom around or Demoiselles flitter and flicker en masse, with assorted birds and wildlife coming in and out.
No footballs, barbecues, lights brighter than the surface of the sun or attempts to drill holes in for plants/basketball hoops or other such abominations.I could dream to wide extremes, I could do or die: I could yawn and be withdrawn and watch the world go by.Yup you are officially Rock n Roll0 -
We shall fetch the new hens today to give some company to our lone ranger. Not sure what they will be yet, but so long as they turn out a decent breakfast egg....:D
We have a promise of more rain, still really needed here now the fields are recovering. It's been interesting seeing the difference between the part of the top field where we've reduced the hedge and the rest where it's still around 20-25' high. There's no appreciable shading, but wherever the hedge is au naturelle to about 15m inwards, the grass has really struggled and the plantain, docks, ragwort and thistle have flourished. I've intervened by spraying the weeds and I'll be overseeding as soon as a decent amount of rain falls. I've not heard from Pete, but it can't be long now before the sheep arrive.
The swallows look set to be leaving already. I think they've done OK this year, but the reason for the drop in their numbers lies elsewhere.0
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