Aspect putting us off.

PasturesNew

sniggings wrote: »

( I thought aspect referred to the view from the windows,not the house's appearance?)

I think you're right. It's elevation that's "what it looks like".

ReadingTim

I'm not sure you can make the place look pretty from the outside, but the fact of the matter is that you're going to spend considerably more time inside the house looking out than outside looking at the house. Therefore, the problem is more one for your neighbors than for you!

But while that approach might work for Kirsty Alsop (from whom I paraphrased) in the elegant surroundings of London's Notting Hill, I'm not sure it's quite as applicable in a 1990s mock-Georgian estate near Peterborough.... that said, from a streetview tour of the road, there are a few properties of that style, so yours won't stand out as much as it would if it was completely unique. Also, given the style of the estate, potential buyers shouldn't be dissuaded by the architectural style of the property - otherwise they wouldn't be looking there at all!

Sadly, I think the orientation of the property will limit what you can do - any attempt to improve the side elevation will have to involve the neighbors to maintain symmetry, whereas the "front" is somewhat blighted by that double garage.

Finally, given it's the most important single purchase you're ever likely to make, I don't think it's unreasonable to say that if you value "kerb appeal", then this ain't the place to buy. Buy it and you might end up resenting the place, and the mortgage can be hard enough to pay even when you love the place you live in!

ben_m_g

I appreciate all the comments, the interior isn't perfect but is much larger than many in the area for the same price range.
Personally we could live with the bathrooms, but would want to update them pretty soon/

For the outside, some ideas did come to mind:

A dwarf wall around the front (to make it look less odd with the absence of the door, may not be possible with the corner of the house.)
Getting shot of the sky dishes
Window boxes flowering shrubbery along the two front edges (to draw attention away from the garage)
A simple car port/shelter would hide the garage nicely, but that does come with problems getting approval).

jimbog

Some exterior wooden cladding?
https://www.pinterest.com/emmakelloway/cladding/
with storm porch?
http://www.suffolkcountryoak.co.uk/oak-porches/

misswoosie

I think aspect refers to the position of the house on the land so includes views, but most important is the orientation ie the way the house faces ie N,S,E or W. The correct term for what the OP refers to as aspect is the facade.

AdrianC

It's a semi. Unless the neighbours do the same, it's going to look REALLY odd.

misswoosie

Jimbog,couldn't quote you as your post has links and I'm a new member.
Agree with the cladding on the facade where the front door is,Anything to get rid of the mock period look, and those things that look like bricked up windows need to change. I think as some of the houses are red brick whilst some are rendered adding cladding, especially on the front where it's not attached to anything else, would look fine.Also think some plants would help to "soften " it. If the sold prices at the bottom right are for similar size houses, then it seems expensive? Just a thought.:)

Anatidaephobia

I actually think it's quite nice. I like houses that look a bit different to the average house. The only thing I don't like is the garage that appears to be built directly infront of your front door. It looks like there's hardly any space between the two.

Doozergirl

Trompe l'oiel would work a treat! Paint in the windows where they aren't and even a front door. Grow wisteria or clematis around it. Wisteria would be a pretty period detail but is slower to grow.

I'd also paint the window cills in a sandstone colour and possibly some of the top detailing.

I think the key problem is that front doors are the face to a property and yours has none, just a space. It's also missing contrast in colour. Almost all houses feature two or more colours. The missing windows are a typical Georgian detail, but the missing front door is not. I could even be tempted to create a fake front door. It would make the world of difference.

Have a google for 'georgian trompe l'oiel'. Some of it is a bit extreme, but even a very simple white painted frame and black background in the window spaces will help - it's surprisingly common on period houses. I'm not crazy!

ben_m_g

misswoosie wrote: »

I think aspect refers to the position of the house on the land so includes views, but most important is the orientation ie the way the house faces ie N,S,E or W. The correct term for what the OP refers to as aspect is the facade.

Aspect and façade are both correct in common usage, however façade is the principal (i.e. main) front of the property (the side that faces the road).

This property does not have a 'main' front, as two sides area facing the road, so I guessed and used aspect.