House without a back garden (only front)

Davesnave

Houses like this are not that uncommon, so if the track giving a right of way through the garden is only used by one neighbour, it isn't going to be a huge issue. It's the same arrangement as I have, except that there's 5.5 acres and another driveway at the back!

I know a little about farmers selling off parts of fields. There are two hurdles to overcome there; the first being that some farming families just won't part with any land, no matter how much silver you cross their palms with! It's down to pride in maintaining exactly what old Grandad Emlyn handed down all those years ago, etc, etc.

Secondly, there's the matter of changing land classified as agricultural to garden land, which can be difficult from a legal perspective. The best you can hope for if, say, you managed to agree a price for 1/8 acre, would be to use it as an orchard/vegetable plot.

I don't live in Pembs or Ceredigion, but my area is quite similar in many respects and there have been field to allotment/orchard conversions in my village. They're very visible on aerial photos.

Expanding the garden is something you'd have to explore with the owner of the field and not rely on. However, the large front garden is a feature of many older town properties and I don't think that in itself it's a deal breaker.

LaurenHeath123

I made a screenshot of the place on google maps to try and explain better but I can't upload images on here! I can't even do an URL or give address to search as its off the main road, so google maps don't pick it up you have to scroll through the area to look for it!

Small usable back garden enough for two garden sheds, some bins and a driveway down the side so very small but usable nonetheless.

They cannot walk through the garden as its all fenced off with a hedge around it. They would be driving through the 'drive/road' that separates the property and garden. So it would be no different to your next door neighbour being able to look into your garden over your fence. Does that make sense?

Davesnave

Nicki wrote: »

If there is no usable back garden, so all garden based activities such as having a barbecue with friends, sunbathing, drying undies on the washing line, etc has to take place in the front garden which the neighbours will be walking through with no notice multiple times a day, then yes even if I had no children that would be a real off putter for me.

I'm sure it would be a big issue for you and many others.

However, in my local town, where period cottages are terraced and face directly onto the street, this is a very common situation at the back, although it's typically pedestrian access. So, car parking often has to happen somewhere else.

Despite this, these properties don't languish on the market for long periods. The fact is, if people want a thatched cottage within a 'normal' budget, this is what they can have!

LaurenHeath123

DAVESNAVE -

This is the first property that I have come across like this but its nice to know that there are others in the same position! I wish there was 5.5 acres out the back! - theres 2-3 which would be lovely and I would probably never leave if I could get it but as you've said... theres more to buying agricultural land than meets the eye!
Most of my friends are farmers so I'm accustomed to their stubbornness when it comes to selling off land. I don't think any of them have so much as sold off a parcel of land let alone an entire field!
Luckily, I'm a law student and I've spent some time in a rural practice which specialises in these types of cases so I'm sure they wouldn't mind helping me out or at least pointing me in the right direction!

I only want the land as a back garden - literally to have somewhere to sunbathe etc. I would do all the pretty stuff in the front garden. The back garden is more for practical use.

Thank you for your reply. I would be interested to know whereabouts your based? I'm not Pembs way as such but definitely not South so its easier to say West so people don't think I live in Cardiff (the only place people seem to know about)

Davesnave

LaurenHeath123 wrote: »

Thank you for your reply. I would be interested to know whereabouts your based? I'm not Pembs way as such but definitely not South so its easier to say West so people don't think I live in Cardiff (the only place people seem to know about)

I'm in deepest, Devon, in the bit that few people see properly when they're on holiday, racing for the coasts.

I spent several years getting to know Pembs,Carms and Ceredigion + viewing smallholdings there. I just happened to buy here, rather than there, but it was a close run thing!

lincroft1710

A friend of mine has lived in a house like this in the English home counties for nearly 40 years - all front garden, tiny rear yard, unmade farm track access, on edge of a village. The son (now 20s) seems to survived OK.

LaurenHeath123

Davesnave wrote: »

I'm in deepest, Devon, in the bit that few people see properly when they're on holiday, racing for the coasts.

I spent several years getting to know Pembs,Carms and Ceredigion + viewing smallholdings there. I just happened to buy here, rather than there, but it was a close run thing!

I'm Carmarthenshire! It's nice to know that West Wales is recognised as well as the South! Both my parents grew up on farms here in Carmarthenshire. Shame I didn't!

LaurenHeath123

lincroft1710 wrote: »

A friend of mine has lived in a house like this in the English home counties for nearly 40 years - all front garden, tiny rear yard, unmade farm track access, on edge of a village. The son (now 20s) seems to survived OK.

It wouldn't be an issue for me but I know that it would be an issue for others so I'm staying mindful that the property may not have as much attention when it goes on the market and its probably best to expect lower offers than what would be expected from other properties in the area also!

kinger101

I wouldn't buy it. The commute would be too much.

robatwork

LaurenHeath123 wrote: »

I only want the land as a back garden - literally to have somewhere to sunbathe etc. I would do all the pretty stuff in the front garden. The back garden is more for practical use.

Sunbathe? I thought you said you were in Wales.

And more seriously.....if you can make the front garden completely private eg. with hedges/leylandii, and secure with a lockable gate, then no problem. You seem to have already realised that chances are 100:1 that you will sell on to a similar couple, as a rule 4 bed houses are bought by families with 2 or more children.