buying neighbours house for more space

carlsagen

Hi.

I live in a semi rural location. I have a modest 2 bed semi detached cottage with a growing family. Im fortunate to own a barn (not an old barn like you see on grand designs but it is built out of Yorkshire stone like the rest of the house.) on my plot and close to my house. I have a sizeable chunk of land that is my back garden. I have been granted planning permission to extend into my barn.

The land extends behind both my neighbours houses. so both neighbours left and right don't have a garden as it belongs to me. the neighbour attached to me is thinking of selling. His house is approximately 1/3 larger than mine and has 3 bedrooms.

He tells me it needs some work as he's let it go since his wife past away years ago.

going by zoopla i guess his would be worth 160k ... perhaps a bit less if its not a good state of repair.

would it be more sensible to try acquire this house rather than extend to my barn?

barn conversion 120k final fit
house purchase 160k - but would need to spend to repair / decorate etc.

the final house if merged with his or the barn would be approx same size.

The only difference is the small extension connecting my house to my barn would be single story and as such id have bedrooms in separate parts of the house. quirky.. not sure best move.

Thanks

ManuelG

Buying his house would give you a detached, extending into the barn would remain semi detached.

Might affect your decision one way or another, might not.

Andypandyboy

This is likely to be a one off chance as if it sells the buyer may be there years. I agree that being detached is also a consideration. Bedrooms in separate parts of the house can be a plus with older children. Not so good when they are small. You will still have the option of doing something with the barn in later years.

Why does the extension which joins the two properties have to be single storey?

katipip

OP - I've read your post which was started in July 2014 and seen the photos.

If I were you I'd definitely be interested in buying the neighbours property and creating a wonderful detached family home with outdoor space.

I'd recommend you investigate the costs of an architect as I believe the renovation would be expensive due to the solid nature of the build (I very much doubt the houses consist of wafer thin stud walls).

Whatever happens I would not sell that land - if elderly neighbour sells and a family move in do you want to be disturbed by the possibility of loud garden noise?

ManuelG

Having been reminded of the OP's other thread, I'd also suggest that the unusual land setup could always cause a problem between neighbours if you were unlucky enough to get a difficult one.

If I could afford the price difference, I'd buy next door.

carlsagen

Andypandyboy wrote: »

This is likely to be a one off chance as if it sells the buyer may be there years. I agree that being detached is also a consideration. Bedrooms in separate parts of the house can be a plus with older children. Not so good when they are small. You will still have the option of doing something with the barn in later years.

Why does the extension which joins the two properties have to be single storey?

cost is one factor. the second is that my house has a extension thats single story and forms the kitchen. the roofline follows that of the house so it doesn't look like an extension from the outside.

I thought about the separate rooms of the house for older kids. or guests,

the extension would have three beds and the orig house two.

does detached command a premium £?

eddddy

As a general rule, two small homes would be more valuable than one larger one. (That's why developers are keen to find properties to subdivide.) So usually, you would be losing money by converting two into one.

But obviously, there can be exceptions.

And perhaps your priority is having a place you enjoy living in, rather than maximising value.

Andypandyboy

Detached does command a premium. You could knock two beds through to make one big suite in the original house. How you configured the rooms would be up to you. I would definitely do it if you have the vision, money and need.

carlsagen

Yes i updated my original post about selling the awkward land. I thought this should be in a different thread as its unrelated to the land.

My concern is the price difference. Id be really stretching my self. My current mortgage is 189k with 20 years remaining on a 1.69% fixed for 3 years. Im 35 years old.

I estimate my mortgage would almost double to purchase his house. this makes me feel a little uncomfortable but of course I'm guessing at the value. it may be less

A house 10 doors down went for 160k but it had a modest back garden and was very nice standard inside...

and yes, my walls are approx 1ft thick stone.

ManuelG

To a degree it *is* related to the land however, as the way that's set up would make me ve-ry nervous that each new neighbour could end up a hassle. Buying neighbour's house eradicates that hassle.

Maybe it's time for him to get three estate agents round to see what it's *actually* worth?

Might also show if he's *serious* about selling, or just voicing aloud a thought in the back of his head.

carlsagen

ManuelG wrote: »

To a degree it *is* related to the land however, as the way that's set up would make me ve-ry nervous that each new neighbour could end up a hassle. Buying neighbour's house eradicates that hassle.

Maybe it's time for him to get three estate agents round to see what it's *actually* worth?

Might also show if he's *serious* about selling, or just voicing aloud a thought in the back of his head.

Yes, i went round last night and suggested he does just that.

Thanks for the advice all. will keep you posted.