Am I Mad to consider renovation (HS2 related)

HouseMouse

I think I know the answer to this.

I own a house that I was hoping to sell later this year so I can downsize into a bungalow for my twilight years. Smaller=easier & cheaper to maintain, and also I would like to move out of the area.

I have just been informed that I am within 500m of the revised HS2 route in South Yorkshire.

Now the actual railway wouldn't bother me personally. I am quite close to the M1 & the traffic noise from that is pretty constant though not really intrusive. The railway line will be alongside the motorway but the other side of it, further away from the house. Its not actually going to be visible from the house. I'm not that bothered about additional noise from the railway due to the local geography etc, plus its not going to be constant. The construction period is of course a vastly different issue, but that isn't going to last forever.

And this is assuming of course that the railway line does actually get built.

But in the meantime I expect I will be unable to sell the house - the mere mention of the proximity to HS2 will doubtless put people off. The proposed completion of this part of the route is 2033, so that's a long time to wait for a resolution, and I expect to be long gone before then.

The house was built around 1970 & apart from replacement windows, heating etc and a fairly large single storey extension is still pretty much original.
So do I try to sell it now?

The alternative is to undertake the major renovations needed to drag it into the 21st century, and make it disabled-friendly. The works would involve sufficient rebuilding that I would have to move out while they are done.

My main concern is whether this would look like a bad investment - no hope of ever getting the money back in terms of adding to the property value. It could also forever tie me to a house that is, frankly, bigger than I need and in a fairly rural area where access to local facilities is extremely difficult without a car. I do like the area and in many ways I wouldn't mind staying here but I am trying to be practical.

There is no way I can stay in the house without the renovations.

What would you do?

Pixie5740

It sounds as though you're looking for somewhere to be your forever home. Your current home sounds too big for you and you'd like somewhere more manageable. It also sounds as though it requires a lot of work to get it to a disabled-friendly standard. If it were me I would sell it as it is rather than spending time and money dragging the property from the 1970s to the 21st century.

carefullycautious

I would jump at it. Close proximity to a motorway and a railway if needed would be top of my list.


Ok, there is going to be disruption whilst this is in progress so I would put it up for sale now and see what response you get.


As in everything there will be pluses for some and minuses for others.


Downsizing now whilst you are able to is the best decision for you to make. Don't leave it too late due to procrastination.


Good luck

Winter_Phoenix

I'd put it on the market later this year (when the current ridiculous end-of-the-world-is-nigh Brexit wobble has steadied).

Either you'll get the offer(s) you want, or you won't. This should make up your mind for you!

davidmcn

It doesn't sound to me that HS2 is likely to add much to the disturbance from the motorway, either during construction or once it's in operation.