What do we think of split level/upside down houses?

seashore22

jackieblack - snap

AnotherJoe

I think there's a difference between a split level house and an upside down house.

To me a split level house is one, nearly always built on a slope, where not all floors overlap.
It's a separate thing whether the bedrooms are above or below the living rooms and that can happen in an "ordinary" house as well.

System

seashore22 wrote: »

I have really liked the upside down houses we've stayed in on holiday.

The only reason I wouldn't want to live in one is security. We have our bedroom windows open at night all year round and I would obviously be more nervous of doing that on the ground floor. It would probably be a deal breaker for me, but not for those who seem to like living in hermetically sealed houses.

you could always get some decent windows which have a secure night latch...

davidmcn

the_r_sole wrote: »

you could always get some decent windows which have a secure night latch...

Indeed.

Also bear in mind that the bogeymen might have ladders.

Gabbs_the_Newt

The work of the Devil.

hazyjo

Sometimes if an upside down house is built that way, it's cos it's on a slope meaning you can often access the garden from the first floor lounge or kitchen at the back. That would be maybe okay, but I'd not like it otherwise. I just don't particularly like the idea of sleeping on the ground floor, and (like a lot of people), like to go upstairs to bed.


As above, it's definitely an 'upside down' house, not a split level house.


I do however love townhouses (house on more than two floors - not using it in the literal sense of a house in the centre of a town). Had one on four floors once! I've always been really drawn to them, even since I was at school and a couple of friends lived in them!

todayisagreatday

We have always lived in a bungalow and two of our failed purchases were split level houses. One looked like a bungalow from outside and had amazing views from the upstairs. The other had steps to the entrance and all living space was 'upstairs' and downstairs was a utility, washing room and garage.

We are now in a traditional bungalow and are going to remodel it. My main gripe is not really liking sleeping downstairs and in summer not being able to have the window open for security.

We are going to keep the main living areas downstairs with two bedrooms but add another level with bedroom, dressing room and ensuite and office, with a balcony from.the bedroom with sitting area (so we can sit outside upstairs and downstairs) we have views of the canal/garden/countryside).

I think I'd like the option of both, bedrooms downstairs and upstairs - it's good if you have the option of both! I do like split level houses though especially if they have been designed to make most of views etc, but if you are planning to sell soon, it does limit market.

cloo

'Upside down' houses round our way (North London) do usually take a long time to sell. But they make more sense in some places than others, or for some people's needs.

MrsSA

Apologies- the house is marketed as “split level” however you are all correct it’s technically an upside down house. All bedrooms are below the kitchen, lounge etc. so for future potential children it’s no problem we’d all be on the same level.

I wish I could post a link to the floor plan so you could see but it won’t allow me to do so as I’m a newbie .

I have never liked sleeping with a window open at night, not sure what it is but something about t creeps me out (I’m sure that’s probably odd lol).

I think by looking at it it’s built on a slope, so as others have said the front looks like a bungalow and then has stairs to the bedrooms. It’s a detatched at the very end of a cul de sac with protected trees and fields to one side so no one could build any further houses (a problem we’ve had constantly where we are now in our apartment).

The previous owners have had it since it was built in 2001 and have kept it perfectly. The home report is all 1s for the categories so absolutely no repairs immeinent or needed soon. They’ve also built a lovely balcony just off the kitchen and they have a BBQ and chairs etc which I love!

Do these houses tend to have trouble selling? The only reason we ask is because it appears to be slightly lower asking price than one we saw in the same street that was a “normal house” despite it having larger rooms, bigger garden and bigger garage. We won’t be concerned by resell for a long long time as we want this to be our “forever home”; so we would probably be leaving this home only well into our senior years if we needed to. I’m just thinking about the offer we make on the house- could the upsidedown-mess work in our favour for this?

hazyjo

Drop the www and it'll let you add it.


Unless there's a nice view, yes they will be slightly harder to sell as they're not for everyone. Bit like a townhouse - mine took longer to sell than a standard house would.


How do you access the garden? Is it from the first floor or the ground? Might be a pain if you have a dog or cat or even kids. It's always nice to have a door from a lounge and/or kitchen so you feel like you're extending your living space into the garden. If there's just one bedroom downstairs, it may feel a bit odd if say you want a BBQ, even if there is a hallway so they don't have to go through your bedroom. Bit of a pain with the kitchen upstairs.