Would you buy a house with steps up to front door?

xzibit

Looked at a house built on a hill that is raised one storey at the front so the half is a garage under the house and half is stepped access up to the front door and side gate to the garden. About 15 steps in all. Rear garden is at house floor level.

House is great, price is good (due to the steps I imagine).

I'd be lying if I said the steps wouldn't be an issue to us, but it would be more an occasional inconvenience rather than an issue, however the reason I'm not going in with an offer is I'm worried when we came to sell in 5-10 years we would struggle because of the steps. I'd imagine it would put off at least 60-70% of people. Or am I worrying about it for no reason?

Opinions?

[Deleted User]

It will definitely limit the people it would appeal to, those with pushchairs or mobility problems will be out. However I lived in a place with lots of stairs for a number of years (upside down property, stairs to front door which was on second floor, garage and bedrooms underneath) and it didn't bother me at all, even with shopping. Thirty years later I'd refuse to move in as I have problems with stairs now.

Could you change the access?

googler

Depending on what part of the country it's in, snow and ice (quite topical today) may be an issue

What age are your parents, aunts and uncles? If they're of pensionable age, would you be happy with them using these stairs unaided?

babyblade41

It would depend on property and the rest it has to offer.

It's not something we would probably look at but if the house is exceptional it could possibly be overlooked

Marvel1

I'm young and mobile, but steps to get to the front door, no chance.

Mickygg

I had a house with lots of steps to front door. It sounds similar to the house you looked at. I bought it as it was quirky but when I came to sell it it was a nightmare. Time and time again people didn’t want it because of the steps. I eventually sold it but at a knock down price and it took over a year.
Never again.
My advice is don’t buy it, or if you do make sure it’s at a good reduced price so when you come to sell it you can sell it at a reduced price too.
Other things I found were safety for kids, risk of slipping, if you hurt your feet for whatever reason you have to climb steps just to get into your house.
Bid advantage - flood defence, good exercise, quirky, people wont bother you if they have to climb lots of steps.
Personally I liked my house with lots of steps (about about 12 steep ones) but a lot of people didn’t.

phoebe1989seb

We did

It's a 400 year old cottage built over an undercroft. Four steps up from street level, then a further three on the path to the front of the building plus another one as you approach the porch.

We like quirky, it was a very good price being a repo....but agree it will no doubt be a bit *niche* when we come to sell!

trailingspouse

We have a full set of steps up to the back door (front door is at ground level). Never crossed my mind to think it was a problem. And yes, I carry shopping up from the drive to the kitchen every week.

What's the difference between walking up steps outside and walking up stairs on the inside? There's a handrail. Mind you, with three sets of stairs on the inside, anyone who doesn't like steps won't be looking at our house anyway!

I actually see it as a positive from a security point of view - anyone trying to get into our back door can be seen very well indeed, from three sides!

Dean000000

Had a house like this

Pro: didn’t need net curtains or blinds or any privacy. Was nice and bright

Cons....walking up them....

Felt removed from the road which was nice from a security point of view

xzibit

The house is truly nice inside and a great modern layout (house is 2 years old). No way to change the access.

Having elderly relatives to visit would be one of the inconveniences, along with moving furniture and appliances in/out, and need to access the garden with and landscaping materials from the street, ice on steps etc.

To be honest I think the house would offset the inconveniences, but the big one for me is how hard it could be to sell in the future. I grew up in a house with steps up to the front door so maybe why that's why I'd cope.

timeism0ney

Wouldn't worry me personally but I would still expect a discounted price because of it.