Unsure what I want, plus couple of houses opinions requested

danlightbulb

markin wrote: »

I discounted that house when looking based on it not being able to have a flat drive, And it looking a bit short for one anyway. At the the path the services will be deep but they will likely follow the slope so you could have a sloped drive and maybe shave off a foot but it would still be quite steep. If the sewer or power is below the front garden it gets very expensive, Gas and water are easier to change and place deeper under a drive, you also could expose the house foundations limiting how deep you can go also.


But then it looks like both houses next door did it.

Neighbour on right is already level with road, doesnt look like much excavation would have been required. This means he can get car closer to house right near the wall.

Neighbour on left has made retaining wall which limits the length available significantly.

I have a long car, 5m mondeo estate. Its gonna be tough to get it to fit.

Or do I make a drive at the rear. Just dont know whether I could put up with that every day.

danlightbulb

Hi again all.

Im still evaluating this bungalow. Have put the driveway issue to one side for now and just started thinking about whether there are any other layout issues.

I was just thinking about the kitchen. I wouldn't need to do much for a few years, its perfectly functional. The room is almost a perfect square but has doors on three of its sides and just one small window near the corner. The layout is roughly as per the below image.



There is reasonable room for base and wall units, and enough space for dishwasher and washing machine. However the three doors on three walls (none can be moved or closed off) do appear to break up the continuity somewhat and leave quite a large area of redundant space in the middle.

I'd love to hear some ideas how the layout might be improved. The squareness of the room must present some better options that the current layout? Anyone love playing with kitchen planners? :j

Thanks!

polki

We moved to a bungalow a few years' ago and find it so versatile. I really do think this would be a good deal for you.

I would try to reduce the number of doors in the kitchen. We have a similar size kitchen but only have one door from the hallway. This probably wouldn't suit you, but I would look to see if I could remove the door to the rear lounge. I would use bedroom 3 as my dining/study room and move the access to the lounge from that room.

The use of glass panelled doors from the lounge and hallway would throw more light into the dining room/study. I don't think you need to rush this but a possible solution for the future.

Sorry I don't do drawings, but I hope this makes sense. Good luck.

getmore4less

What has happened to the need for a secure storage/workshop space near the house for the bikes?

That bungalow it won't be easy to achieve, maybe on the side.
Along with ripping out the front garden to get parking you are starting to create quite a project.

danlightbulb

polki wrote: »

I would try to reduce the number of doors in the kitchen. We have a similar size kitchen but only have one door from the hallway. This probably wouldn't suit you, but I would look to see if I could remove the door to the rear lounge. I would use bedroom 3 as my dining/study room and move the access to the lounge from that room.

Thanks. I'm not sure it would work well in this layout. First it would definitively turn the house into a 2 bed until such a time as a future loft conversion could be done which would then keep it as a 3 bed. That would be many many years away unless I was able to do it DIY. Second it would put the access door to the living room right down the sofa end, would be a bit intrusive there.

getmore4less wrote: »

What has happened to the need for a secure storage/workshop space near the house for the bikes?

That bungalow it won't be easy to achieve, maybe on the side.
Along with ripping out the front garden to get parking you are starting to create quite a project.

I'm trying to consider what compromises I'm willing to make to get a good house. It is difficult. Isn't it inevitable that I end up with a project, because I wouldn't be able to stretch to getting such a house in an already fully completed state, as is obvious from my searching so far?

Chandler85

French doors off the lounge extension thing and then remove the exterior door from the kitchen.


If you really want, put underfloor heating in (you can self install water or electric (except the last bit)) and save radiator on the wall room as well.

markin

I think i would put the sink at the window, washer and dish washer where the sink is, and scrap all the others apart from along the wall with the oven, and have a big table that can act like an island for baking.

danlightbulb

I viewed the second bungalow tonight.

Its pretty decent. High ceilings in all the rooms, good sized rooms. Kitchen isn't as narrow as it looks in the photos and has a reasonable utility area at the back. Perfectly useable.

Aside from decor, condition seems pretty good. Recent boiler, decent kitchen units, no damp or mould anywhere, perfectly functional bathroom with shower cubicle but there is room to put a shower bath in instead.

Structurally brickwork all looks in good condition. Windows are a mix of upvc and wood/aluminium combo, not as thick as modern double glazing units, all look to be in good condition though.

External garage is a prefab construction but looks solid, plenty of storage.

I would say the layout and condition is better than the first bungalow. Nothing would need immediately doing and I could just focus on getting some furniture and just doing the decoration. However it has noticeably less space inside, being a 2 bed and with the other one having that large rear living room extension.

Unfortunately I'm also not keen on the steepness and narrowness of the side driveway. I'd fit my car on but it would be quite awkward to get into and off the driveway onto that main road.

GDB2222

danlightbulb wrote: »

Unfortunately I'm also not keen on the steepness and narrowness of the side driveway. I'd fit my car on but it would be quite awkward to get into and off the driveway onto that main road.

You can fix most things that are wrong with a property, except the location.

Kiki_2298

Have you found a house yet?