House or Flat?

[Deleted User]

eidand said:

clearly the house,
one note here, it cannot be 830 sqm unless you're buying a decent size castle!

Sorry I meant to say 71 m2 flat vs 83m2 the house with 5x12m dimension back garden and 5x3m dimension front garden.

[Deleted User]

House 100% 

Have a look through this forum at all the "struggling to sell my flat" threads and it'll give you an indication as to how little re-sale value they have. 

cattie

Deleted_User said:

House 100% 

Have a look through this forum at all the "struggling to sell my flat" threads and it'll give you an indication as to how little re-sale value they have. 

That's rather a silly statement. Flats on the whole most certainly do not have a low resale value. A lot of new built flats might struggle to sell in the current market but thats because they were bought at a premium price & when they come to sell vendors need to be more market aware when deciding what a realistic price they can expect will be. Also ex council flats can be harder to sell due to the possibility of being lumbered with large maintenance, service & repair bills by the local authority.

Yes a house is a better buy for a young family as you have the possibility of extending if necessary, plus you'll have no service charges to pay. Plus it's great for children to have a garden to play in.

Privately owned flats have more appeal to young professionals or older people downsizing who don't want the hassle of a garden or of having to sort out their own maintenance

sweetsand

Dear OP
No one else has mentioned some of what I will post.
Never mind the service charges on an apartment, they could sky rocket and there could be big expenses down the line, EG repalcement of a lift, windows, roof, etc could easily land you a bill of thousands.

Then there is a bigger negative IMHO as I've been to many people houses adn apartments via works needs. If next door smokes, does smelly food or the one above or below does it, you will get those smells. Corridors hold smells of cigatrres and you only need one heavy smoker near you. Then there is the issue of nosie as you could be disturbed or you could disturb the people below, above, left and right sides of you. Then the carry of shopping from your car the distance. Then possible drunks in the corridors main door.
We have a rental just one apartment but the service charges keep on going up - I'd only buy one in central london overlooking bucking palace etc and even then I would need a house to back up.
The house is in a 44% social housing area and in my experience when i woyked for a coucil visiting people, it only takes one or two families to trash the area and it happens on most estates even gated ones in london as some if not all councils insisted on a percentage of new hosuing being so-called affordable.

Having stated the above, the house you looked at appears to be the best bet
x

Majoggy

Most of the people posting will suggest you go for the house. 

As I live in London the only houses I could afford would be in very undesirable areas on the outskirts. 

I really enjoy living in our flat, we barely hear the neighbours and it's very well maintained for a reasonable price. But if I could afford a house in a similar location, I'd live there.

HummingBird76

I have lived in my flat for 12 years, only just moving out now (to a house).  Its in a nice area and the rooms are actually bigger than the rooms in my new house.  I've loved it, but moving on because I just feel its time.  As for the whole re-sale thing, I didn't think I would get much for it, and hoped for, at the most, £120k.  The day I put it on the market, I booked 9 viewings, the day after a further 8.  On day 2 of being on the market, I got 2 offers, one was for £130k.  Naturally, I snapped that up and was able to afford a lovely house that I am super excited about moving into.  It really is a personal preference.  When I first moved in, I was on my own and wanted a flat because I wanted to have neighbours around me (as a sort of comfort).  Now I'm ready for a house because really, I want a garden and my own drive!  There are pros and cons for both and ultimately, it really is a decision only you can make.

[Deleted User]

cattie said:

Deleted_User said:

House 100% 

Have a look through this forum at all the "struggling to sell my flat" threads and it'll give you an indication as to how little re-sale value they have. 

That's rather a silly statement. Flats on the whole most certainly do not have a low resale value. A lot of new built flats might struggle to sell in the current market but thats because they were bought at a premium price & when they come to sell vendors need to be more market aware when deciding what a realistic price they can expect will be. Also ex council flats can be harder to sell due to the possibility of being lumbered with large maintenance, service & repair bills by the local authority.

Yes a house is a better buy for a young family as you have the possibility of extending if necessary, plus you'll have no service charges to pay. Plus it's great for children to have a garden to play in.

Privately owned flats have more appeal to young professionals or older people downsizing who don't want the hassle of a garden or of having to sort out their own maintenance

Well that was all a bit pointless! You started off saying its a silly statement then went on to write two reasons which basically proves my point.  

I've read about 2 or 3 threads just this week from people struggling to sell flats. 

davidmcn

Deleted_User said:

cattie said:

Deleted_User said:

House 100% 

Have a look through this forum at all the "struggling to sell my flat" threads and it'll give you an indication as to how little re-sale value they have. 

That's rather a silly statement. Flats on the whole most certainly do not have a low resale value. A lot of new built flats might struggle to sell in the current market but thats because they were bought at a premium price & when they come to sell vendors need to be more market aware when deciding what a realistic price they can expect will be. Also ex council flats can be harder to sell due to the possibility of being lumbered with large maintenance, service & repair bills by the local authority.

Yes a house is a better buy for a young family as you have the possibility of extending if necessary, plus you'll have no service charges to pay. Plus it's great for children to have a garden to play in.

Privately owned flats have more appeal to young professionals or older people downsizing who don't want the hassle of a garden or of having to sort out their own maintenance

I've read about 2 or 3 threads just this week from people struggling to sell flats. 

We also regularly get threads from people struggling to sell houses. I don't think the sweeping generalisations being made on this thread are all that helpful. Much depends on local factors, the neighbourhood, type of construction, etc.

sweetsand

Majoggy said:

Most of the people posting will suggest you go for the house. 

As I live in London the only houses I could afford would be in very undesirable areas on the outskirts. 

I really enjoy living in our flat, we barely hear the neighbours and it's very well maintained for a reasonable price. But if I could afford a house in a similar location, I'd live there.

It has been a privilege to read your post as it is rare to read such an open and honest post. Thank you.

bucksbloke

For me, house every time. 
Did you say £2100 per annum for the service charge. I would be expecting them to have a free gym for that kind of money.