Chalet bungalows - why are they cheaper?

StandingInTheSun

We've recently seen around 3-4 chalet bungalows on the market (all conversions rather than original) and every single one is going for 30-50,000 less than non-chalet bungalows, even on the same street and built around the same time.

Our simple question is why? Chalets seem like a great idea, what with the extra space, but is there a catch? Why would a chalet be worth less than an identical bungalow with no conversion?

hazyjo

Have you compared the insides and locations?

Do the conversions meet regs and are signed off? If not they may just be classed as glorified boarded lofts.

AdrianC

Simple. Supply and demand.

They are neither fish nor fowl - they aren't one-storey houses, and they're compromised as two-storey ones.
People who want bungalows don't necessarily want two-storey houses
People who want two-storey houses don't necessarily want a bungalow with some loft rooms.

Do you have a couple of example RM links, and we can see how the comparison's actually panning out?

gab3x

They are not fashionable ATM. If you like it then buy it, great value for money.

Just do a check that there is no other reason (smaller inside in m2, close to rail or busy road etc).

Soot2006

Think it depends where you are. Here, they seem to be priced "as expected" for their size and conditions and location. Definitely no cheaper than same sized equivalents and much more expensive than unconverted bungalows.

Scotbot

They are cheaper than bungalows with the same floor space because they can occupy much smaller plots. Generally they are not as well insulated as 2 storey houses and often smaller. A comprimise all round

Redwino222

Where I live they tend to be dated - 1970s.  They also tend to have slopped roofs upstairs, sometime poor insulation up there and sometimes the bathroom is still downstairs.

oh and no or limited loft space so less storage 

But each house will be different 

StandingInTheSun

Redwino222 said:

Where I live they tend to be dated - 1970s.  They also tend to have slopped roofs upstairs, sometime poor insulation up there and sometimes the bathroom is still downstairs.

oh and no or limited loft space so less storage 

But each house will be different 

The one we're looking at has all of those issues. Poor insulation (but easily fixed), the converted upstairs rooms head space isn't great once you move away from the centre as they are sloped (not so easily fixed?) and the main bathroom is downstairs. 

I'm just wondering whether those issues alone are the reason for the lower prices. 

Redwino222

I can’t think of any other universal issues which would reduce the price. 

But these seem big enough on their own😊

I suppose they do have a stigma because of these issues. Some people (me included) rule them out without even looking - this dampens price too.

daveyjp

If its a conversion you need space for the staircase, this can compromise downstairs rooms.

You can end up with a 3-4 bed property, but a ground floor with less space than the original 2 bed yet more people to accommodate.

GDB2222

StandingInTheSun said:

Redwino222 said:

Where I live they tend to be dated - 1970s.  They also tend to have slopped roofs upstairs, sometime poor insulation up there and sometimes the bathroom is still downstairs.

oh and no or limited loft space so less storage 

But each house will be different 

The one we're looking at has all of those issues. Poor insulation (but easily fixed), the converted upstairs rooms head space isn't great once you move away from the centre as they are sloped (not so easily fixed?) and the main bathroom is downstairs. 

I'm just wondering whether those issues alone are the reason for the lower prices. 

Are you really saying what I think you are saying? You can find two bungalows built exactly the same originally, and on comparable plots. One has had a loft conversion, and it's actually cheaper than the unconverted one?

Perhaps you could post a couple of links please?