Advice on Quirky Property for First-Time Buyers

user1977

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044552#Comment_82044552

Sure, but this is a through road (apparently without a convenient diversion), not just a cul-de-sac with a few neighbours on it. Though judging from Streetview traffic in general in the village seems problematic.

BungalowBel

I think it would be a lovely house, but I would check if it is possible to get the car in and out of the garage easily. Do the present owners keep their car in there? Where does everyone else park?

Murphybear

Bypasses can be a pain in the neck. When we lived in South Devon we found out there was a bypass that had been approved following nearly 60 years of locals petitioning. 🙀

They started building it and it took 3 years.

On the bright side it made going to Torquay a lot easier when it was finished 😹

FreeBear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044418#Comment_82044418

It is solid stone wall construction. Judging by the door/window reveals, very thick stone walls. Although…. The walls below the bedroom windows look to be much thinner. Might need to investigate and possibly plan on fitting insulation. Thick stone walls have pretty good thermal properties and store a lot of heat - That means slow to heat up during the winter, but also slow to cool down.

TroubledTarts

This is definitely a heart over head home, a lot of good suggestions already for you to mull over like parking and how small a car you might need to utilise the garage.

Dont worry about deliveries, everyone gets mail and royal mail vans stop where they like, so do Amazon, evri and grocery shopping deliveries it's just an expected thing even on single width roads people have to show some patience.

As long as you consider the pub changing hands with live music, have some spare money for issues and ongoing issues and the hassle you may have having cmdoubke yellow lines outside for people visiting then all good.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044559#Comment_82044559

It also looks like the through road(s) won't have junctions with the bypass, so traffic to/from the north of the village currently using this street will go on using the street after the bypass is constructed.

If traffic queuing at the junction extends more than about three or four vehicles then there will be idling vehicles outside the sitting room windows and below the bedroom windows, in addition to traffic sorting itself out in two-way flow on a road more suited to one-way.

Although it has some of the characteristics of a quiet cul-de-sac, viewing at peak traffic times would be a must.

In addition, although the bypass is likely to be used by through traffic heading East, it isn't clear to me that through traffic on the main 'A' road is going to use the bypass in preference to the existing more direct route.

WIAWSNB

Hi bewwies.

"There is a notoriously busy road through the village centre (Banwell) which is a bottleneck of traffic on A38. A long awaited bypass is due to be completed in spring 2027. There will be a development nearby of over 2000 houses."

I imagine that the bypass will be utterly transformative, both to the quality of life in that village, and also to the value of the house - both positive.

The new development will obviously also have an effect, but it could - most likely will - be 'beneficial' as much as to any detriment to the village. If it is nicely on the outskirts then it shouldn't affect the village's ambiance at all. Except in potentially nice ways - more custom, more use of local shops - leading to them improving - the opening of cafés, a new primary school, more medical facilities - that sort of stuff, which should be of benefit to the villagers, whilst not impacting on them in any obviously negative way. Of course, that will depend on things like the location of these houses, what other facilities are being promised/provided by the developer, and what else is proposed for that area. But, as long as the development doesn't directly impact the village in, say, a visual sense, then it 'should' be largely positive.

Yes, check out the pub! Again, you'd hope - if needed - it would improve due to the increase in homes and development.

The house itself - wow. Love it. But, yes, running and maintenance costs will be significantly higher than with a modern house.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044489#Comment_82044489

Do you know where?

Myci85

Those who are mentioning the clutter and how it may negatively impact a sale...I found photos from presumably the last time it sold, and it looked quite soulless compared to its current look!

lincroft1710

2000 new homes means 5/6,000 extra people, the village will triple in size, will there be a proper infrastructure?

The house doesn't look that special and plenty of disadvantages already mentioned.

I like quirky, but this one just spells money pit