Advice for FTB!

jatt

Hi Everybody,

I am a first time buyer and would like to know about few things which are giving me some bother.

I am using upmystreet to compare house price trends and neighbourhood ranking for the properties I like. I am unsure how much weightage should I give to information on the website particularly when it shows large variations in neighbourhood ranking or house prices in very closeby streets.

How can I find out about issues like whether there are any developments planned nearby, Anti-social behaviour, Crime or Neighbour issues?

Thanks in advance

carolt

I'd strongly recommend renting in an are you wish to buy in first - nothing beats first-hand experience. Or failing that, drive round the area late on a Saturday night and look out the car window. We nearly bought a house but happened to be driving past on our way somewhere one pleasant Saturday afternoon. When we spotted a small group of teens throwing stones at an old couple going into the park (our only route into the town centre/station), funnily enough, I became rather less enamoured of said house......:rolleyes:

jatt

Hi

Thanks for sharing ur experience.

I was also thinking on those lines but still unsure about using upmystreet.

Regards

PasturesNew

carolt wrote: »

I'd strongly recommend renting in an are you wish to buy in first - nothing beats first-hand experience.

I am doing this. There is a road I thought I wanted to live in, so I am renting here. I have gone right off it for many reasons. Scallies use a footpath that wasn't evident that comes onto this road and behind it and a cut through to get up to the next estate; not near enough to supermarkets; not near enough to a pub; not near enough to a takeaway/chippy. I never thought most of these were THAT important until I moved in.

carolt wrote: »

Or failing that, drive round the area late on a Saturday night and look out the car window. We nearly bought a house but happened to be driving past on our way somewhere one pleasant Saturday afternoon. When we spotted a small group of teens throwing stones at an old couple going into the park (our only route into the town centre/station), funnily enough, I became rather less enamoured of said house......:rolleyes:

Yes, I had a house once where drunks went past from midnight to 4am every night, keeping me awake. And there were continuous acts of mindless vandalism occurring overnight.

I wouldn't restrict it to Saturday nights. Also, try walking around after dark on your own. How do you feel?

Speak to the local police. See if they can give you a heads up on where to avoid.

Google road names for convictions/crimes/problems.

jatt

Can I ask, Should I be worried about house price trends of any prospective property as shown on upmystreet website.

Thanks

myshoetalk

Thanks for your experience.