Cant Decide which house to buy

zeeww_2

Hi,
i am buying new build in a new development. that development area consists of 2 builders, whom both offers many choices of house.

i am looking at a 3 bedroom house, for the same price, i get a 3 bedroom semi-detached from 1 builder, and on the other builder, i get a 3 bedroom corner plot (a row of 3 house, 2 corners, 1 middle), both have garages, gardens and of similar design.

both builders are selling houses at the same price, i am inclined to go for the 3 bed semi-detached, because it's a semi, i would think it will hold its value abit more. the other builder's corner plot 3 bedroom house is 50 sq ft larger in build-up area, but other than that, the house is of similar design to the semi-detached from their competitors.

i am a FTB so i dont know whether for the same price, should i go for the semi-detached, or go for the corner plot terraced that have 50sq more space. (the 3 bed corner plot have larger rooms due to different orientation, but do not have a separate dining, where as the 3 bed semi-detached has a dining). both houses are within 400 yds apart, within the same development, and have house orientation, i.e. south facing garden.

any advice appreciated... many thanks

kunekune

Can you put up a link to the site with floor plans, etc? Three bed houses sell to families, so how practical it is matters. Bear in mind that the end of a terrace of three is effectively a semi-detached anyway. Around here, an end terrace with good sized rooms may fetch more than a semi.

Cazza

Without wishing to sound really judgemental have you checked where the social housing areas are located on the development? This can have quite an impact on the value or resaleability of the property so it's worth bearing in mind!

firesidemaid

also, it depends what kind of deals you can get on them.

what discounts, extras etc you may be able to negotiate eg. will one of them look more appealing if it is a few grand cheaper?

zeeww_2

thanks for the replies...

the 3 bed semi-detached looks like this http://www.dwh.co.uk/plots/H16930153#tab=floors

the 3 bed end terrace looks like this http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-16778788.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

as for housing association, there are 3 HA allocated for david wilson's area (3 bed semi-detached), but it's built on another part of the development, near the apartments, led in by another road. the house i am interested is in a cul-de-sac, surrounded by 4-5 bed detaches, which hae our own dedicated access from main road.....

there are 16 HA allocated for the Barratt's development (3 bed end-terrace), and they are built near the main entrance into the estate. the house is surrounded by a mixture of same design terraces + some detaches (not in a cul-de-sac), sharing the same main road access as the HA allocations. (bearing in mind barratts got the bigger share - more houses to build in the whole estate than david wilson, so hence the 16-3 ratio of HA)
does significant HA allocation pose a possible resaleability problem??

as for deals, both are on the same price, and i am considering their DreamStart (75/25) scheme, so both offers the same extra, i.e. white goods, stamp duty, carpets etc etc.

the only difference between the 2 houses, is the 3 bed semi detached is completed with kitchen fitted, just carpet is not fitted yet... i like the kitchen and bathroom as they fitted so it's not a problem.
the 3 bed end-terrace is currently just finished being roofed, so if the buyer reserved now, he can customise the interior of the house, i.e. lights, kitchen worktop selection, tiles..e.tc, however, might need to pay more for those.
like for like comparison, the end-terrace will have the same spec as the semi-detached.

Davesnave

There's a few other things to consider too:

garden - probably not much on today's new builds, but will it be overlooked or is one a better size/shape?

development potential - is there any? (roof space, side space, place for conservatory etc.)

location on the estate road network - ends of cul de sacs better for kids

as above - you're a FTB and hold all the cards at the moment as the new build market is stalling in many places, so what deals are to be done?

Cazza

does significant HA allocation pose a possible resaleability problem??


Not significant, but just something that can put some people off! If one house was surrounded by HA and the other was miles away, it might influence some people, but doesn't sound as though there's any difference. FYI, David Wilson are now owned by Barratt, they were bought out last year. I have heard that David Wilson designs and builds can be better quality and are nicer designs, but I don't personally have a clue about how to build a house and what to look for!

zeeww_2

thanks for the replies

development potential are similar, as the garages are attached to the side, so in case i want to convert the garage into a room, then on the semi-detached it will next to the dining, whereas on the end-terrace, it will be next to the living room.
garden are similar and square shape on both, both allowing space for conservatories if needed. and also, both gardens are overlooked by the property behind us, the difference is that on the semi-detached, the dining & kitchen faces the garden.... as oppose to the end-terrace's living room faces the garden.
not much roof space on both as 2nd floor is a master ensuite bedroom.
location, semi-detached is in a cul-de-sac surround by all 4-5 bed detaches... will that help to hold it's value more??
the end-terrace is on the side of an access road... surrounded by same design terraces and some detaches.

they wouldn't budge on prices (because it's on the 75/25 scheme) but they'll throw in white goods, carpets etc... the offers are same on both. but it seems that the houses on both development are selling too, i've been there every weekend for 3 weeks now...

i am wondering whether both the houses will hold their value due to the factors that i've posted here?

stmidwife

Just from my point of view I wouldn't be too happy accessing the downstairs toilet via the dining room. On the other hand, being on a corner plot gives you a larger garden and also the chance to extend to the side.

Best of luck.

Cazza

I personally might prefer the cul de sac. They'll be less passing traffic than on the access road and might therefore be better for children if you or a future purchaser has children.

Otherwise - which property do YOU actually like more? Taking the invesment part out of it, you're buying a home to live in too!

zeeww_2

i know DWH is owned by Barratts, and i am positive that they might even share same contractors on site... reflected by similar prices on their new builds... i've heard from people mentioning DWH have better quality and design, but after being bought-out, hopefully the quality will also uplift barratts'...
and is a cul-de-sac position better than on an access roadside?