Best Approach To Buy Garage?

ptee

Hello, I'm hoping for a bit of advice from someone if possible?
We live in a victorian terrace house and the only parking we have is outside the back of the house. The houses that run across the bottom of our street have a think strip of land over the road whic some have garages on and others just parking spaces or gardens.

There's a garage at the bottom of our street which is unused from what I can tell. The windows are smashed, frames rotten, roof a bit tatty but it's stone built and the walls look sound.
I think it belongs to the house opposite where an old lady lives (i think on her own) who doesnt have car.

So, I was wondering if maybe she would be interested in selling this bit of land with the garage on, but I'm not sure the best way to approach the question.
The land is just the width of a single garage and enough space in front to park a car (maybe 15m x 4m at a guess)
I know most of our neighbours well enough to talk to but I've never spoken to this lady so I'm a bit wary of just knocking on the door and saying do you want to sell me your garage over there?

I did think about asking the other neighbours if they knew her well enough to give me some ideas but I don't want them to sneak in and grab the garage before me if she's willing to sell.

Any advice on the best way to approach this, is there a "proper" way to do it? I've never done anything like this before, eek!

Also, any idea how much it would be worth? We're in west yorkshire. (i know it's a bit of a how longs a piece of string question, just want a rough idea)

Cheers
Ptee

PasturesNew

For price, look on RightMove.
Most areas around the country a single garage/parking space will cost £10-20k.

Typing West Yorkshire into Rightmove, the cheapest single garage is £10k
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-15981946.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

Mandark

I'd just go knock on the door and ask. Obviously try not to come across as pushy or aggressive when speaking to her. You could offer to pay for a land valuer for her.

But...if I was her I wouldn't sell. Garage space land is very valuable these days and a new owner could always rebuild it. I think that most advisers would tell her not to sell so don't build up your hopes.

PasturesNew

Mandark wrote: »

But...if I was her I wouldn't sell. Garage space land is very valuable these days and a new owner could always rebuild it. I think that most advisers would tell her not to sell so don't build up your hopes.

I'd have said that except the OP said the lady was old and didn't use it. Maybe she'd welcome the cash. The house having/not having a garage is an issue for who she leaves the house to.... and if I were her I'd like the £10-20k now so I could enjoy it, not leave it to ungrateful beggars to benefit.

ptee

Thanks for the replies.

I'd fully understand if she didn't want to sell, I wouldn't if it were me but then I'd be using it.
The strip of land is actually twice the size of the bit I'd like and did have another garage opposite which ended up falling down after rotting away over the years so could still have a garage and parking space to sell on with the house.
I guess the only way to find out is to ask, just don't want to seem rude in asking, maybe I'll send the wife round with some cupcakes and get her to ask ;O)
I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Mandark

Good luck!