Sold every 2-4 years??

[Hyperion100]

How concerned would you be about a house that jas sold every 2-4 years since 2007?

Going for 2nd viewing today. It looks nice, well maintained, nice road, no obvious sources of noise, 4 bed, east london.

I'm worried that nobody seems to stick around for any period of time.

Hmmmmm??

[Beamur]

I would be concerned. That's odd.

[emilybrontescorsett]

Have you asked why they are moving?
It does seem strange that nobody has stayed there for long. Can you find out when the next door neighbours moved in, if they are the same neighbours it might ring alarm bells, if not then less so.

[MrsCollinssettled]

Noise, neighbours, parking, lack of storage, relationship breakdown, school issues - could be any of these.

[PegasusReturns]

Is it an obvious “steppingstone” house as opposed to a forever house?

If it’s the sort of house you buy in your late twenties/early thirties then 2-3 years is not an unreasonably short period of time to stay somewhere.

[Hyperion100]

@PegasusReturns

Is it an obvious “steppingstone” house as opposed to a forever house?

If it’s the sort of house you buy in your late twenties/early thirties then 2-3 years is not an unreasonably short period of time to stay somewhere.

I dunno...its up for 700, 4 beds, double drive, 100ft garden.

I would expect that kind of house to keep people for longer.

We've been in our pokey 2.5 bed terrace with no parking for 9 years

[Hyperion100]

@emilybrontescorsett

Have you asked why they are moving?
It does seem strange that nobody has stayed there for long. Can you find out when the next door neighbours moved in, if they are the same neighbours it might ring alarm bells, if not then less so.

Little old dear on one side, the other side is also selling as they are returing to cornwall.

Cant imagine Doris is throwing wild parties.

[RaspberryToupee]

I was going to suggest it was a starter home for first time buyers but that’s not your usual FTB house! That’s odd. There’s something there. Have the other addresses on the street sold with the same frequency? That would suggest something like a smell or noise in the area. If some of the others have stayed for a while, it seems like it’s probably a neighbour.

[SpringFan]

It may be odd, and you are right to be concerned.
However, we have a house near us, where the builder of the small development lived until he had finished the work, and then sold, the couple who bought it moved quite quickly as he was transferred with his job, the next couple split up after a couple of years, I don't know about the next people, but the latest people have been here 5 or 6 years, possibly more. The houses nearby have changed hands once in 20 plus years.
The moves were nothing to do with the house or the area, but could you look at other houses in the road and see if they are also changing hands regularly?. Or maybe knock on doors and ask about the area/ ask in shop or pub if you can?

[justanotherneighinparadise]

Some houses are more prone to this depending on size, price, location, but not the sort of house you describe OP. I too would find it very odd.

I guess you could try and be nosy and talk to the next door neighbours or at the local shop/pub. Covid might make this more difficult though.

[Ihopeyourcakeisshit]

Have you asked why they are moving
But if an impertinent question really as well as a naive one.

[BrowncoatWaffles]

That would really worry me. No wild planning applications for developments or anything? I'd definitely pay out for the full survey just in case.

[emilybrontescorsett]

whenever I have sold/bought a house I have always asked or been asked the reason for moving, always.I
The type of house you describe would usually be a forever home so it does ring alarm bells. The fact that one side are selling means it's not due to bad neighbours. Perhaps it's co-incidence divorce is always a big player in house sales.

[FuglyHouse]

The little old lady next door may not be throwing wild parties, but she could be a nightmare neighbour in lots of other ways (nosiness, constant complaints etc.).

[ChicCroissant]

Was it definitely sold and not remortgaged?

[AmandaHugenkiss]

My one bedroom starter home has changed hands about every 4 years, but it’s that type of house.

Does “Doris” seem friendly? Tap on her door and work it in to conversation? Also a way to gauge if she’s a nutter.

[Ginger1982]

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit

Have you asked why they are moving
But if an impertinent question really as well as a naive one.

I don't think it is impertinent. When we sold our last house, viewers asked me that as they liked it so wondered why we were leaving. I lied and said we were moving to be nearer family rather than we were moving for more space. I agree you might have to accept you won't get a truthful answer!

[SquirtleSquad]

Between DH and I we were estate agents for nearly 30 years.. you can ask why they're moving all you want but it's unlikely you'll be told the complete truth if it's anything even slightly negative

I would assume all is not rosey..

[JacobReesMogadishu]

Doris might be a malicious, crazy old lady.

[Bootsuit]

Doris might be sweet as pie but some older people lose their hearing and blast the TV volume so loudly. Maybe they couldn't stick hearing Judge Rinder through their walls every day.

[Ellmau]

What school catchment?

[Zebrahooves]

I would be very concerned over this. Plus I don't think that anyone would tell you the reason that were moving if it was something negative to do with the area.

If Doris had her tv that loud, you would be able to hear it .

At the very least I would go round at different times of day etc, but with that history I would be tempted to look elsewhere.

[perfumeistooexpensive]

I'd be very suspicious. Do you know the area well. We have some beautiful modern homes built about 20 years ago here. They change hands every two years or less because nearby housing estates are full of anti social behaviour and drug dealing. These houses are an open invitation for theft.

[CeibaTree]

I think Doris is the problem here. I would be very wary.
Or is it near good school catchment and people move a bit further away once they get in the school?

[Jackparlabane]

So it's sold in 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and up for sale again? If it's in an area where prices have risen a lot, it could be simply someone bought it to do up and sell, and others have been cashing in on price rises. Add a divorce or two and it could easily be perfectly legit - but definitely get chatting to various neighbours!

[Welliesandpyjamas]

There is a house near us that is also seemingly sold every couple of years. Not a starter home, no obvious issues, stable neighbours.

Someone committed suicide within the property about 15 years ago. Long term residents exchange a knowing glance about the property every time a for sale sign goes up again.

I'm not a wooo person but it does make one think it is no coincidence.