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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for insights re this house?

131 replies

LookingForDreamHouse · 29/05/2011 11:23

After MNers' positive and insightful recommendations re MistressPloppys house options, may I indulge you one more time to please help me out here?

We are about to buy our first house and due to limited funds, we have 90% settled on this;

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/new-homes/property-31870139.html?premiumA=true

It's not a forever home. We are happy to live here for a few years until we are able to afford our dream home. It's a much better alternative to paying rent in excess of 2k a month.

I like it because its new, modern, and we have a blank canvass to decorate. There are young families there, a lovely playground, good schools and beautiful views of the golf course and equestrian center.

However, I am having second thoughts because I have not lived in a "development" before and I am worried about what the area may become 3 or 4 years down the line.

  • Is it a good investment?
  • Will the value be preserved in years to come?
  • Is there a risk of the development becoming like an "estate"?
  • Will it be quick to sell, years down the line, if we decide to move or find our forever home?

I would be very grateful if you could kindly offer pros and cons for this house.

Thank you.

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 29/05/2011 11:45

I wouldnt.

There are too many downsides that would really start to grate after a short time. The parking will drive you MENTAL, trust me on this. Its one of thise things that you think will be ok but will grate on a daily basis and will affect your ability to sell. The balcony and the kitchen and lounge on different floors are both very impractical with a toddler.

I would keep looking as I think that you could end up really regretting this one, especially as you are looking to move again in the short term. There is a really good chance that you will stuggle to sell and then you are stuck with it.

Buy something "vanilla", its boring but it will sell!

MyFace · 29/05/2011 11:47

Hi

I notice the house is made by countryside properties. I used to live in a flat made by countryside properties and I would not recommend it at all. The quality of the material used to build the walls and doors inside the house was appalling. I hated everything about it. I wouldn't buy from them tbh (esp. at that price, daylight robbery!). HTH!

Original poster
LookingForDreamHouse · 29/05/2011 11:47

Bogeyface...."vanilla"...whats that? :)

OP posts:
onlion · 29/05/2011 11:48

I had a new build for a while. Hated it. I was so unhappy in that house.

Mollydollydoll · 29/05/2011 11:48

It's nice but doesn't have much character for me. But if you like it that's all that matters but if your not sure don't do it.

Original poster
LookingForDreamHouse · 29/05/2011 11:49

MyFace

Really? Sad That's horrible. I guess my search has to start all over again...Thanks for that info.

OP posts:
UrsulaBuffay · 29/05/2011 11:49

Move out of London & that money will buy you a massive forever house. To me spending that on a development is crazy

Bogeyface · 29/05/2011 11:54

The term "vanilla" derives from the use of vanilla extract as the basic flavouring for ice cream, and by extension, meaning "plain" or "conventional".

It actually is used to describe sex alot but I thought it fitted here!

I guess regarding houses you could say "magnolia" instead!

Original poster
LookingForDreamHouse · 29/05/2011 11:55

Ok, guys, what about this? Its a second option.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-15320238.html

Its our second option...I have not been to view it but I love the conservatory, hate the kitchen and we'll have to spend more money redoing the kitchen and the rooms (painting and wardrobes).

OP posts:
UrsulaBuffay · 29/05/2011 11:56

MUCH better

Bogeyface · 29/05/2011 11:56

Much much nicer :)

I like that alot and ok so the kitchen is a wee bit dated but its a good size and changing the doors would make a huge difference.

I think it is far superior to the other one!

Original poster
LookingForDreamHouse · 29/05/2011 11:59

Gahhhh!!! Its a nightmare I tell you. House hunting....I've been at this for 4 months and I'm running out of time. Our tenancy expires in December and I have to find one we'll love and be happy in.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 29/05/2011 11:59

Second one is far nicer, although again, I wouldnt pay those prices. I would move 20 miles and save 200k.

UrsulaBuffay · 29/05/2011 12:02

You'll want to spend a lot on either of them doing them up, new builds are notorious for cracking.

The first one just looks like a pretend house made out of cardboard to me, but I love old houses.

I just can't get my head around those prices at all!

WriterofDreams · 29/05/2011 12:02

That second one is miles and miles better dreamhouse. The first one is more suitable for a family without kids, the second one is a family house and far more practical. I know the kitchen isn't great but if it's not your forever house could you put up with it? Painting and wardrobes isn't a huge expense, whereas redoing the kitchen would add a lot more to the cost. You should go to view it and see how it feels - I'm in the process of buying a house and the one we've settled on looked shite on paper but was perfect in person, whereas the ones I liked on paper didn't feel at all right in person.

BTW if you only have one child, why do you need 4 bedrooms?

steamedtreaclesponge · 29/05/2011 12:03

Yep, the second one is waaay better. I think it'll hold its value better too.

Original poster
LookingForDreamHouse · 29/05/2011 12:06

WriterofDreams

Thanks....the rooms, one for me, one for partner, one for our child, one will be guestroom or if we have another baby. I'll schedule a viewing in the coming week....maybe it will feel right...the kitchen MUST go though :) Its my refuge and has to feel extra comfortable :)

OP posts:
dwpanxt · 29/05/2011 12:09

Lovely open plan design ,beautifully staged.

I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.

The site looks very cramped.How much private outside space is there?

All the stair climbing would drive me mad.

Plus what Bogeyface said.

soverylucky · 29/05/2011 12:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WomanwiththeYellowHat · 29/05/2011 12:10

DOn't normally join in these things but the second one is just so so much more likely to be a real home where you get to enjoy being with a toddler and watching them grow up, if only for a few years. I think the town house will become really stressful once you can't see what your child is up to because you are in the kitchen etc, and you will also miss some of the fun Smile.

We had a kitchen like the 2nd house has in our old house - changed the doors, painted the walls, new appliances and it was unrecognisable.

WriterofDreams · 29/05/2011 12:12

BTW if you're going to change the kitchen anyway would you consider getting a more run down house that is much cheaper and needs a little bit more "love"? When we were looking we saw a load of houses very similar to your second one - fairly high in price (for our price bracket) but needing a bit of doing up. In the end we settled for one that is much much much lower in price that still needs doing up, but now we have the money left over to do it up really well and to a high standard :) Remember any money in the mortgage accrues interest so over the life of a mortgage (approx 25 years) at a low rate of interest (about 4%) and extra £5000 costs you a further £5000 in interest. Sobering thinking when you're comparing two houses.

dwpanxt · 29/05/2011 12:16

Note to self;
don't wander off mid writing replies Blush

Second house is much better for a family . Fantastic amount of space on the ground floor.

Laquitar · 29/05/2011 12:24

I think it will be hard to sell it. If someone is going to buy this style will buy new one, off site, as developers are desperate and offer good deals.

The area is lovely and i think you can find something better.

libelulle · 29/05/2011 12:28

All i can say is that I wish I was in the 'nightmare' situation of having 'limited funds' of 670 grand while waiting to find my 'forever dream house' in hampstead! Great that you have this dilemma but really I think you should reconsider your choice of terms that acknowledge that you have at least some sense that you are in an enviable position! Fwiw I think house no 1 is grim, house no 2 - I'd move in tomorrow. I'm sure you'll manage to live with the kitchen Hmm

Waltons · 29/05/2011 12:35

The roof on the main house and particularly on the lean-to extension second conservatory look a bit dodgy. Go to Google earth and zoom in on it - dead useful for checking out roof problems, chimneys etc.

If that is OK then you just have a fair bit of decorating to do upstairs - all very sad and neglected. No pics of the bathrooms makes me suspicious ...

I wouldn't change the kitchen as a priority - small kids have way of beating things up and I think you may find there are other priorities for your cash.

Think about how you're going to block off the stairs - they're a lot wider than an average stairgate by the looks of things. Maybe swap the family room for the lounge?

You're going to need to replace some fencing if it is your boundary. If not you'll have to persuade next door to do the job. And you need to like gardening - I can't believe they "staged" so much of the house and then left a great pile of leaves in the middle of the garden. I bet the garden is a complete wreck when you see the whole thing.

Otherwise I think it's a huge improvement. Careful with the price though - it looks quite steep.

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