AIBU to rule out a house due to an unattractive road?

[SunnySeaz]

Hello!
AIBU to rule out a house because the road isn’t that attractive?
The area is nice, location wise it’s great… it’s just this particular road is a bit ugly. A bit overly built up, lots of terrace houses etc. although the majority are well maintained it’s just generally getting a bit tired (40 ish years old I’d guess). Once you get to the end of the cul-de-sac, the house I’m considering is nice. It has a garage, driveway and opens to some green space. The house is as perfect as I’ll get for my budget but would driving down a less attractive road put you off?

Its possible that you have a lot of the 'original buyers' still there and in a few years they will have left then there will be new owners updating the houses

Have a look on Rightmove for sold prices and the local authority website to see if any have HMO licences

Our first house purchase was a terrace in an unattractive street not helped by chaotic parking. Some nice houses but some not. Street a bit scruffy with view on to the back of a parade of shops. But great location. Cheapest road for the postcode, basically. We avoided viewing houses in the street for a good 6 months. It was not long after Covid so the market was crazy and we were being outbid on everything. So we decided to give the street a try as we were running out of time and the location was good. Saw a nice house, bought it and stayed for a couple of years then sized up. Now in a bigger house with parking and in a nicer nearby road. I guess it depends if this is a long time purchase for you or not. If you have doubts about the road, is it likely you will grow to like it?

Thank you!
I’d like to not have to move again and make the next move a long term one.
I managed to talk to a couple next door but one as I walked past and they were really complimentary, they loved the road, said its quiet with nice people and have extended theirs so I guess they plan on sticking around!

Yes that’s a good point!

I’ve just checked for HMO’s, thank you! All clear :)

Not entirely the same situation but I have a nice enough council house but the area it's in is starting to make me want to move. It's run down, dirty and doesn't look like much will be put into it and if it ever does happen, it won't be for a while.
If I was buying a house I do think the area surrounding it would matter unless I REALLY liked the house.

I really like our road but you do have to drive up a less attractive road to get to it by car (you don’t go up that bit if walking). It’s definitely a compromise I’m happy to make, but YANBU to be put off either. If you end up moving there then you’re going to be looking at the unattractive road every day. I think most houses have a compromise, so it’s a case of deciding whether this bothers you too much, or whether you’d rather compromise on something else.

Thank you, that was so helpful.
I think I’m willing to compromise too. There are similar houses going for more money and I think my desire to be mortgage free sooner is more important!

I think it depends what’s making it unattractive.

I would be put off if there were signs of anti social behaviour etc - like fly tipping, rubbish, kids drinking on the street or whatever.

If it’s just slightly less pretty buildings in an otherwise nice area it would be different.

My road is Victorian on one side and a 1990s older peoples’ home on the other. The 1990s building isn’t super pretty and probably wouldn’t get permission in the area now (it’s a conservation area). But no other problems with the road which is quiet and in a nice area. So that personally wouldn’t bother me and doesn’t stop properties on the road selling quickly.

OMG!! Not terrace(d) housing! Run, OP, run!!

Some advice I was given, was always try to buy the worst house on the best street, as you can improve a house, but the street is out of your control.

However, in saying that, if you really want to get to a position where you are mortgage free, and feel that is more important to you, then I'd say go for it, as the feeling of security you get when you no longer have a mortgage, OR rent to pay, is immeasurable, and it makes life so much easier to cope with when you only have bills and food etc to pay for, without the major expense of paying for a roof over your head each month.

Thank you.
I don’t think there is anything I’d class as anti-social it’s just concrete city! So many houses squeezed in and not a lot of greenery etc. As I mentioned before the houses are tired, I’m sure they looked ok once upon a time!
Good point about houses selling too, thank you!

Thank you so much, I’ve heard that advice too. Makes perfect sense. Sadly, that wouldn’t be the case here!

I’m still a way off being mortgage free but buying this particular house with everything we need and in the right area would get me there quicker… a great feeling!!

Did you make a decision on the house, OP?

Hello,
I did, as it stands I’m going ahead! Funny how a bit of blue sky and sun make even the gloomiest of streets look slightly more attractive!

Ah that’s great. It sounds like both the house and the location are right and that’s the most important thing. The sun always helps to see things in a better light! Good luck with the purchase.