Am I too snobbish if I say I don't like the outside of this maisonette?

[HolyParc]

SW London area, lovely neighbourhood and location is perfect, I just think it's looks really ugly and shabby on the outside, would I be mad to not consider it?

https://www.onthemarket.com/details/14443886/

I think it has quite a pleasant outlook with the trees and the obviously maintained grass which is always a good sign. (Presumably nothing grows under the big tree but there has been an attempt at some troughs, which you could maybe add to.) There might be a garden maintenance committee you could get involved with. )

Plus, the balcony looks out onto your nice period houses. What's the saying? Better to live in an ugly house and look out at a pretty one than the other way around?

Looks a nice flat, and whilst it may not have period charm I don't think it's remotely shabby.

As others have said, all housing is a balance. Great if you can afford the space/land/look you want, but most of us have to compromise somewhere.

If that's what you can afford in the area you need to be, you just need to decide if you'd rather have that space and light inside, or a nicer exterior (and perhaps do a bit of soul searching as to how much of that nicer exterior will really benefit you, and how much is impacted by what you think others might think of it).

It's surbiton. Such a great area to live and its maple road. I know what you mean but I'd definitely go and take a look

My house has a similar aesthetic....we are in London. We have four beds, a huge kitchen diner and two bathrooms and are on a lovely road....my place is probably worth just over £500k. If we were a similar size house but Victorian we'd be worth double that. But a lot of people can't see past the outside.

And you'll be paying a lot extra for it. It all comes down to budget. Half a million in surbiton is unlikely to get you a roomy 2 bed in a beautifully converted mansion

Wherever 'here' is is not really relevant if the poster wants to live in surbiton.

You'd get it for £50k in the outer Hebrides but who cares

Exactly! You have nice periods houses behind to look at... They have to look at you!
No one above the bedrooms to wake you up.

I've lived in various apartments in Italy & France where the buildings didn't look that great - secure & functional. However once inside, the apartments were beautiful, spacious & airy so am used to not judging a book by its cover!

The lease is long, the service charge is reasonable & there is parking. Is the building well maintained? What is the area like at night - would you feel safe returning there in the dark? Any ideas about the neighbours?
I wouldn't remove it from your options just yet but I can understand your desire for more kerb appeal!!

And? Did you not know that house prices vary by region?

I like it. Clean lines, well-maintained and the green space and the trees are a big plus. The inside looks nice too and very livable in. But if you don't like it, then fair enough. I definitely wouldn't call that shabby though.

@MenopauseSucks I am also from Europe and am used to what you are saying, however in the UK I sense the housing market is different and these type of properties have a sad feel about them, not sure what it is exactly (shabby and cheap looking front doors, you can see the mess in other people's windows etc)

My first flat was a maisonette like that. 1950s rather than 70s, so the brickwork was more red, but a lovely place to live. Large windows, plenty of light, well built & warm, decent sized rooms and mine had a 70' garden - unheard of in London.

I suggest you take a good look. Think about how you could improve the outside if that really matters to you. You may be missing an absolute gem.

@Meadowfinch thank you, I think we might go and see it regardless!

No not snobby. Anyone from any demographic/paycheck whatever will most likely not be enthralled by the kerb appeal 😂

But inside looks really lovely. Will you go for it do you think? Is the area nice? Quiet? Park nearby?

And whoever said a place in devon 5 bed for that price with land..uhm no..try doubling it. Whereabouts i am in devon 3-4 bed terrace is that price. I wish i could snatch up a 5 bed haha our 2 bed end terrace facing a carpark is 250,000

I've seen plenty worse curb appeal than that. Lovely tree outside as well. Definately wouldn't put me off if the property ticked all the other boxes.

I think it's fine, and I am partial to aesthetics.

We lived in a similarly dull/ugly from the outside flat for 5 years. It was spacious inside and loads of light from the big windows, very good flat.

I think it’s quite nice, it’s not shabby at all.

I actually like the look of these types of housing. Tidy, clean lines, big windows, unfussy. Lovely green space and trees.

I live in a Victorian house and love the way it looks but I don't think kerb appeal means the house style. The area looks nice and green. The flats look well looked after. There's no obvious repair work to be done. The street looks good. That's what I would take kerb appeal to mean.

@HolyParc

what else can you buy for that price there?

What sacrifices (over this one) are you prepared to make to get a nicer looking property outside?

it's up to you which you buy. It's not snobby to hate the look of a property. To me that's a flat though, not a maisonette. But at least the outside looks well cared for, not shabby, it's just a bit utilitarian.

id prefer that over, say, a small kitchen or smaller bedrooms even.

How much?!

Just ask yourself this - I'm going to be sitting outside my home for X amount of hours each day, staring at it, and wondering if it's beautiful.

Not going to do that?

Thought not.

But half a million???

what about this one

https://www.onthemarket.com/details/14630394/

i haven't spent ages comparing the two, but it's 2 bdrm, has nice period features and a private garden!

Well look, it's SW London. If you're not a squillionaire there's always a compromise. Only you can know what compromises you can make.

I live not far from there, bought at a similar price, also two bedrooms. The exterior is more attractive (converted Edwardian pub) but it's on a busy road, no damp proofing, no right angles, crazy steep stairs etc.Those were my compromises.

The posters saying hell no I wouldn't consider it are probably either wealthy or not in London. This flat is in a nice area and it looks like it's got a good view of an attractive road. So yes I view it, and weigh up its advantages against the lack of kerb appeal.

I like it- better that to me than a grotty looking conversion- and it's lovely inside

If you prefer a period conversion and you can afford that in the right place for you then obviously that's what you should focus on. If you've never wanted to own a teak sideboard with spindly legs this flat is probably not going to bring you the sort of joy you should get for half a million quid.

My dream house has huge windows and a huge garden, ideally with interesting outbuildings and views of the mountains and the sea. I only had about a fifth of your budget so I picked a flat with huge windows and a reasonably nice view and the rest will have to go on the backburner. Home buying is all about compromise, there is no right or wrong.