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Original poster

council estates

18 replies

noddy5 · 11/03/2004 19:08

I dont want to rile anyone but I need some advice.We have just lost the house we were buying because the vendor raised the price the only other house we like is on the edge of a big estate but is huge near good schools etc.So called friends are advising us to check it out thoroughly before buying it and so we drove round and round today and it looks fine.Not the smartest but not the worst either.The houses are selling like hotcakes there ex council and private and to me it looks like a good buy.So what do you think and what exactly am I looking for?

OP posts:
WSM · 11/03/2004 19:15

How can anyone possibly answer that noddy ?! If the houses are seeling well and it looked ok to you then I don't see the problem. I'd keep returning at different times of the day and week to see what local activity is like, kids hanging around etc.

Must go, DH calling but I'll be back in a while, possibly tomorrow.

lou33 · 11/03/2004 19:20

The state of the properties and gardens is usually a good reflection of how the area is too. I'd avoid buying a property with a bus stop outside, as it's a place for kids to lurk at night and get on your nerves. Too close to a school will mean difficulty getting in and out of your drive, or parking during school rush hours. Lack og graffiti is always good too.

I grew up on a huge council estate, and we almost bought a house on the edge of a small one in 02, but it fell through.

carlyb · 11/03/2004 19:20

HI Noddy, daunting buying a house isnt it!
put the postcode into www.upmystreet.com and it will tell you all about the crime rate and so on of the area you are looking for. Full of usful info. Have a drive around at all different time of day and night to see what goes on around the area. hope it works out x

Coddy · 11/03/2004 19:21

go there on a not too cold evening and seewha its like

carlyb · 11/03/2004 19:22

to add to what Lou said about bus stops, also look at any allys and play parks to see if they are the local hang out.

Original poster
noddy5 · 11/03/2004 19:33

There are no bus stops or parks near it is a private road of new builds.The park where all the kids hang out is actually on the other side of the area.No graffiti or anything just one block of slightly scruffy flats.All the neighbours houses are well kept.We have the option of this house with 3 beds huge kitchen garden workshop ets or a small 2 bed flat in a 'posh'street

OP posts:
bobsmum · 11/03/2004 19:35

We live in an ex-council house in a street where some houses are privately owned; others are still council houses.

Look for the types of car parked in the streets. Do they disappear during the day (ie are people at work) or do they stand unused on drives etc. Beware of the cars on bricks though :0

If the estate still has council properties then often the street furniture will be better maintained than elsewhere and any grafitti will be cleaned up far faster than in a "better" area - ditto the roads. Definitely recommend Carlyb's site too.

Original poster
noddy5 · 11/03/2004 19:38

I have looked on upmystreet and it seems average.I was driving around there today not really knowing what I was looking for!!!A few remarks from a couple of snooty mums at the school got me worried but I dont judge people on their postcodes!I love the house and am so sick of no garden.A similar sized house in a victorian terrace requiring renovation is 150000 more and we dont want a huge mortgage.

OP posts:
bobsmum · 11/03/2004 19:42

Noddy - we're in a 3 bed terrace which is about twice the size of the shoeboxes for sale in the "better" areas of town. They may have "period features" and "character", but I can swing the entire population of a cattery in my house, whereas many friends struggle with swinging a small gerbil (when the mood takes them)

lou33 · 11/03/2004 19:45

I would make a few visits at different times of day too, weekends , evenings, what's it like when the sun is shining etc, just to rule out any noisy neighbours. Sounds like you have made up your mind though, so good luck, and enjoy it!

Original poster
noddy5 · 11/03/2004 19:48

It isnt actually an ex council house just close to the estate!sorry to confuse everyone I feel such a snob

OP posts:
Galaxy · 11/03/2004 19:48

message withdrawn

eddm · 11/03/2004 20:23

Also call the local cop shop for advice usually happy to talk re crime hot spots. I've just moved from an ex-council house, bags more space for less money, on a nice street with great neighbours but next-door estate was very dodgy (inner London). Ex-council houses are usually very well built as had to meet exacting standards unlike private housing. Don't let snobs put you off. Also, my ex-council house was very easy to sell as houses round there in demand (good transport, reasonable prices etc. etc.).

eddm · 11/03/2004 20:24

Sorry, just realised you aren't talking about an ex-council house, just one nearby.

lou33 · 11/03/2004 20:27

We were loking in the summer time, again like Noddy, not ex council, but on the edge of an estate. We asked the ice cream man in a van! Figured he would see everything that went on, so would be a good one to approach!

Original poster
noddy5 · 11/03/2004 22:44

thanks everyone we are off to look at it again tomorrow am.My dp was sent off to drive around there tonight and he said it was completely quiet with no one hanging about at all.

OP posts:
lou33 · 11/03/2004 22:51

Hoorah!

saintshar · 11/03/2004 23:12

Another tip i was told, phone the council and find out how many houses on the estate have been bought. If a lot of people have bought their house, that is a good indication.

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