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Original poster

Curb appeal or location - which will add more value?

46 replies

LittlePickleHead · 03/09/2013 12:20

Argh trying to find a house to buy is doing my head in!

There is very little on the market in our price range in our area of SE London, so our dream of a lovely period or 1930s property in our ideal area just isn't going to happen.

We need to make sure whatever we buy is a sound investment as may have to move again in around 5 years.

There are two properties that we may consider putting an offer in after a second viewing. They both need work to update.

One is a fugly 60s house. I could never love the outside (all weird shaped windows) and there isnt any way to really improve it. However it's a really good size, has huge potential to be really lovely inside (it has a fireplace which I think really helps as it means the main living space isn't too much of a 'box') and the location is fantastic (close to both outstanding primary and secondary schools, parks, woodland walks, swimming pool, shops and cafes etc). All the things we like to do as a family basically. But it will always be ugly from the front.

The other is an attractive 1930s house - needs heaps of work but could be brought back to life to be a lovely family home. It's not a bad location (next to a nice park) but is much further away from the shops etc, not very close to any schools, and the postcode is definitely not desirable. It's a very nice quiet road though, and a short drive or busride away from all the local amenities.

What will attract more buyers in the future? My head hurts from all of this!

OP posts:
MortifiedAdams · 07/09/2013 14:27

It is all.about location. Even if the house is falling down around your ears, if it is the right location someone will want it.

A palace in a shit area will be hard to shift.

MortifiedAdams · 07/09/2013 14:29

Can anyone do a clicky link, am.on phone

MissMalonex2 · 07/09/2013 14:34

Location. Don't under estimate the proximity of schools for future buyers

MaryMotherOfCheeses · 07/09/2013 14:35

Its not that ugly, i've seen much worse.

Relaxedandhappyperson · 07/09/2013 14:40

Wow - amazing views - I didn't know views like that existed in London (isn't it all built-up?).

Not the world's most gorgeous house but it seems to tick the boxes for you. And the views!!

Silverfoxballs · 07/09/2013 14:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StarfishEnterprise · 07/09/2013 15:26

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MortifiedAdams · 07/09/2013 15:29

^^gorgeous!!

Yama · 07/09/2013 15:34

That is indeed a lovely house but only one toilet and it's on the ground floor. My last house was like that - never again.

StarfishEnterprise · 07/09/2013 15:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
LittlePickleHead · 07/09/2013 16:10

Wow starfish that house has literally just come on the market - I'm booked onto the open day now so thanks for alerting me to it.

Agree that the house is much prettier - they are in extremely short supply though, and the half houses are not very big really. But you are right about the cul de sac for the other one - it is a bit crappy looking which is why we were umming and ahhing. I suspect that's why it's still on the market when everything else round here is selling within the week...

OP posts:
MortifiedAdams · 07/09/2013 16:13

Bedroom into attic, bathroom into the back bedroom, turn the ground floor bathroom.into a futility room.

Original poster
LittlePickleHead · 07/09/2013 16:35

You are right mortified, that would work well. Even if we couldn't do the work immediately, I feel better knowing that it's possible to do.

Oh well, fingers crossed for the viewing, I feel quite excited about this one - lets just hope it doesn't go for too much over the asking price!

OP posts:
StarfishEnterprise · 07/09/2013 16:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MortifiedAdams · 07/09/2013 16:58

I grew up.in a house with a downstairs bathroom, and my current home is a flat with the bathroom off the kitchen. Neither have ever bothered me.

I use the bathroom mainly during the day (never get up.to pee in the night), so infact an upstairs bathroom would be a faff for me as id be going up.and down the stairs numerous times a day.

I also tend to clean the bathroom and the kitchen at the same time so quite efficient (rather than traipsig the mop and bucket upstairs etc).

It might not be bad to live with while you save to put.in the attic.

vess · 07/09/2013 23:08

I like the 60s one. From the outside. It looks like it has a face!
I wonder who designed them.

Mefisto · 08/09/2013 08:11

I like the 1960s one and it has loads of potential but as an ex local who is generally a big fan of the area I agree with starfish about that stretch of road. Not a pleasant walk home from Sydenham station on a dark night.

Mefisto · 08/09/2013 09:37

Have been thinking more and it really is a brilliant location for many reasons especially primary and secondary schools and maybe I'm being over-cautious about the immediate area. It does give a lot of space for your money and the schools issue for me would be a big factor especially in an area like that with such pressure on local schools.

Barbabeau · 08/09/2013 10:49

The one in HOP is prettier and in a nice location. Having a kitchen big enough to eat in is a bonus for a house that size. But it's only 748 square feet. The price per square foot is pretty painful, especially if it winds up going above the asking price. It would be worth scouting out the road to see if the other houses of that style have been able to extend.

My guess would be that the Kirkdale one would go below the asking price or is the fact that it hasn't sold yet means that they won't drop? I wouldn't want to pay the asking price for it.

Agree with others that the Victorian / Edwardian places sell quicker in this area. However I'm not sure whether they're necessarily nicer to live in.

Original poster
LittlePickleHead · 08/09/2013 12:16

You are right about the size barbabeu - it's only about 70sq ft larger than our current place, which considering the different in price is probably madness. We do gain a bedroom and eat in kitchen (plus the loft space) but all the other rooms and garden are smaller than we currently have. Then we have the coat to extend on top. Prices are just so ridiculous now, and as it's taking is so long to find somewhere the gap between what we sold for and what we can buy is widening (we've even got rival agents trying to get us to go back on the market with them as we could get so much more now, but really don't want to make that decision!)

With the kirkdale one the schools aren't so much of an issue for us as DD already has a school place - although it's on the other side of forest hill so in that respect it doesn't work so well for us.

In all honesty the best bet financially and in terms of location is for us to extend, we could get around 850sq ft for a fraction of the cost. I'm just not sure if its going to be possible as there are a few problems to solve to be able to do so (I have a thread on planning permission if anyone has any pearls of wisdom to add!)

So frustrating, we just need a family home in the area we currently live, and it's impossible (I blame Phil and Kirstie Wink)

OP posts:
MortifiedAdams · 08/09/2013 12:18

Get Sarah Beeny on the case. Shes doing a TV show "Double Your HOuse for Half the Money" - may even get a fee for appearing in it too.

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