Help me pimp this house for wealthy downsizers.....

[deepest]

www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=23432079&sale=48224438&country=england

Please take a look at the link and floorplan and critique my suggested ideas to develop it (and add value) for this to appeal to wealthy downsizers. It is in the heart of the local cafe culture.

1)There is a single designated parking space - and additional visitor spaces in this small cul des sac of 12 bungalows? Do you think I need to drop the kerb and create off street parking in the front garden? It looks a bit tight tbh - and I had thought that planting up a very pretty English cottage style garden would improve kerb appeal?

2)I was thinking of adding a (tasteful) conservatory style porch to create the main entrance to the front - with a central path leading up so that the house was double fronted. Main entrance currently at the side. Then painting the existing "Brookside Brown" windows and conservatory porch in a trendy F&B colour. Adding the porch might rile out the off street parking provision (need to measure up)

3)I was thinking of adding a 3rd bedroom (double) with ensuite by swapping the positions of existing small bed and kitchen. The new kitchen would be extended to create a combined dining space with one wall of sliding glass on to the garden and a large roof light. This would lead to lobby with access to 3rd (double bed) and ensuite. In the new kitchen I have though about chopping up into the ;oft space to add striking velux windows.

4)To make the new single bedroom better proportioned I was thinking of incorporating the existing centrally positioned hall way and hall cupboards (and obvs block door from lounge) - but do you think it would be better to either incorporate this hall way space and door into the new kitchen area....or use it as a laundry/bootroom/utility still with with side access - or I could creat aside access into the new extension if necessary.

I was also thinking of opening up the ceilings in the lounge to the rafters to craete a vaulted ceiling -- just to create a wow factor?

porch would be good.

i wouldn't change parking.

i don't follow how you will change the bedrooms or make more space. you'll need to draw a new floor plan to explain.

good doors to garden are always good, especially if the back garden is nice.

all really boils down to how much you are going to spend vs how much you are gaining

some would come and rip everything off - others would want to move in and not to touch anything

can't please everyone as always

I don't know how you'd do it, but surely you need another bathroom for your target market?

Is the front garden south facing? If so, do not lose any of it for parking.

I find it difficult to envisage your plans for the internal refurb. But your idea if moving main doorway and reusing that space near bedroom seems wise.

Thanks P - but I have no clue how to attach a drawing?

Is this any clearer - The smaller of the existing 2 beds would be extended directly out the back - so knocking out where the existing window is in this room...new kitchen would be in the existing bedroom part (which would now have no windows hence the roof velux) - and the extension would be a dining area with glass doors to LHS (when facing garden) - RHS wall solid as this would be close to boundary, then at the end of the dining room space there would be a door to new 3rd (double/ensuite) new bed in the extension.

The existing kitchen becomes a single bed - and I suppose the Q is what to do with the space freed up from the existing central hall way/cupboards - use as laundry/store etc - use as part of new kitchen or incorporate into new single bed (which is the current kitchen)

Yes the front is south facing - so think that answers the drive/porch/kerb appeal decisions.

I have planned in a 2nd bathroom as an ensuite to the new 3rd bed in extension which is accessed at the end of the new dining room extension -- less than ideal...the back extension makes the house an L shape as cant cut across existing double bed external window.

Why do all that to a small semi bungalow? If you try to price it too high for the area you won't get the money.

Yeah, you'll get the money in Beaconsfield.

You got a good deal.

Is there no back garden at all?

Opposite which has been extended to create 3rd bed but not another bathroom (and not as pretty ie no front garden - but better back garden) has sold for asking price (499) - so I think that there is reasonable ROI

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45906995.html?premiumA=true

Yes there is a back garden - but only about 6 metres deep

Am I going mad? I can't see the asking price on that link.

and I will use 1/3 of width and most of depth for the extension -- so only left with 4x6 courtyard at back

Minty -- orginal link was sold price in Nov 2012 @ 285. ...my MIL already owns one identical to the link. We plan to build her an annex at ours as her health and mobility is declining....so want to sell this .... but wnat to develop before selling to max profit

Ok, I don't understand but never mind but I did of course see the November 2012 sold price.

Minty if you mean the recently sold neighbours house on this link
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45906995.html?premiumA=true

price is in green top centre

I wouldn't bother most of the downsizers I've come across recently have wanted to do it themselves to fill some of the vast retirement time up and so they can get a house that is exactly what they want.

What is the valuation right now for this bungalow?

havent had it valued but estimate 350....?

Well, I think the thing to do would be have it valued and then cost up your plans, and do the maths? Would you be looking to put quite high-end stuff in the new kitchen and en-suite?

Estate agents always tell you not to do work before selling IME. Probably because they want to get the property on their books asap, but still...

Yes I would put highish end stuff in the kitchen and ensuite - as neither are very big. Interesting as I have spoken with estate agent who just sold the one across the road. She advised the 2nd bathroom which would not have occured to me. She attempted to "do the maths" with me, suggesting that a 30m2 extension would cost 60k...so I should just sell it as is....my family are generations of Irish builders so I know how much these things cost...

I would say extension (planning permission etc) + kitchen + 2 bathrooms would easily come up to 60K

add delay to sell as well - you would be looking this time next year for completion

The extension wont need PP as within permitted development rights. We are in no rush to sell as my take on the local market is that there is still room for price growth in the local market with the London ripple. Adding 30m2 extension would cost max 30K, ensuite, kitchen aand porch another 10k - which leaves good profit.

Well that's sorted then, good luck.

Thanks - would value your thoughts on what I should do with the existing central hall/external door and hall cupboards?

1)incorporate into new kitchen - so that there is a external side access into the kitchen
2)incorporate into new single bed (ie existing kitchen on plan) to make it bigger
3)change it into a laundry, bootroom, utility room?