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Original poster

bungalow vs semidetached

65 replies

mum2015 · 19/02/2015 17:29

Given a choice would you buy a bungalow or a semidetached house. All other parameters are similar and they have come on same street for sale

Same size and orientation garden
same square foot area though bungalow has conservatory but semidetached has proper dining room.
semidetahced has more extension possibilities, as for bungalow, need to demolish conservatory to do the extension. both has lofts which can be converted. We are family of three so might not extend at all.

also any idea which will be easier to sell or rent in future in case we need to move after few years.

OP posts:

Chuffchuff · 20/02/2015 10:26

I would prefer a house rather than a bungalow. We did live in a bungalow fir a while and there was a feeling of everybody being 'under each other's feet' IMO.

We all just seem more spread out in a house - and you definitely need that when the dc get older!

Original poster

mum2015 · 20/02/2015 10:38

yes a bit of privacy would be important when kids get older. I have one kid in primary and not planning for any more. Currently we are in apartment and it feels all ok but when he is older, he might prefer to have an upstairs bedroom when his friends come over.

hmm.. need to think about it...

OP posts:

PolterGoose · 20/02/2015 10:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Spickle · 20/02/2015 10:50

In my area bungalows are highly sought after because they generally have flexible rooms and are on bigger plots. I know the elderly are the usual occupants but it sounds as if your one is in a mixed road and that would suggest a mix of households. The semi you linked to doesn't appear to have access to the rear other than through the garage or house and I would hate that. Also the bedrooms adjoining would be a no for me. I think you can do more with a bungalow, builders and developers love them because they can extend outwards and/or upwards plus as your children grow up, you can alter rooms for instance a playroom becomes a dining room etc.

SamanthaandSamaris · 20/02/2015 10:51

It would depend a lot for me on the layout of the bungalow.
I hate it when they have the bedrooms "mixed in" with the kitchen and living room, or right by the front door.
So I wouldn't buy one unless the bedrooms were somehow sepearate - ideally when you came in you'd turn one way for bedrooms and the other for living rooms.
But otherwise I would prefer a bungalow.
THough they might be harder to heat as well, all that heat disappearing straight up into the roof instea dof heating the bedrooms upstairs on the way.

firesidechat · 20/02/2015 11:53

I always thought bungalows were highly sought after and sold quickly, so I don't think you can possibly lose out when you sell again.

Apatite1 · 20/02/2015 12:04

My preferences:

Detached>bungalow>semidetached>terraced>maisonette>flat

So definitely the bungalow!

GemmaTeller · 20/02/2015 12:07

In our bungalow there is a corridor off the lounge which leads to the 3 bedrooms and bathroom.

My office/craft room is the second largest bedroom which overlooks the front garden.

The master bedroom overlooks the back garden.

I think bungalows are always 'tardis' like and are actually bigger than they look.

BackforGood · 20/02/2015 12:11

The bungalow every time.
Bungalows will always sell on, with oder folk or people with disabilities who don't want the stairs, or just people like me, who like them

However, the real clincher in this is the detached nature of it.
I'd pay a BIG premium to live in a detached home rather than a semi - as much for the fact I can make noise at whatever time I like, as being worried about the neighbours. I'd HATE to be tiptoeing about in my own home.

ReallyBadParty · 20/02/2015 12:18

I love the look ofthe bungalow, very pretty, and I like that period of house. Detached is much better too. And we found the worst thing with older children was the thumping and banging from upstairs, so at least you won't have that??

PrimalLass · 20/02/2015 12:59

I love bungalows. I'd buy it and do the loft conversion if I were you.

GnomeDePlume · 20/02/2015 13:21

I dont know if it helps, we bought, renovated & sold two bungalows. Both times were at the bottom of the housing market and we made a reasonable profit each time.

The market for bungalows does tend to older but dont forget the population is ageing. Far fewer bungalows are being built now so there is a steady demand.

Original poster

mum2015 · 20/02/2015 13:23

great. Thank you very much. We are going to put an offer for it. Wish me good luck :)

OP posts:

Original poster

mum2015 · 20/02/2015 13:23

and hope other buyers arent reading this thread

OP posts:

pilates · 20/02/2015 13:36

Good luck mum, the bungalow looks lovely.

Spickle · 20/02/2015 13:49

Yay, good decision and good luck mum2015!

TheHappinessTrap · 20/02/2015 13:55

That's a lovely bungalow, hope you get it! I too don't get why they're associated with older people. Why must all other people live smushed up against someone else's house with stairs to get to everything? Do I have to prove my relative youth by having stairs? We don't have a bungalow but I wanted one. The other most important part of a bungalow, and that of all detached properties, is the lovely privacy. Feel like watching a film or hearing a song at full volume? Don't worry!

fussychica · 20/02/2015 14:04

Detached bungalow - no contest. Personally, I'd never live in a semi (main beds or lounges together) again after a nightmare neighbour many years ago.

Currently live in a detached bungalow and they are always in demand in this area but I know plenty of people who don't like the idea of living in one (I can't get my head around not going upstairs to bed is the usual comment - the same people are happy to live in a flat or stay in a villa or apartment on holiday).

This is our 5th bungalow/villa so I'm obviously drawn to them, especially as one upside is you usually get a bigger (wider) plot so you feel even more detached.

fussychica · 20/02/2015 14:05

Oh you're going for it - well done and good luck.

CatsAreLikeChocolates · 20/02/2015 15:28

Yay! Good decision. I hope you get it... come back and update us if you do.

lighteningirl · 20/02/2015 21:42

Moved to a detached bungalow last year and we love it, we have redesigned it a bit so bedrooms are on one side and big L shaped living/dining kitchen on other side of lovely wide hall. Ours was built in late twenties and it's on a big plot we looked at lots of semi detached for same money and didn't feel the love til estate agent suggested this bungalow

Original poster

mum2015 · 24/02/2015 10:38

update - still negotating on price. Looks like we will end up paying more than what we had initially thought. My country kitchen will have to wait for some time so we can save up again.

Anyway fingers crossed at the moment. Have lost couple of properties due to someone offering more than us.

OP posts:

Bowlersarm · 24/02/2015 10:39

Is someone else after it as well OP?

Original poster

mum2015 · 24/02/2015 11:09

no idea. Agent just said offer refused so we have increased it and waiting for reply.

OP posts:

Original poster

mum2015 · 25/02/2015 08:52

Our offer got accepted.

Excited and nervous now!!!

OP posts:

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