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Original poster

Buying a House

18 replies

elay5 · 29/09/2016 13:14

Hi,

The wife and I are looking for a property to buy, there is one we have seen that I like a lot primarily because of the layout and size, its 2000 sq feet inclusive of a garage which I plan to turn into a 5th bedroom and a study, also plan on merging dining room with kitchen and have glass doors overlooking garden, and moving dining table into living room as its big enough. It also has a play room in the front which is an idea we both like as we have two kids.

The vendor has done a poor job of maintaining property etc and also front trees, so wife doesn't like the look and also thinks since no one has put an offer in it would be a bad deal, but I think its an opportunity to fix up and maybe create value.

The problem is it has no front parking( but has a gate at back so you can park two cars in the driveway leading to the garage which is about 9 meteres by 3ms) and has a protected tree in front, its possible one could get planning permission for a parking space but no guarantees.

Its a big issue for my wife the lack of front parking, was wondering if its such a big deal and would weigh negatively on property valuations. There is on street parking as its a quiet street with no restrictions

I like it because with some work I think I can turn it into a very lovely 5 bed with a nice layout, rooms are not massive but we could merge a room upstairs to get one big room thus making it a 4 bed with the guest room downstairs.

OP posts:
YelloDraw · 29/09/2016 13:17

RM link?

I wouldn't be bothered by no front parking as long as it is easy enough to park in front of your garage and go in the back?

Original poster
elay5 · 29/09/2016 14:01

It has its own driveway leading to the garage, its just that its at the back of the property, in a sense one could say thats the front of the property and what we say is the front is the back but most properties on the street have front parking etc, this doesnt, has a protected tree but has a gate and a driveway at the back, in fact you could park four cars, two in the garage and two in he driveway if you chose too

OP posts:
YelloDraw · 29/09/2016 14:05

Then parking wouldn't be something I would worry about with that house.

Lilmisskittykat · 29/09/2016 14:09

Hard to know..if it's a family area maybe?

With a five bedroom house it would be fair to assume your likely to sell to a family with a couple of kids... who will grow up and likely need parking spaces themselves. But I can't see an issue with having on road parking too

Honestly depends what people value in a house. And that varies wildly ... My brother for example is currently looking for a house with space for two cars and a van whereas my sister has no kids and isn't precious about her car so wouldn't care...

Kidnapped · 29/09/2016 15:28

I would prefer to park at the back of the house actually. No nosy neighbours checking out your M&S purchases as you unload the car.

Also is the kitchen at the back? That would make it easier for carting heavy shopping bags into the house.

Is your wife worried about looking out the kitchen onto the cars? You can always screen off the cars with a dividing fence or shrubbery so that you view your lovely garden instead. And of course if you are doing a lot of work then you can get the configuration that you want. You could rework the back garden to give you another parking space or two away from the line of sight of the living areas. You'd have to check local planning regulations of course if you were to do that.

If you plan to convert the garage then that will limit car parking but if one of you gets into the habit of always parking on the street (and lots of people do even if they have a driveway) then there will always be an available space at the back for visitors.

And of course you have the benefit of a nice front garden with a tree rather than an expanse of concrete or paving.

wowfudge · 29/09/2016 16:18

We have a house where the garden is to the front and parking at the rear and side. No big deal as it's set back from the road and is very private. Put a lockable gate on the entrance to the drive if you want extra security.

LemonBreeland · 29/09/2016 16:21

As long as there is off road parking I don't see why it matters whether it's at the back or the front. I would prefer the back if that is where the kitchen is, as others have said it's easier for unloading shopping.

user1471549018 · 29/09/2016 18:46

Sounds like a great house. The only things that would potentially put me off would be no garage/storage in a 5 bed house, and the tree at the front if it's huge- does it block views/cast shade/undermine foundations? I think I'd prefer parking at the back though

Original poster
elay5 · 29/09/2016 20:28

user 147

My actual plan is to carve a guest bedroom with en suite in garage, a small study and still leave some spaace so that you can reverse half of a car into the garage etc, have plans of a Tesla ha ha so need to leave space for the electric charger ha ha......There would be storage under the stairs and also easy to have a room in the garage for storage its very large

OP posts:
Original poster
elay5 · 30/09/2016 08:08

Sorry its not on RM but this link on zoopla shows the property

www.zoopla.co.uk/property-history/7-hyburn-close/bricket-wood/st-albans/al2-3qx/39881159

OP posts:
Nervybuyer2016 · 30/09/2016 09:29

I can see its been resisted twice since Sept of last year. What has the agent said the asking price is? I think there's room for you to make a low offer to get the works down. Downstairs area seems spacious but I can see why your wife is struggling to see past the looks. You wind confident you've got a plan though! The parking wouldn't be an issue for me.

Nervybuyer2016 · 30/09/2016 09:31

Re-listed even!

Original poster
elay5 · 30/09/2016 09:55

It was lited at 627, vendor refused low offers, and took of the market and is holding out for asking, we have viewed loads of properties and if am honest market is not coming down price wise, and based on cost per sq feet this oen is probably the best value wise, what I see is 35 - 40k spend to turn it into a very nice house, she just doesnt like it, if i had endless cash i would not buy it of course but value for money wise without front parking and layout etc this one works best, will keep trying to convince her as she is the boss

OP posts:
user1471549018 · 30/09/2016 13:23

So looking at the photo is the parking space actually in the garden or behind? My husband would be with you in needing a charger for the tesla!

Nervybuyer2016 · 30/09/2016 20:03

Blimey.. 627? I'm not local so zero knowledge of your local market but blimey.

Ultimately a bunch of posters on MN won't change your wife's mind. If she's not up for it then it's not really a goer if you're not both on board. Also don't underestimate the disruption renovating has on the family.

That all said if the market is as you say there, your wife might need to take stock of where you're finances can get you. Perhaps you're asking her to compromise on her non negotiables? Sit down together and try to work through what you need, what you can compromise on, you're non negotiables and work from there.

Best of luck

Nervybuyer2016 · 30/09/2016 20:04

So many grammatical errors there, apologies... So exhausted dealing with my own fucking renovations

specialsubject · 01/10/2016 14:56

Bricket wood - near very expensive st albans.nice area although road noise and traffic an issue.

Looks a decent house. Parking out of sight is a security plus.as it isnt obvious if you are out.

Original poster
elay5 · 03/10/2016 14:02

Thanks all, the missus is not keen on house because of parking, keep searching till she realises that so far this is the best cost per sq feet or we find something else suitable

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