Would you buy this house...

[Hairydogmummy]

Listed building, great condition, more than affordable, private back garden but shared car port/parking area and you need to cross other's communal garden to put the bins out. Also despite being a chocolate box conservation area, it's only across a main road from a fairly downmarket area. I can't post the ad as we just had an offer accepted and now getting cold feet!

How long have the vendors lived there?

I wouldn't. Not because of the listing but because of all of the shared and communal spaces. Rights of way can be a nightmare and I would personally avoid any property with shared or communal spaces.

Please make sure your conveyancer looks at everyone with rights over this land and not just your rights because historic rights are often not noted on every properties deeds.

Good luck with your move, the house sounds lovely.

I dont think i would, we had a shared drive once and id never do that again so all the the crossing of each others gardens would put me off, and i wouldnt want to be right next to an undesirable area.

shared car port/parking area and you need to cross other's communal garden to put the bins out
No.

No - if you are getting cold feet pull out.

By down market I presume you mean council area - and I’m brave enough to say I wouldn’t want to live anywhere near one.

@user626847

Wish you would explain. In code, if necessary!

Ah. Got it.

I have a shared driveway, I get on with the neighbours but it's still a pain when it comes to parking and not being able to always get the bins out passed parked cars.

If we didn't get on with the neighbours I would sell, no question.

Ah. Got it.

I haven't, what was the for?

I shared a driveway once, never again. That decision is based on being dependant on the personality/personalities of the people sharing.

In my case my neighbours were irate when I had a visitor who parked [for 20 minutes] in a spot they didn't approve of. It did not affect them being able to come and go in their car and the visitor was unaware she was doing anything wrong [she wasn't]. After she'd gone the husband came to my front door raging at me and being vile, whilst the wife was in her front window jumping up and down, looking ridiculous. The visitor had already gone and was not someone who would return anyway.

I moved house not long after.

No I wouldn't buy anything that involved sharing of anything car or parking related, and certainly wouldn't buy anything where I had to walk across someone's garden to put the bins out.

No, would hate shared parking. It’s not a good sign that you have cold feet you should have an excited feeling.

Just me but from experience I wouldn`t, I have done it in 2 different properties and areas. The first time for 28 years and on the whole it worked well. 5 cottages along a lane and a communal parking area. The secound time same kind of set up so I thought, Ive lived like this before so no problems.Except the chap who had lived there the longest had this notion that he ruled over the lane. One evening he got nasty. As the one exit and entrance was reliant on everybody being courteous we new it was time to go.
These things work if everyone is respectful and civil, it only takes one thing to make life unbearable and your home and garden should be your sanctuary from a hurried world.

No, the shared aspect would put me off.

Thanks everyone. Both sets of parents and friends saying no way too. I'm getting desperate to find something and also I think got caught up cos of its age and character. So difficult to buy in this market. DH refusing to go into rented and we have a really good price from our buyers who are first timers so don't want to lose them.

@justaweeone they've lived there 20 years and are moving to release capital.

Interesting OP, they have lived there a long time so it must have worked for them. Maybe chat with them further re how it works and who is responsible for the shared areas. I sold new builds years ago abs sold plenty with shared access.
However it sounds like you do have some doubts so maybe it's not for you. However often we only hear the negative stories regarding shared drives etc.
Good luck with your search!

No I wouldn't. Always but always go with your gut

No I wouldn't for 4 reasons, which I would put in order of annoyance as A. shared parking. B. right of way C. listed. And D. possible dodgy environs. Also, never buy in a hurry because you feel you've got to get somewhere ASAP. I did this once and hated the place, eventually selling again a year later. Buy in haste, repent at leisure. If you are spending bucket loads of money, at least make sure that it's on the right place for you and that you'll be happy to stay for a few years.

Being grade II listed isn't that much of an issue, unless you are planning alterations, in which case you'll need consent.

@MikeUniformMike

Being grade II listed isn't that much of an issue, unless you are planning alterations, in which case you'll need consent.

We have a property like this which is the equivalent of Grade 2 listed. It’s Grade B In Scotland.

Category B: "Buildings of special architectural or historic interest which are major examples of a particular period, style or building type."

As you say, there are no major issues except for planning permission, particularly changes to the front of the building.

Yes I'm not too worried about the listed status. We would probably want to put a glass extension on it if we go ahead but building conservation people like those apparently as they don't interfere with the fabric or appearance of the building. It's more the access arrangements I worry about and the area. I've questioned the seller carefully about the shared areas etc and it all seems above board. It's just as people say, what if things change? It only needs one of them to be an a hole about parking and you have a big stress in your life you don't need. Atm it's looking like we will pull out.

@Janegrey333, the downside with listed is that the general public seems to think it is a big deal, so will be put off buying them.
And as you say, no major issues except for planning permission, particularly changes to the front of the building.

Friends seem to think that grade II listed means you need planning permission for everything including to cut down a hedge.

Shared spaces are a big no.