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Original poster

Help - house next door to one we are buying is for sale - is it worth it?

91 replies

Evecob · 28/12/2020 19:46

We really would like everyone's opinion on this issue.

we are purchasing a property that was up for 315k - we bought for 308k. We love the house itself, it is perfect for us and our needs, it has a conservatory off the lounge which will be perfect as a playroom for our 2 children, however our niggle was the driveway. It has private parking beside the house for 2 cars one behind the other. There is parking nearby in a shared carpark for any guests we would have, we could have people park directly in front of the house but would be tight for the house on the end to get by. We have visited the house and area a few times and we both have said "ahh if only next door came up for sale instead" purely for the parking space they have - the house next door has 2 parking spaces to the side like ours except their house is tilted slightly to allow more room to get in and out and at least one private designated space in front of their house for visitors. There could be more room for another car if the whole space was bricked over. They are also on the end, so while we both have field views to the front, their house has it to the side as well.
Their house came up 2 days ago for offers in excess of 300k.

We are due to complete end of january. The lady buying our property is pretty much ready to exchange, we are still waiting on the solicitor forms from our sellers (they are in, but our solicitor wasn't ready, we will be getting them on the 4th when they are back in office). Our sellers are ending the chain.

To compare, the houses are exactly the same structurally in terms of rooms and room sizes, the one we are buying does have nicer flooring throughout, has a kitchen splashback, and has a conservatory, but the house next door has the wider parking to the side and bigger front space for extra parking. We bought for 308K. house next door up for offers over 300k.

If they were happy to end the chain, what would you do? We have had our searches back already, and had a mortgage offer back already, going through a broker. If we decided to go for the house next door, would we have to reapply for searches/mortgage and pay out again for them? is it worth the hassle? I'm worried if it takes longer our buyer might pull out but my husband thinks it is worth asking their situation, as we might regret it in years to come.

OP posts:
Original poster
Evecob · 28/12/2020 19:47

For more clarity, both houses are 4 bed detached.

OP posts:
RollOnForever · 28/12/2020 19:50

I think it's worth exploring, so that you're in full possession of the facts before making a decision. Have you actually stood inside the house with better parking or just seen the schedule? It may feel different inside, like its not 'your' house.

I think parking is important, the parking at my house is a bit of a pain but for me the conservatory would sway it. Bright playroom for the kids beats slightly better parking any day of the week.

Napqueen1234 · 28/12/2020 19:55

I find peoples obsession with parking completely intriguing as it’s not something I even notice. We have on street parking and MIL doesn’t visit often as ‘parking is a nightmare’ Hmm. Take away parking- which house is nicer? I’d just go for that one. It’s just a place to put your car...

Bacter · 28/12/2020 20:02

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bubblebubblebubbletrouble · 28/12/2020 20:04

Would you be able to complete before the end of the stamp duty holiday - what are circs of new seller?
Why are both houses up for sale simultaneously?? What don't you know??
It's worth looking at the other house but I'm not sure if I could do it - imagine moving in next to the people who's move you had scuppered....

Original poster
Evecob · 28/12/2020 20:21

We don't know next doors situation, we only looked on rightmove today and saw it by accident! We have not been inside their house, but while our current house has small things we prefer and a few extras, its nothing we couldnt buy ourselves in future. However the conservatory, if we decided to build one of the same style would use up almost all of our cash left over after buying the house (8-10k most likely for a 3 by 3 dwarf style?) and it's not something we would be comfortable doing for the first year at least.

if we did go for it, and thats only if they were in a position to rent asap, im worried about the money we would be spending to change it all with solicitors and bank etc..

Personally im still happy with the house, but im also worried it might eat away at us knowing we could have had the house next door

OP posts:
Chumleymouse · 28/12/2020 20:23

If you buy it and they are still there, might be a bit awkward 🤣

Original poster
Evecob · 28/12/2020 20:26

@bubblebubblebubbletrouble

Would you be able to complete before the end of the stamp duty holiday - what are circs of new seller? Why are both houses up for sale simultaneously?? What don't you know?? It's worth looking at the other house but I'm not sure if I could do it - imagine moving in next to the people who's move you had scuppered....
the house we are buying went up in september. Next door just came up 2 days ago. I know the couple we are buying off of do talk to their neighbours, they will be making a pretty good profit if they sell now so it doesn't surprise me if they mentioned they are moving, and next door checked out the market. The searches have come back fine, and we have seen the area is well maintained and seems like a nice quiet place to live.
OP posts:
Bouledeneige · 28/12/2020 20:55

I flipped from a purchase of one property to one I much preferred in a better area for me. And started the chain again. Had to start the whole mortgage application again, surveys and searches. It was absolutely the right decision because I much preferred the second property - its way more beautiful and me. However, I'd not bother for parking. Its just not a priority for me and the end of the stamp duty holiday is looming.

But its up to you. If parking is that important to you. I'd prioritise the space I'm living in.

Quartz2208 · 28/12/2020 21:00

Offers over 300k means just that offers over. So actually one would expect the final price to be at least the 308k you have paid if not more (hard to tell in this market)

Add in the money you have already spent out (yes of course you would have to repay its is going to cost your more money

So why do you prefer it - is it worth it

AN85 · 28/12/2020 21:06

Sounds like too much hassle for a little bit of extra parking. Not to mention the bad blood it might cause between neighbours.You’re still able to park outside your house right?

Chanandlerbong01 · 28/12/2020 21:10

Could you adapt parking in the original house? How much would it actually impact your day?

NoParticularPattern · 28/12/2020 21:14

I don’t think I’d bother for extra parking only for guests. You say the current house has enough parking for what you’ll need day to day and that visitors can park elsewhere (ie it’s not totally devoid of any parking whatsoever vs the other house having acres of it). I think for the fact that the one you’re buying has the conservatory and that you’d struggle to complete prior to SD holiday ending I’d stick with it. You’d incur more costs with the other plus likely miss the SD holiday which adds even more £££ and that’s if you assume you would get it for the same or similar as you’ve got the current one. It would make it very expensive for one parking space being slightly closer than ones you have access to elsewhere.

BunnyBoilerRhian · 28/12/2020 21:15

You won't need all of the searches again. Only house specific. Not much if a saving but a small one and maybe less searches might be slightly faster.

Yellow85 · 28/12/2020 21:18

Don’t underestimate the hassle of swapping everything. I changed my new build plot to literally the one next to it - had to re-do all the mortgage paperwork and pushed everything back. It was the right decision but know what you might have to do!

SBAM · 28/12/2020 21:21

For the sake of a parking space for occasional guest use I wouldn’t bother. That doesn’t match the value of the conservatory space in my opinion. Plus if the neighbours have told them they’ve sold for £308k then the next door house will likely be expecting that value too

Elbels · 28/12/2020 21:22

So there's space for you to park on the house footprint itself and parking for guests very nearby?

Having guest parking marginally closer to you seems like a weird reason to collapse a chain this far in.

Burnthurst187 · 28/12/2020 21:24

Unless you have guests every week it doesn't seem worth it.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 28/12/2020 21:24

I'm normally obsessed with parking but the house you've offered on does have it, I wouldn't change and lose the conservatory to only gain guest parking. You will be risking the whole chain collapsing and will likely miss the stamp duty holiday window by switching.

Staffy1 · 28/12/2020 21:25

I would be wondering why they are both for sale at the same time. Are any other houses nearby for sale as well? Just used to live on a road with a hellish family and five of us close to them were trying to sell at once to get away from them.

Waterlemon · 28/12/2020 21:26

I get on really well with my neighbours- we happen to live on a very friendly street. If this was to happen on my road, none of us would accept your offer, even if it was the highest and chain free. You may lose out on both houses over a bit extra parking

Viviennemary · 28/12/2020 21:28

DH is obsessed with parking. Visiting people he's oh it's a nightmare to park. Confused I would look into the other house as if does sound better for you.

Inthemuckheap · 28/12/2020 21:28

But one of the main reasons you love the first house is because of the conservatory? Your kids can't play in a parking space...

NoSquirrels · 28/12/2020 21:29

What if you pull out, and they don’t get a new buyer, or decide not to move after all. And you have to live next door to the people you screwed over? I really do not think I could do this.

Toohardtofindaproperusername · 28/12/2020 21:31

Yep I d worry about losing both .... You have parking, guest parking is not a priority surely. Enjoy the one you are purchasing,... Let it go.

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