Terrace in great area or semi a bit further out?

[Wilker]

I can’t believe how ridiculous the market is right now but it is what it is and we can’t wait any longer to buy.

For what we can afford it seems that we’re looking at 3 bed terraces, within 20-25 min walk of a good high street, train station, parks etc.

Or you can get a 3 bed semi a bit further out, but typically these will need some modernising and don’t have the gorgeous new open plan kitchens and period fireplaces etc.

I just don’t know what to do for the best? What’s it like having to park on the road and not having your own drive? Am I right to be worried that there’s less scope for adding value with the terraces?

Would love some advice. Thank you!

🏡

Anyone?

Well it depends where you are I think - in London (where I am) terraces are par for the course and so is on-street parking. No-one would bat an eyelid at either, and "adding value" = loft conversion and/or side return extension.

If this is for you to live in, no-one can really tell you what to do, you have to decide which is more important to you, location or space.

Do you have kids? If not, do you plan to in the next few years? Where are there good schools, parks etc? Would you/they be able to walk to see friends in the area nearer to town or would you need to drive everywhere? How much would that bother you?

For me the smaller house/ better area would win every time but only you can know what's best for you and your current/ future family.

It depends what you need a house for now and in the longer term and how long you plan to stay there. We moved from a 3 bed terrace to a 3 bed semi a couple of years ago. They're totally different properties suiting different lifestyles. If on street parking is plentiful then a terrace is ok, on a bad day we'd have to pull up in the street, unload the shopping and then park half way down the road. Terraces generally only have a small yard/garden so if you like entertaining this is something to think about. The parking became more of an issue once we had kids, as did the lack of a garden. Also think about the potential of the space for wfh, given the current climate.

We moved from a terrace to a semi (both in London, semi a bit further out) and OMG I could never go back to not having a driveway! It's nice to have side access to the garden as well. I think a semi has more longevity, in a terrace you will probably always feel more overlooked. But in the end, what do you value more - a more central location or more space around the house.

My favourite house was a terrace but it was on a cul de sac and I put a drive on the front garden. We are now in an apartment with on street parking but it's ok because no one has a parking spot.

The thing that would worry me is neighbour noise with a terrace. But I lived on terraces all my adult life and I've only had one bad experience with noise. It depends on the neighbours!

Thanks all. I think having reflected on it, the location and easy access to the high street is important to us. Even if the house is smaller.

Although it seems to be a moot point as, after having called round the agents today, our top five houses have been sold STC within 72 hours!

Unless you are able to drop everything, leave work and go for a visit immediately then you have no chance.

I am despairing at the whole situation.