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Original poster

Detached house or semi detached we are 3 weeks away from completing on

118 replies

permanentgiraffe · 25/07/2022 20:37

We are 3 weeks away from completion on a semi detached which wasn't perfect as 2 bedrooms had restricted headspace and the living/dining/kitchen areas were in the same room - still a very nice house nonetheless. South east facing garden.

A detached house on the same estate came up a week ago, and partner and I went to view it. It is £50k more. We can afford it, although it is at the top of our budget. Same number of bedrooms as semi, but none have restricted headspace. Separate living room and separate kitchen/diner. However, the pictures made it look light but in reality it was a bit gloomy (North facing garden). Also, the dining and living areas are in full view of the street outside.

Obviously we are very close to purchasing the semi detached - I think if both had come on at the same time I would have gone for the detached. Wise mumsnetters, what would you do in this situation?

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 26/07/2022 00:02

I’ve lived in a variety of semis and terraced of different ages and can always hear the neighbours. It will be worse if the downstairs is totally open plan. If you’re noisy yourself perhaps it would drown it out?! Seriously I’d go for the detached every time. I wouldn’t be keen on open plan kitchen, dining and living room either.

Arenanewbie · 26/07/2022 00:10

Detached.
I wonder if it’s gloomy atm just because it needs a bit of redecoration: fresh paint, lighter colours etc. And I don’t like when it’s not full height, I like high enough ceilings.
How big are gardens? Which garden is more private? How busy is the street near the detached house?

mrs55 · 26/07/2022 00:15

If you prefer the detached house go for i had a south facing garden and bloody hated it the sun beamed through the kitchen and made it unbearable no shade in the garden etc our garden now is north west and still gets the sun all day and shade In parts , and we do live in Britain how much sun do we even get anyways most of the year it's dark and gloomy.

DinosaursEatMan · 26/07/2022 00:28

I’d pick the detached. We went from a semi to buying a detached at the top of our budget, never regretted it. Only think I don’t like is our too hot south-facing garden, so for me the opposite would be a bonus!

toomuchlaundry · 26/07/2022 00:35

We have a Redrow house, wouldn’t necessarily recommend them, but it is 20 years old so maybe they have improved. Lived in a semi detached house before that and could hear neighbours although wasn’t horrendous

Original poster
permanentgiraffe · 26/07/2022 07:03

I would have picked the detached ordinarily, it's just because we are so close to buying the semi that I am concerned we will lose both if the detached purchase falls through for whatever reason

OP posts:
Original poster
permanentgiraffe · 26/07/2022 07:39

User23072 · 25/07/2022 22:56

I'd go for the detached property, especially if the semi-detached is relatively new. You'll hear your neighbours and it will drive you mad. With older homes it's different. I know people who live in much older semis and they tell me they never hear anything through the walls.

I don't quite know what you mean about saying that the living area is in full view of the street? Surely any house will have a room facing the street? Or am I missing something here? Either way, net curtains are your friends.

Both the living room and the kitchen/dining room are in full view of the street. I have never seen a dining room with net curtains

OP posts:
Sapphirejane · 26/07/2022 07:46

Window film is the modern alternative to net curtains, I’ve seen some good examples of it.

Samanabanana · 26/07/2022 08:04

If you pull out of a house sale this close to exchange, buggering every one else in the chain, I hope karma comes back to bite you on the arse and that the detached house is haunted and full of spiders. FTB did this to us recently and have fucked our entire house move and it's devastating.

925XX · 26/07/2022 08:35

You are so close to exchanging and it would be devastating to everyone in the chain but a house is a big commitment so you must do what is right for you. As for a new semi detached, I would never ever buy one again. We had one and could near hoovering from next door, bottoms sliding on the bath, toilets being flushed, light switches being turned on. If your adjoining neighbour does not look after their property it can affect your kerb appeal.

925XX · 26/07/2022 08:36

hear not near

QuebecBagnet · 26/07/2022 08:41

I’d want to pull out and get the detached. But what’s the chances of it going for over the asking price and you can’t afford it?

Original poster
permanentgiraffe · 26/07/2022 08:43

This is so tricky because if the detached purchase fails for whatever reason, we will end up with nothing.

Is an option buying the semi for security, and moving in a year or two?

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 26/07/2022 08:47

Detached every time, if you’ve got the chance

of course you get net curtains in dining rooms

mrs55 · 26/07/2022 08:55

@permanentgiraffe if you loose both you loose both do not buy to move again in a few years when your in rented now your in a perfect position with no chain other houses will come on in a newish build estate we live in one and houses are always on to buy. None of the houses seem right for you tbh do you not feel like your rushing to buy one ? We did this bought a first house because we could and I wish we had waited for the perfect house.

RubricEnemy · 26/07/2022 09:02

I think you need to take a deep breath and get ready to make a calm, considered decision.

The worst case scenario is that you don't buy either house. As neither sounds like your dream home, I think you need to just embrace this possibility. Your commute is awful, and you'd have to live with it for a few months more, and it puts off home ownership... but none of this is an emergency. We are discussing a major outlay of money and you want to get it right first time if possible. Moving costs money, every time you do it. Buying/selling costs money.

Do not worry about anyone else's chain. You cannot complete a house purchase that no longer suits you just to be polite. Yes, it's awful for the rest of the chain. But you need to prioritise yourselves.

You don't seem to know a lot about the build quality of the homes or the potential neighbour noise. I think this is something you need to investigate.

If you prefer the detached, if that would be your choice if both were on the market at the same time (and they are), then go for it.

Thinkingblonde · 26/07/2022 09:08

permanentgiraffe · 26/07/2022 08:43

This is so tricky because if the detached purchase fails for whatever reason, we will end up with nothing.

Is an option buying the semi for security, and moving in a year or two?

I would do exactly that.

Original poster
permanentgiraffe · 26/07/2022 09:22

RubricEnemy · 26/07/2022 09:02

I think you need to take a deep breath and get ready to make a calm, considered decision.

The worst case scenario is that you don't buy either house. As neither sounds like your dream home, I think you need to just embrace this possibility. Your commute is awful, and you'd have to live with it for a few months more, and it puts off home ownership... but none of this is an emergency. We are discussing a major outlay of money and you want to get it right first time if possible. Moving costs money, every time you do it. Buying/selling costs money.

Do not worry about anyone else's chain. You cannot complete a house purchase that no longer suits you just to be polite. Yes, it's awful for the rest of the chain. But you need to prioritise yourselves.

You don't seem to know a lot about the build quality of the homes or the potential neighbour noise. I think this is something you need to investigate.

If you prefer the detached, if that would be your choice if both were on the market at the same time (and they are), then go for it.

Thank you for your very thorough, thoughtful response. I appreciate it.

We are in the fortunate position of being able to afford paying stamp duty again in a year or two. I don't know if this will change people's view.

The semi is quite nice. It has 4 bedrooms, and a south east facing garden. The lounge/dining room/kitchen faces the garden which is nice. The survey came back with only one minor snag. I can't comment on noise levels as I haven't lived there. I wouldn't be unhappy there, but I would be open to moving to a detached in a few years. Or moving to a property closer to the train station as both the detached and the semi are a good half an hour walk away.

OP posts:
RubricEnemy · 26/07/2022 09:59

If you intend to move on in a couple of years and can afford the costs, and if you will honestly be happy with either house, then buy the house with the best resale potential. Presumably that's the detached? Maybe not? Maybe roughly equal?

Beautiful3 · 26/07/2022 10:05

Yes absolutely go for the detached. No noise and more space. You haven't completed yet, so go for it.

Toffeeandapplecake · 26/07/2022 10:12

Does the layout of each house work for you (even better do you have a floor plan?). I wouldn't worry about the window issue, there are plenty of different options for window coverings (shutters, nets, window film, blinds)

NegativeNelly · 26/07/2022 10:16

I'd never go semi again, if you can afford detached go for it!
Maybe trying putting in a lower offer just because it's on for £50k doesn't mean you have to go for that. Go lower and try and haggle!

Original poster
permanentgiraffe · 26/07/2022 10:21

Attached floorplan of detached

Detached house or semi detached we are 3 weeks away from completing on
OP posts:
Original poster
permanentgiraffe · 26/07/2022 10:22

Semi floorplan

Detached house or semi detached we are 3 weeks away from completing on
OP posts:
Quartz2208 · 26/07/2022 10:27

I dont think the detached is your forever home either?

I would buy the semi - you needs are clearly to move fairly quickly and 3 weeks away could easily turn into 4-6 months more renting (that is if you get it).

Settle in get a feel for the area and buy a forever home that isnt a new build! THe detached clearly still has issues (north facing garden, on a road far away from the station)