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Original poster

Hesitating between 2 houses in Kent (with Rightmove links)

44 replies

Greenfairydust · 26/01/2023 21:33

I have a small budget so I know I have to compromise in my search of a 2 bed house.

I have seen two houses that would fit my budget but both have a couple of issues and I am not sure which one would make the best bet.

First house: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129832181#/?channel=RES_BUY.

Really spacious & a period property. 2 bed plus a converted loft. Nice, big garden. 15 minute from train/high street and seafront (I don't drive so this is a big plus); spoke to tenants who said they enjoyed living there and it was relatively quiet. But it is on a fairly busy road and not the prettiest road in town. Has a school nearby.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130961489#/?channel=RES_BUY

I love this one because it has fields with horses at the back, is on a lovely, well maintained estate, 15 minutes from high St and sea. Small but fine for my needs and easier to maintain/heat. My main concern is that the house next door (not the other semi but the one across the drive) is a holiday let. The tenant said that she has never any issue. it is not advertised on airbnb and does not allow children or parties. This really would be my favourite but I still have a doubt because it is a holiday home.

Any advice?

I have been looking for a while now and this is a small town so the housing stock in my budget is really limited and I already lost out on a house after I was outbid.

I am really getting to a point where I want to make a decision and find somewhere or I am going to lose my mortgage in principle. I also am nervous about being in rented accommodation right now after being a homeowner for so long.

Any comments on these two would be most welcome!

OP posts:
Dotcheck · 26/01/2023 21:37

I would love off street parking!
Is there any possibility of development to the back of house 2?

Namechanger355 · 26/01/2023 21:43

The holiday lets are probably ok provided no children or parties. Plus the view and off street parking is good for your guests even if you don’t drive

I would prefer house 1 as it’s so so spacious and has rooms for eg an office, storage, entertaining and a utility. but if house 2 works for you in terms of size and you much prefer it’s location then I would go with that

DisforDarkChocolate · 26/01/2023 21:47

The second one looks very tired compared to the first one. I know it's weird but the lack the of symmetry would put me off too.

Remember that you can't guarantee the field won't be built on.

Apologies for not being helpful.

Ivesaidenough · 26/01/2023 21:47

Whenever I have a decision like this I imagine I've made it. So choose one - doesn't matter which. Then see how you feel. Do you feel relieved? Or miserable? It can sometimes help you realise what you really want to do.

MrsMoastyToasty · 26/01/2023 21:51

With the second one I don't like the fact that the kitchen is a through room to the lounge.

LaFemmeDamnee · 26/01/2023 21:52

I would be put off by the location of the first one. Right by a college, football club, various takeaways - it will be SO noisy and busy. Maybe visit at college kicking out time. Plus it looks like it would cost a bomb to keep warm, which is a major consideration at the moment.

Azandme · 26/01/2023 21:54

The first one, it's so light and airy. The second is very small and dark.

Original poster
Greenfairydust · 26/01/2023 21:54

@DisforDarkChocolate I think house 2 looks dated because it has been let to the same person for years and not really updated over that period. I was told the fields are agricultural land with some marshes or something and unlikely to be built on. But you never know and EAs will say anything to try to convince you anyway...

OP posts:
Original poster
Greenfairydust · 26/01/2023 21:58

@LaFemmeDamnee
I have been back on that street several times at different time of the day and evening and it is actually rather quiet. There is only one small pizza place that never seems to be open. The football pitch is also not a source of noise. Kids don't seem to hang around the street at all.

OP posts:
Lincolnforever · 26/01/2023 22:03

Does the field flood? £20k on house two it would look like house one

SweetSakura · 26/01/2023 22:05

"fields at the back" would always worry me - there's a good chance they would be the next housing estate. It's worth checking the local plan for the area to see if the fields are allocated for development. And even if they aren't now they may well be in the future - just make sure you are happy to live with the risk

Viviennemary · 26/01/2023 22:09

I agree that possobility of land behind second house being built on woukd be a concern. If neither house is ideal keep looking. I prefer the first house.

Lincolnforever · 26/01/2023 22:24

I had a look at the Dover area local plan. The area is labelled flood zone 2 and 3. I would look into flooding as pp.

Lincolnforever · 26/01/2023 22:24

This is for 2nd house beside fields

Original poster
Greenfairydust · 26/01/2023 22:26

Thanks everyone. You have given me a lot to think of.

I could not find anything in planning documents about potential further development but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen. No records of flooding either.

I also viewed these two house but:

  • this one has an estate maintenance charges which puts me off although it is almost brand new and the field nearby can't be built on and it is much nicer in real life www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128770520#/?channel=RES_BUY
  • this one is very spacious but a 30 minute walk from the town's amenities and the train station, shame because it has potential and some really well kept houses and gardens on each side.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127238999#/?channel=RES_BUY

Maybe I should just continue searching and keep some hope that the right place will finally turn up...

OP posts:
Original poster
Greenfairydust · 26/01/2023 22:30

@Lincolnforever
I had a look at the Dover area local plan. The area is labelled flood zone 2 and 3. I would look into flooding as pp.''

Oh dear. I did not think about that. I just put the postcode into the government long term flooding online search and it came out as low risk but I did not think about checking the Dover Council data...

OP posts:
BotterMon · 26/01/2023 22:32

First for me. Far nicer but am not a fan of estates. In that area the risk of flooding due to the marshes is high and if built on behind will increase the risk.

parietal · 26/01/2023 22:37

Look carefully at the number of square meters you get for your money in each location. House 1 is DOUBLE the size of the others. but one bedroom is a loft with a dodgy ladder and may not be officially a bedroom.

if you are happy with the location of house 1, go for that.

PriamFarrl · 26/01/2023 22:37

Although house one looks nicer, you can make house two your own.

I think house two but are the fields likely to be built on and what is the flood risk.

Ofbollocks · 26/01/2023 22:38

I can't comment on area, but just on pictures alone, the first one is nicest.

HowCanIPayItForward · 26/01/2023 22:41

I really like house 1. I also don't drive and I'd choose proximity to town centre every time, plus I love the style and layout. I think the loft conversion probably wouldn't pass as a bedroom but no reason you couldn't use it as an office ot hobby room.

House 2 I'd be concerned about flooding and the possibility of development on the fields, it's a bit further from town, smaller and those types of estates tend to feel soulless imo.

Trinity65 · 26/01/2023 22:44

Personally I would go for House 1
Its really nice
House 2 would need modernization in a big way (in my opinion) and those fields could end up being built on

Margo34 · 26/01/2023 22:45

BotterMon · 26/01/2023 22:32

First for me. Far nicer but am not a fan of estates. In that area the risk of flooding due to the marshes is high and if built on behind will increase the risk.

Came to say the same. Flood risk, risk of development too big for me on house 2. And it needs a lot of work to update it.

House 1 appears to have more curb appeal, is more spacious and had the added room /loft conversion as well as a utility room and big garden.

Original poster
Greenfairydust · 26/01/2023 22:55

''@parietal · Tod
House 1 is DOUBLE the size of the others. but one bedroom is a loft with a dodgy ladder and may not be officially a bedroom.''

There is a picture missing on the Rightmove listing for some reason but there are two actual, proper bedrooms, plus the loft which is currently used as a spare bedroom (but should really be an office I think).

It can't be advertised as a 3 bed because the loft indeed is not officially a bedroom.

OP posts:
ACynicalDad · 26/01/2023 23:04

An occasionally bad holiday let isn't the end of the world, they would be gone in a few days. Any house can become one in a year or two. That said the first is so much prettier and the second isn't that modern so you aren't necessarily getting way better insulation etc.

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