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Original poster

Which one would you choose? Rightmove links

114 replies

Greenfairydust · 17/02/2023 10:16

The ongoing saga of my property search on the coast is hopefully coming to and end this week and I am preparing to make an offer on something. My budget is small so I have to compromise and I won't be able to afford a pretty house in a desirable street.

  • House A: My favourite. My one worry is that the lovely owners who want to move to a ground floor flat due to mobility issues have not found anywhere to move to yet and I don't want to be stuck in a chain for months while they look. A little bit of work needed (new flooring, removing old gas fireplace in the lounge and potentially adding bath tub to bathroom that only has shower) www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130701497#/?channel=RES_BUY
  • House C: probably the best bet in term of the property as the closest ti transport/high street but it has tenants in who have been given notice and might not want to move out. There are a couple of other people interested in this one, someone made an offer but is not proceed able yet and I think the estate agent is trying to use that to seek a higher offer and create a sense of urgency. I think the tenants still living there would really be a concern for me. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129832181#/?channel=RES_BUY

I think these houses are a bit overpriced compared to recently sold properties in these streets too so would be offering under asking price and closer to the average sold price.

What would you go for and how much would you offer?

All have been in the market for between a month - 3 months. I am chain free having sold my own home already.

OP posts:
Dolallytats · 17/02/2023 10:25

I've never bought a house so have no idea about realistic offers, but the house I would probably go for is the first one. It's your favourite and it looks spacious and light. The second house looks tiny and dark in comparison.
The 3rd house looks OK, but how important is a 3rd bedroom.
If this is a 'forever home' move, I think I'd hold out for the top one.
Good luck!

Original poster
Greenfairydust · 17/02/2023 10:29

@Dolallytats

Thank you for the feedback! :)

Yes it is in principle a ''forever house'' I am looking for and definitely my favourite on the list.

OP posts:
KimmySchmitt · 17/02/2023 10:40

My first instinct was property 2. Good kerb appeal, decorated nicely (if a little old-fashioned and dark) and really quite good-sized rooms for a 2 bed. But it depends how bad the location is, I don't know the area at all.

Having looked at it again, I actually think property 3 is nicest. The bedrooms in property 1 are really quite small, bathroom dated, no utility room. I'm not keen on it at all but it's not me that's buying it.

Could the tenants in property 3 work in your favour? Potential leverage on price? I can't advise what to offer as I'm in a totally different area with a very different market.

CallieQ · 17/02/2023 10:40

House B is my fave, but if location not good then go for A

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 17/02/2023 10:43

I like C, esp if it's close to transport.

Then B other than the horrible bathroom tile.

Original poster
Greenfairydust · 17/02/2023 10:49

The problem with B is that it is opposite a location that has a bad reputation locally because it used to house council tenants and quite a few people have mentioned that. But it is now a mixture of private and council so hard to know whether the reputation is still deserved.

And agent has just got back to me about this one as well which had tenants who are finally leaving on 1st March after finding somewhere to live.

This one is actually semi detached and in a better part of Mill road, so the plot thickens! www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127654289#/?channel=RES_BUY

OP posts:
Ilovemyshoppingtrolley · 17/02/2023 10:51

Have you been and visited the area?

House B is on the same road as a secondary school (unfortunately not the greatest of reputation), it is also fairly close to the railway line. It may also back onto a cemetery.

House A is in an ok area and not far from a Tesco Express or COOP. I think that it was either an old miners house or council house so built to last.

House C is also quite close to the same secondary school just a different entrance. It is quite a busy route with often cars parked down either side of the road. It is also a bus route.

Coxspurplepippin · 17/02/2023 10:56

B A C D but if B area not great I'd go A. Area is really important.

Original poster
Greenfairydust · 17/02/2023 10:58

@Ilovemyshoppingtrolley

I know, I actually rent nearby so I know the academy, cemetery and so on. House B doesn't back onto the cemetery, it is further down but is across the end of Stockdale Gardens though.

But as mentioned I cannot afford the prettiest parts of Deal so I need to compromise :). I actually don't have any issues with living on Mill Hill (especially coming from East London...).

House A is an old miner house with really strong walls and the neighbours are lovely too.

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 17/02/2023 11:09

I don't know the area but for ease of it having neutral decor and looks in good modern condition, I'd go for C. The fireplace in house A is giving me the fear!!

longtompot · 17/02/2023 11:13

House one - you could make a lovely kitchen diner across the back.

House two - would be a no for me having lived about that close to a railway line.

House three - is really nice. You mentioned the area not have a good reputation. Is this ongoing or in the past? The road we live on used to have a really bad reputation and I lived in the road next to it and would never go down this road, but it has changed. People look out for each other, most keep their gardens tidy. It's very different to the loud aggressive road it used to be. Another thought is about the training grounds. Are they floodlit? We have a rugby pitch behind us which is, and I am grateful our house is at the bottom end of it. The other houses which back onto it fully are fully lit for several evenings in the week.

House four - the utility looks as if it might have damp issues with the paint looking like it's coming off.

howmanybicycles · 17/02/2023 11:17

I think you might actually need to spend quite a lot on A to modernise it. It looks to me like new kitchen, bathroom and flooring needed and removal of the fireplace which will be v expensive. That said, if you're happy to do this over an elongated period of time and it's your favourite, go for that. If it's only been on the market 1-3 months, perhaps it's not surprising that the owners have not found anywhere yet. Second choice for me would be C

SaltnPeppaPig · 17/02/2023 11:22

D! It's a huge advantage to be end of terrace especially halls adjoining so your bedroom won't be next to another house.

I've bought a tenanted house and it worked out fine but obviously can be a risk.

SaltnPeppaPig · 17/02/2023 11:22

Oh semi not even end of terrace, even better

AlmostSummer21 · 17/02/2023 11:28

@Greenfairydust

I wanted to reply before looking at the actual properties.

Do any of them make you feel at home/happy?

what are you top 3 'must have/must be'?

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 17/02/2023 11:30

C, B, A, then D - D looks like it has damp and the kitchen is awful. C is nice and bright and spacious, without too much work needing to be done. B is decorated really nicely and has lovely period features, but is smaller. A looks like it needs a lot doing to it.

Frangipanitime · 17/02/2023 11:31

The issue with a is it’s not been touched for a long time, so needs work. Do you have the time and budget and can you live with it as is until it’s done?

C4tastrophe · 17/02/2023 11:40

House A

C4tastrophe · 17/02/2023 11:43

Just the road name and town is enough. The old RM listings can be found.

mewkins · 17/02/2023 11:43

I'd go for A. My house was in a similar state when we moved in. It takes time but I actually prefer to choose my own flooring, kitchen etc rather than be stuck with one because it's too good to rip out. It looks fine to move into and you can take your time doing it up. Location and neighbours are really important.

SnarkyBag · 17/02/2023 11:44

House C definitely. I like B but would never compromise on location, better to have the worst house on the best street than the best house on the worst street as they say!

Kastri · 17/02/2023 11:49

I prefer A,nice and bright,looks like its been a happy,well cared for home.
You can make your own changes as you go along.

Sugargliderwombat · 17/02/2023 11:50

House c. I like House b the best but if you've got doubts about the location don't so it. I really dislike House a, and I don't like the look on street view either.

OOlivePenderghast · 17/02/2023 11:58

I like A the best even though it needs work

C4tastrophe · 17/02/2023 12:07

C4tastrophe · 17/02/2023 11:43

Just the road name and town is enough. The old RM listings can be found.

Sorry, wrong thread.😳