Viewed a near-perfect house yesterday, one thing putting me off

[booomshackalack]

Currently in an elevated two up two down mid terrace with two DCs of opposite sex sharing a room, DCs are 13 and 9. On street parking which is terrible at times.

We viewed a house yesterday which we fell in love with and it ticks a lot of boxes - only a few steps at the front door, three bedrooms plus a dining room and converted loft, new style kitchen and bathroom and home survey highlights no issues. It's another mid terrace, we were set for a while on a semi however with the economy and fuel bills as they are, it probably makes more financial sense to go for a mid. We are moving within a very sought after area where semis in particular get snapped up fast at tens of thousands over asking so no guarantee we would even get one if we held out i guess.

The only downside is it's on-street parking. The majority of the street are semi-detached houses with their own driveway, with just a couple of rows of terraces. When viewing yesterday it didn't look too bad - or at least, not as bad as where we live atm! Would this put you off if the house seemed ideal in every other way? I guess in the future we could look at putting a drive in the front garden, although it would be a shame to rip the front garden as it's quite nice.

You already have on street parking. If you move, you will have on street parking and a better house for you. So it’s a no brainer for me - definitely move!

Having a drive is not important.

Having parking is.

My parking is a designated spot about a 5 minute walk away and although it’s not ideal, it isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Mine is rented so it’s a bit different but the pros absolutely outweigh the cons.

My friend however lives near a hospital and can sometimes literally not find any parking anywhere near her street.

As PPs suggested look in the evening when most cars are home and see how many empty spaces there are.

I’d also look to see if other mid terraces have had a drive put in.

If there are literally no spaces to park then I’d be worried but if there are quite a few places to park on this street or one close by then I’d bite their hand off.

Is there precedent? Do any other houses on the street have dropped kerbs and driveway parking?
Once other houses have that benefit, it would be extraordinary for the Council to refuse you the same.

@askmenow all the semis and end terraces in the street have driveways and dropped kerbs, the four mid terraces on the street have front gardens.

What's the plan if you don't go for this? How many other places come up in your area?

This time last year plenty were coming up but not so much recently. Decent ones get snapped up fast as parents of younger kids want into the area for the schools, prior to the rate rises homes were going for about eg 50k over asking on a semi on the market at offers over 280k, say. They're still going to offers over but maybe not quite as much as before, demand keeps the houses selling over home report value.

I would go and look at the parking at the times of day you would usually need to park. So after work, after school run, after regular evening activities. That’s when it matters what it’s like. Do you have one car or two?
Remember it’s summer holidays though so probably quieter than average.
Do you know anyone who lives nearer to the house you can ask?

I had street parking near a school and it was fine.

I live on a Cul de sac with a drive now and it's a nightmare. Cars parking so you can't get past. A massive truck that park on our neighbours garden (without permission) and blocks my drive so I can not reverse out

Surely it depends on what kind driver you are?
Parking always stresses me out. I'm shit at manoeuvring into small spaces and shit at parallel parking.
Where I used to live there was plenty of parking until a lot of the older residents passed away/moved into homes. Then you had families with teenagers moving in... each with a car. So 4+ cars per household. The cars stayed despite them going away to uni and such, and they're now back home because rents are sky high.

But if you are the sort who doesn't worry, and can find a convenient parking spot wherever you are... shouldn't be an issue.

I mean I'm pretty sure other things may be more important. Like space for your kids or schools. I'm sure as stressed as I'd be those would be worse for me and I'd have to grit my teeth for the kids' sake. But if I had a choice? 100% nope.

Can you ask one of the other people who live there what the parking is like?

That is the first thing I’d have done as it’s your only concern. Can you go now and ask before it gets dark, you might be able to catch someone outside.

Or go in the morning. I’m baffled that no one is suggesting this, or that you’ve not just gone ahead and done it.

Wouldn’t waste your time checking at different time it’s pointless
it could be fine now but next year next door could have 2 kids that start driving that’s 2 extra cars

Driveway was number one requirement for us after previously living in a town centre and sometimes having to park 5-10 minutes walk away

I need to go out tomorrow morning so I'll park up nearby and walk round the block, likely I'll do the same early evening before I pick DD up from her friends house. Will knock on a door if I can pluck up the courage! Will report back tomorrow and update, thanks to everyone who responded, I appreciate it.

That sounds good, Op. It does seem like a great house. Knocking on the other doors to find out the parking situation, you can do it!

Or have a tradesperson move in that has a couple of erm work vans.
Yes, things could change.
Where we live as well many places that used to free on street parking the council have put bays in and started charging.

Of course this is all speculation but you also want to look at the type of place... maybe anticipate future parking.

It's not just about your current situation - it could also lower the value of the house when you come to sell. But hopefully it doesn't matter too much by that point.

I moved from a long street which was almost totally mid-terraces and the on street parking was an issue there. The ratio of semis to terraced that you describe makes me think there wouldn’t be much competition for parking. We moved to a semi and the heating bill is astronomical. I think you’re smart to try to go for a mid-terrace again. What I would give to have that insulation from the neighbours again 😂.

Go back at 6pm and on a weekend, that will give you a better idea of how many cars are on the street during busier times

My DM, at 88, no longer has a car but in her small town centre cul de sac of 16 two up, two down properties (mostly let as flats) parking is very tight, but free, and everything nearby is closely regulated. Some houses have four cars, plus a big van so it's double parking all the way up and you leave a card in the windscreen with your number in case someone needs you to let them out. Surprisingly, it works generally quite amicably.

I live in London snd only two houses have off street parking. I can usually park right outside my house or across the street. It certainly wouldn't stop me - there's always a compromise and the pros would outweigh it .

Me too. I wouldn’t even view a house that didn’t have off the road parking.

@ohtobeme oh and patience is a virtue.

Oh I'd chuck the children to the wolves to have perfect parking. Of course.
🙄🙄🙄

the children can wait a little longer to get a house with parking and have a less stressed mother.

I'd prioritise getting home to my children earlier instead of spending at least half an hour circling for parking.

not sure why you brought walking into it. 💁🏻‍♀️

@Goldencup

would you care to explain...

It's not about 'a little further away' or exercise! It's about the utter fucking frustration of getting home from work, & having to drive around & around until someone decides to go out & leave a space.

made worse when
you need a week
any/toddler/both are tired, hungry & crying
shoppings defrosting

it makes popping out something you really don't want to have to do.

Im not moving until I find a house, with a driveway.

I ended up buying a house with a drive, but I could have settled for one without, IF the on street parking situation wasn't a hassle. As other posters have said, check at key times ie 7pm on a week day when everyone is home from work.

What I do like about a driveway is that it potentially future proofs your home if electric cars become the norm, as you can install a charging point, which for on street parking looks hard(er).