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Buying first house
femster87 - 30/12/11 at 08:11 PM

Hi guys after some advice from the more informed and experienced members of the forum.

As i think am getting olders now I decided to look into buying a place of my own and stop spending on cars for the time being. I found an area (new to me) but close enough for myself and mrs to commute to work. A particular property caught my eye as it was a new build unusually cheap. Anyways, I viewed it to day and found out it is a repossession joby hence the price. I also found a hole in the downstairs wall, when i enquired it was used to grow cannabis until busted.

As I dont know anything about this, is there anything I need to watch out for?

Also am not too keen on the neighbours cause their back garden is in a state. Estate agent has just reported them to the council to get it cleared. I am thinking they might be an handful. (nothing like horrible neighbours.

Ps am not snubby just like to live in peace I find arguments with neighbours very draining.

Thanks alot.

JoelP - 30/12/11 at 08:20 PM

There can be few things worse than bad neighbours. And if you buy, you are stuck with them really. Thats the main reason why i bought a small house in a nice area, as opposed to a larger house in a shite area. The neighbours are just nice people, they all smile and say hi, dave even notes down the pikey reg plates when they poke around!

snapper - 30/12/11 at 08:35 PM

As its a repo you should get a good survey done so you have no surprises.
You can put 6 foot fence up between you and the neighbor at the back then add 2 foot trelace and use plants to run through it.
At the front you have less options, if there front is messy it could make a sale in the future difficult.
I had a dodgy neighbour, certainly gave me a few years of problems, they left after the social services and the police were involved plus the joint support of other neighbours.

femster87 - 30/12/11 at 08:41 PM

Yes the front of the house has been dug up abit. As its a new build as well, sound proofing is not great. I would not appreciate arguments and loud music late into the night. I might go during the week and speak to the neighbours on other side of the road. Yes I would have to get a survey before purchasing.

nick205 - 30/12/11 at 09:02 PM

Take your time and look at a good few houses first. As above dodgy neighbours are to be avoided at all costs - even at a bargain purchase price.

Also echoing Joel's comments, we opted for a smaller house in a better area, knowing we'd be happier in the long term. We must have visited the (vacant) property 6-7 times before committing. We had a good chat with both immediate neighbours to get a feel for them and the street too.

McLannahan - 30/12/11 at 09:02 PM

My mother always said to buy a crap house in a nice area, and not a nice house in a crap area. You can almost always improve a house but you can't easily improve the neighbourhood or area.

zilspeed - 30/12/11 at 09:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by McLannahan
My mother always said to buy a crap house in a nice area, and not a nice house in a crap area. You can almost always improve a house but you can't easily improve the neighbourhood or area.


Too right.

Good neighbours are crucial.

femster87 - 30/12/11 at 09:20 PM

Thanks alot guys, would have a look at a few more places

Alfa145 - 30/12/11 at 10:19 PM

If you have even the smallest doubt then walk away and look at other properties. Its a big purchase to get wrong. Visit multiple times at different times of the day. I found that when I was looking I knew I had found the right house as it just "felt right" and 5 years on so far so good. Great neighbours, reasonable area and a good garage

contaminated - 31/12/11 at 10:37 AM

Walk away in my view. If it's the sort of area where they grow drugs and the neighbours don't mind you don't want to be there do you? A slightly harsh and simplified view I know - but I know what it's like to get hung up on one house first time round - second time you learn to take your time!

franky - 31/12/11 at 12:01 PM

as above, it'll be hard to sell and you'll regret it after a few months. Also you need to be closer to lincoln

femster87 - 31/12/11 at 03:48 PM

[Edited on 31/12/11 by femster87]

femster87 - 31/12/11 at 03:49 PM

Thats true franky, I would try to be as close as possible to Lincoln

quote:
Originally posted by franky
as above, it'll be hard to sell and you'll regret it after a few months. Also you need to be closer to lincoln

femster87 - 31/12/11 at 03:50 PM

Thanks again for the reply guys. Taking your advice I have been on the prowl today. I can across a place called hatfield and also stainforth close to doncaster. Anybody live in the area? recommendations?

bobinspain - 31/12/11 at 04:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by femster87
Thanks again for the reply guys. Taking your advice I have been on the prowl today. I can across a place called hatfield and also stainforth close to doncaster. Anybody live in the area? recommendations?



Things change, but 'Stainey' had a bad rep 20 yrs ago.
Why not look a bit further east, Craiselound, Haxey, Westwoodside, Misterton All 20-30 mins south of 'sunny scunny' so 20-30 mins closer to Lincoln. All very rural and some good boozers.
Gainsborough's just about the cheapest place in the country to buy. If giving that a try, then rent for 6 months before you commit.
We lived in Craiselound for 9 years (25 mins from Donny) and Finningley for three. Good times and happy times.

Good luck.

Bob.

fullpint - 31/12/11 at 04:22 PM

Its worth taking to the neighbours (even the ones around the corner)before you view.. When the bungalow next door went up for sale we had a visit from the lady's son.. Asking us what the area it like.. I filled him in on the + and - after all no street is perfect and we all have a local 'twat' near by..
The last house we had we sold due to the neighbours.. Shame real cause it would have been paid off 3 years ago!! Still thats life mate. I'm sure that you will purchase another house with in a couple of years of buying your first one.
Good luck..