Those of of you who read my other thread about moving out of my house and divorcing my housemate will be familiar with the story, but yesterday I went to view what I thought would be my dream home (but is RIGHT next to the railway line).
Guess what - it IS my dream home! I fell in love with it, and the railway did not bother me one bit. However, I need to calm down and get some logic into this and see if it's the right thing to do to buy it - could anyone offer any opinions?
Basically, the house is on the same level as the railway and this runs right past the house. There is one of those barrier things outside (the house is an end terrace and the barrier's just by the end of the house). I was there for 3 hours (!) during which time I stood in the front bedroom with the window open, listening to the barrier and the trains and I can't believe this, but it actually was fine. I found it rather charming in fact and would be 100% happy to live in that proximity. The house turned out to be double glazed, so when you were just going about your business, you really couldn't notice them, the only time I did was when one went past fast, you felt the vibrations. Obviously in the garden you could hear, but I'm used to that where I am now so in fact, that was no issue.
Ironically, the only issue I have is the lack of parking - you can't park outside on the road because there's not room for a car and then for people to wait at the barrier. There are 5 cottages in the row and they just park half on the pavement in the road that leads off, you can see it from the windows so it's still close.
What do you all think? The way I see it, the positives are: this is in the perfect area for me, the only way I can afford to live there is if I buy a house which has been priced lower because of the railway. If I don't live there, I can still live in a nice area, it just won't be the same (or as nice). The house has 3 beds (unbelievable, as I thought I would get a 2 bed flat max in that area - in fact, it turns out that I will be lucky to get that and don't want a flat anyway). It has a wonderful, happy feel to it and it's really nicely decorated. I would change certain things obviously, but no biggie. It feels secure, as there is the signal box opposite and 2 police houses next to that - good as I am on my own. Not overlooked at the back at all. End terrace + layout means no rooms actually join onto the neighbours apart from the loft conversion (where they sleep but I would have as a spare room) and my bathroom with their front bedroom (which they don't use and have no kids).
Negatives: no parking, possible resale issues (they tell me they have actually sold twice in the 7 months on the market, but both times buyers let them down - one couldn't sell her house, one couldn't get a mortgage). Can't really think of any more.
I'm buying on my own as I say, and it is over my budget so I can't afford to mess this up (assuming they will take a lower offer anyway). It's on at 210,000 - what would be a fair offer to make would you say?
The parking issue is the bit that would concern me. Putting my contigency hat on, What if one of your neighbours have a get-together and half a dozen extra cars on the pavement, would you still be able to park nearby? Is there any room in the front garden to make into a driveway?
If I were you, I may go and have a look at a couple of other houses before putting in an offer. Good luck.
OK take of rose tinted glasses (put wine back in fridge!!)
Find out what the train timetable is. Will early/ late trains keep you awake? Are there any freight trains going through late at night?
Parking WILL be an issue if you have a car. How do the current owners resolve parking issues. Will it be a problem finding car parking for visiting friends? If you have a car ask your insurance company if it will effect your payments much?
Sounds like the rest of the area is perfect. plus you got a good vibe which is truely important. Having the rozzers near by means it should be a low crime area. Is it good for local connections pub, shops ect. Also is there a nearby train station with good links to a major city/ town? If so this will add to your properties value.
Me i think if you can overcome the parking issue put an offer in. You could start with offering what you can afford...dont forget interest rates are marching up. Cheeky bid for 190 k could be a stratigy. The estate agent could then come back with an idea of what the prospective sellers want to accept and you can negotiate from there. If two sales fell through they might be in a hurry to sell.
Laura, Laura, Laura! It sounds lovely and you sound really excited.
Thing is, you have to play this very carefully. You don't want to show all your cards straight away. Let the agent know you're interested - but not THAT interested - play hard to get a little.
The agent will probably ask for your feedback on the viewing. Just be non-committal, "I've a few others to see".
The agent will ask about your budget. Tell them it is over your budget slightly. When you come to make your offer, the agent will pass this knowledge to the vendor. "She can't really afford much more than X". They will be more likely to accept a lower offer.
Can you find out if it has been reduced in price at all? How much did it go "sale agreed" for with the other potential buyers? This will give you an indication of how much the vendor will accept. Did it get as far as survey? If so, can you have a look at the report?
Before you offer, get your agreement in principle for your finance (it makes you seem like a serious - and desirable - buyer) and sort out the situation with your housemate. Will she be buying you out? Can she afford to?
If you are not in a position to proceed, the EA may advise their vendor not to accept your offer until you are, so they can keep their options open.
When offering, always go 15% below asking as a first offer. You may get away with less than this if the vendor has already found something they want to buy (and the chances are, they have something lined up because they thought they'd sold before).
If you are turned down, you can always increase later on. It's not as if there is another interested party or the house is new to the (untested) market.
Please let us know how you get on. We are all agog!
Crystal/Matt - the parking thing *is* a concern, but to be honest I don't think it's enough to put me off. If people visit, they can park in the same street that I do, or further along my road I suppose, Definitely in the road the current people park in, everyone has a drive so it's only really the 4 cottages in my row that use it. Good point about the insurance, but I have a company car so shall not worry about this to be honest.
Donna - I know, I have to reign myself in!!
You are bang on in what you say (as usual) the thing is, I was practically wetting myself with excitement whilst I was round there, me and the vendors were even working out where my sofa would go! Unfortunately I think the "playing it cool" card is a bit of a non-starter Although, I did say to them that my issue wasn't with the railway line, it was with the parking (thank god I kept my wits about me at some point) so hopefully I can do something with that.
I don't know how much the offers were for, I guess I could ask the agent - would they be likely to tell me do you think? Same for the survey. I am a little surprised the agent hasn't rung me to get feedback to be honest, I thought they normally did?
I asked the vendors if they'd mind me bringing my boyfriend round to see it this week and they were very obliging, they are *such* nice people and that house has such a lovely feeling to it. They actually are going into rented accommodation because they have to relocate due to husband's job but don't know where yet. They would really like to have everything sorted by July apparently. The house has been on the market for 7 months, so not sure if they realised it would take this long to sell or what, given that they don't *have* to be doing stuff until July.
I spoke to my housemate today, she will be buying me out (I told the vendors she was, hoping that was true) but does not want to have responsibilty for the house until June, as she has committed to renting somewhere in London until then.
I have suggested we crack on, get the valuations, agree a price and exchange asap with a view to a long completion date. She agreed which suits us both - she gets the house at today's price rather than 4 months time, I get to sort my new home quicker and we both hopefully get a good deal on a mortgage.
That's why I asked the question about the deposit, I haven't seen any replies yet though. My mortgage advisor did some work last week foe me and says she has found lenders who will give me up to 150K (definitely don't want that as repayments a bit steep) but might need 140. She says no problem on lending, as I have no debts and am putting probably a 30% deposit down.
Now I bet you wish you had given your housemate a few less months to decide, eh?
Sounds lovely, especially the happy feel to it. I always pay attention to that.
Just don't give too much away too soon to your housemate, especially if she is the sort that likes stuffing things up for others, don't know if she is or not. Certainly don't tell her how much you like the place. If she was such inclined she could well drag her feet for months, something you definitely don't need.
I live right next to a main line railway, it really isn't a problem, I can't remember the last time I heard a train, you get oblivious to them. When steam trains come along in the Summer everyone waves if I'm in the field!
Mel - you don't know the half of it - I genuinely found all the trains going past really charming!!
I know that sounds tragic, but the whole thing -the old signal box with the bloke in, the barrier things going up and down - it was all just lovely. And I am not being facetious either - what am I becoming?!
Seriously, on the resale - how concerned should I be with that? I am presently working on the basis that this is the only way I will afford a home in my preferred area. I am not planning on moving unless I guess I set up home with a gentleman caller so I am buying it for me and me alone.
HC - hopefully all ok with housemate. To be honest, the reason I suggested the early exchange is to stop any potential messing or changes of mind, plus of course it does genuinely have the benefits for me in terms of getting on and showing commitment to vendors. Plus for her, it does make sense so hopefully we are all ok. Mind you, she is round at her parents this afternoon, so I am just hoping they haven't put her off, although I don't see what she has to lose.
Laura... I grew up in a road called Station Rd. now that's a clue! .... and it was the main London line at that. Yes, it was noisy but Kids sleep through anything! Property without parking these days can be an issue...as in your case. Mel.
A railway line runs past the bottom of my garden. It is in a cutting and the garden is a long one. (as a matter of fact it used to be shorter but we bought land from the railway to make the garden bigger. Of course we very quickly got used to it and really only notice it in the summer watching TV with windows open.
There are two things I would say. First, near a railway line is a good site for minor industries to get planning permission, so look at it with that in mind. Second, although it will certainly be OK most of the time, occasionally there will be works on the line, usually very late at night, and the trains might have orders to sound the horn as warning and there might be noisy machinery. It is rare, but a nuisance when it happens. The local cafe will do a good trade though.
Pont, that's what I'm thinking - the 3 beds is an absolute result as far as I'm concerned. In fact, the whole house is lovely and to be honest, I'm thinking the whole railway is a blessing for me because it means I can afford to live where I want, and as you say, I see no reason to be moving on anytime soon.
Mel - I agree, the parking is the thing for me as well. But - I only have one car, I can easily park it (and when I come back from the supermarket I could stick it up on the kerb outside my house to unload etc without too much bother I think) so I'm moving to the side of "it's worth it if I can get the house and the rest of the benefits". The way I see it, there's always a compromise when you're on a budget and I'd rather have less parking and a potential wait for a buyer at an unspecified time in the future than lose the house. Well, that's my thinking at the moment
Pasadena - I can't wait, apparently they sometimes have steam trains come past on a Sunday - I'll never get rid of my stepfather though, he *lvoes* trains
Johnbee, luckily there isn't room for any industry around there, it's a residential area and there's nothing like that around there at all (and since they built a load of new homes a few years ago and took all the land up)! I did wonder about the works on the line, as I sometimes hear that happening now (on infrequent occasions) but they say they've not heard anything, so either the double glazing prevents it or it just doesn't happen in that particular part of the line.
Do you think it's best to ask the agents about the other offers, or the vendors direct?
Originally posted by Laura NB: Yes pont, the 2 failed ones?
It seems you have already talked to the vendors about this. You could always ask the EA and see if the stories match. Also ask why the prospective buyers couldn't get a mortgage. It's questionable though whether you will get a complete (read: honest) answer.
Hi Laura, and congratulations on finding a great property!
A couple of things about parking. We live in a terraced house which sometimes is impossible to park outside. Sometimes we have to park in another street. This is really only a problem with the weekly shop, now my children are 5, but when they were babies wasn't great, but we're still here!
Another thing is deliveries of very large items, as some companies won't stop in the middle of a road to offload.
Anyway, these may not be issues for you, so good luck with everything!
That's what I was thinking pont, at the end of the day they're there to do the best for the vendors so I reckon I'd get more out of the vendors to be honest.
Do you think it's worth asking the agents what the lowest is they'd accept, or should I just go in with a lower offer and go from there? Would 190 be ok or do you reckon I could get away with less?
Sandydog, that's so good to know - thank you. It really helps to hear how it works practically - I've already planned to park outside when unloading from the weekly shop and also, with delivery vans they can get right up to the kerb, so I hope that would be ok.
Actually, thinking about it, I'm not sure there would be necessarily a restriction on me parking outside. I mean, there are no lines there or anything, it's just that people don't. i just assumed it's because of the level crossing being there and so if we all park there, the cars would be stopped at it on the other side of the road which could be awkward when stuff comes the other way I suppose!
Ok dont forget they had two previous sales that fell through so its not like they cant sell the place..they have just been unlucky.
The EA's are often unlikely to give info on what previous offer was accepted. Dont forget they work for the seller and its there job to squeeze as much money as they can out of you. I had a buyer that strung me along for 6 months befor pulling out. Then a guy put an offer in and literally disappeared and wouldnt return EA calls for 6 weeks. In this time i had a bidding war with three potential buyers and good an extra 7.5k
Play it cool with the EA , they know you want it bad but say you can only afford X and do they think vendor would accept? Vendor will then probably come back with a yes (desperate to see) or a we we hoping for X. At this point the game is afoot.
Beware they will probably try to find out what you really can afford to pay by questioning you about your income etc. Would avoid any morgage offers they try to make you as they often do this to just find out your what you can really afford to pay.
I know just what you mean about the trains going past being charming - I used to live right next to the railway line myself, and really liked the noise of the freight trains rumbling past at night. There's something very cosy about it!
I'd much prefer train noise to road noise, which is what I have now :-(
