A1 house or A1 area?

Sligo1

Hi there, just curious what peoples thoughts are on this.

We have the opportunity to buy an average (old) detached house (that we would need to renovate and extend after a few years) in what we deem is a fantastic area of Dublin. We also have the opportunity to buy an amazing house in what is still a good area of Dublin but imo not as great as where the first house is based.

Think Ranelagh (average house that you would need to put money Into) versus Blackrock (amazing house) or Ballsbridge (average house needing money) versus Mt Merrion (amazing house).

What would you guys opt for? I'm thinking if you buy in the better area there's always potential to get your money back if you ever needed to sell again. Whereas we may not get our money back if we opted for , the great house (still good but area would have a price ceiling).

Any opinions appreciated.

jam_mac_jam

If its a good area anyway, I would go for the better house. Much more important to quality of life then location, if the choice is between good and great that is. Good areas will still hold their value also.

Marcusm

What are the other factors? For example, average house in Ranelagh gives access to Luas and lots of cafes, bars, restaurants whereas an amazing house in Mount Merrion would be more suited to someone with kids of school age or who is more likely to socialise at home.

snubbleste

Location
Location
Location

galljga1

Location, location, location.

intheclouds

I would always look at the location first.

A great house in a bad area is never going to make you happy.

Sligo1

Hmmm... Ok I'm trying not to give too much info.

We've a couple young kids but a growing family. Both areas we are looking at are extremely suitable for our needs.
Both houses have good gardens. The average house needs work but will be grand for a few years. It's detached with good garden in very sought after area. Brilliant schools.

The other house in the good area has a big garden. the house is great size. No work needs to be done. The house is amazing! It's semi D. (Whereas the other is detached).

Just very undecided. I prefer the area of the first house but the thought of having to do up the house in 3/4 years time and putting a lot of money into it is putting me off slightly. But I love the area!

Transport etc makes no difference. They are both close to work, schools, facilities etc etc.

Thanks again.

Sligo1

intheclouds wrote: »

I would always look at the location first.

A great house in a bad area is never going to make you happy.

Hey thanks. Just to clarify. Both areas would be considered very good areas. Just one of the areas would be better.

intheclouds

Detached in an amazing area versus semi-d in a good area?

Detached!

galljga1

Detached all the way.

Dardania

The opportunity to put your own stamp on it would be a factor to consider

Sligo1

intheclouds wrote: »

Detached in an amazing area versus semi-d in a good area?

Detached!

I was thinking that. But... The semi d is actually huge. Twice the size. And completely done up to a fab standard! It's very hard to decide...

Millem

Sligo I am lolling here! I would prefer mount Merrion and blackrock over Ranelagh and ballsbridge!

I would look at the exact location. There are parts of blackrock that I wouldn't live in, or estate agents label it deansgrange and call it blackrock etc. Also in relation to primary schools the exact location is very important for schools as different roads are different parishes. I would avoid an old house like the plague. We are clearing out one at the mo and I would say you wouldn't even see €50k spent on it and it's freezing. If house gets you into carysfort NS I would seriously consider it, it's an excellent mixed primary school.

I love mount Merrion but parts are not great for transport....a big hill to walk up!!!!! Also lots and lots and lots of old people Great primary school but again look at enrolment policy and check roads are in parish. We were the youngest but about 40 years on our road.......all OAPs.

you can never change location of a house but can pretty much turn it in to anything you want

Sligo1

Thanks Millem, all great points. I spose another thing is... By the time the house in the great area is done up we'd be spent. Whereas the house that's already done up (although expensive) would see us with a few quid still In pocket. We can do both... But just weighing uo the pros and cons.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply

Balmed Out

If other then a notional reputation as a better area and detached is the only advantages of a house half the size I would go for the bigger one.

Villa05

Having oaps in an area is not a bad thing. I bet there is less break ins in an area where there is usually someone at home

You can change a house to your requirements but you can't move a house to a better area.

SEAI grants and Home renovation incentive available to upgrade homes

I would be edging towards the preferred location over the preferred house

Millem

Villa05 wrote: »

Having oaps in an area is not a bad thing. I bet there is less break ins in an area where there is usually someone at home

You can change a house to your requirements but you can't move a house to a better area.

SEAI grants and Home renovation incentive available to upgrade homes

I would be edging towards the preferred location over the preferred house

No there was an awful lot of break ins when we lived there. One horrendous case where the robber locked my two neighbours into a room and robbed them.....during the day. God love them. Excellent residents association though. (Mmra)
Excellent community centre with loads of things on for old people too!!! Someone even tried to rob us unsuccessfully thanks to our dogs
We had no kids at the time but now we have one I would prefer a more mixed age place. Where we bought there are lots of kids and it's so nice to that our boy has friends so close by. Also a lot of people (me included) use parts of mt Merrion to cut through and beat traffic. At times it was very hard to get out of the driveway in the morning

I too agree, location, location, location.

Millem

Millem wrote: »

we were the youngest but about 40 years on our road.......all OAPs.

Maybe I'm reading it wrongly, but are you saying that, as in it's a bad thing? I'd much rather a bunch of pensioners - You'd be much more likely to have peace and quiet, no? And not as many teenagers acting the bollocks out in the streets and the likes?

"OAP" area would be a huge selling point, for me, personally!?

Millem

Deleted User wrote: »

Maybe I'm reading it wrongly, but are you saying that, as in it's a bad thing? I'd much rather a bunch of pensioners - You'd be much more likely to have peace and quiet, no? And not as many teenagers acting the bollocks out in the streets and the likes?

"OAP" area would be a huge selling point, for me, personally!?

I am speaking from a parent's point of view now I have a toddler. I would prefer more families.

Bigcheeze

to be honest no one can give you a good opinion without you posting links to the houses, something you don't want to do which is fair enough.

The areas you mentioned are all premium areas, in the top 10-15 suburbs in Dublin so location isn't the primary issue IMO. In the absence of other information I'd say the house that is double the size.

Sligo1

Yea sorry I know I'm being vague... I'd like to post links but I don't wanna jinx it... Or obviously allow people to know where we might live etc...

intheclouds

Sligo1 wrote: »

Yea sorry I know I'm being vague... I'd like to post links but I don't wanna jinx it... Or obviously allow people to know where we might live etc...

Ah come on, we were hoping you'd give the bank details next

On a more serious note, if the areas you originally mentioned are the real areas (I thought they were just examples), then any would be grand in terms of location!

It's a very personal choice. I'd rather detached over semi-d in any location, but I wouldn't be after a large property.

So, really, you have to list the stuff relevant to YOU, and base it on that.

Earthhorse

Sligo1 wrote: »

Yea sorry I know I'm being vague... I'd like to post links but I don't wanna jinx it... Or obviously allow people to know where we might live etc...

I understand your concern but it's not like someone here is going to bid just because you posted a link.

It seems to me like your heart is set on the better house? Just comes across that way from your posts. You're the only one with the full facts; how much time you spend at home, how big a family you want, what budget you'll have to do up the house after etc.

I guess a good way to gauge how you're feeling is flip a coin; heads is one house, tails the other. If, after flipping, you feel like flipping again to get a different result then that's the one you want. Whether that's the right one for you is something only time can tell.

padjo5

A reasonably sound rule of thumb I heard many years ago, generally works out as wise:

'Buy the worst house on the best road'!

It's a nice position to be in so g'luck with your decision.

Sligo1

intheclouds wrote: »

Ah come on, we were hoping you'd give the bank details next

On a more serious note, if the areas you originally mentioned are the real areas (I thought they were just examples), then any would be grand in terms of location!

It's a very personal choice. I'd rather detached over semi-d in any location, but I wouldn't be after a large property.

So, really, you have to list the stuff relevant to YOU, and base it on that.

Thanks everyone, really appreciate all the feedback. We need to make a decision pretty soon so I think we're kinda leaning towards the better road. It's a decent house, and even tho the other house is by far better... Tbh the better road just feels right. We've been renting for a long time now so I nearly think any house that is our own will feel nice once we move in (sick of renting!). Let's just hope it works out now . Thanks again.

riclad

They are all good area,s ,.
i,d go for the largest house.
who knows what prices will be in 10 years time.
i don,t think prices will fall.
IF you might wish to have kids ,extra space is important.
when you buy a house think ,will i be happy to live here for 20 years plus.
FOR various reasons ,people often cant move out of the first house they buy,
prices fall where they are now , or prices rise in the area,s they might want to move to.So they end up staying where there are for 25 years at least.
the term starter home is a myth for many buyers .

Spanish Eyes

Sligo1 wrote: »

Thanks everyone, really appreciate all the feedback. We need to make a decision pretty soon so I think we're kinda leaning towards the better road. It's a decent house, and even tho the other house is by far better... Tbh the better road just feels right. We've been renting for a long time now so I nearly think any house that is our own will feel nice once we move in (sick of renting!). Let's just hope it works out now . Thanks again.

Your gut instinct is telling you the better road/area (in your opinion obv!).

If you do NOT buy this house and go for the other one, you will forever be saying "maybe we should have gone for the other one".

So, forget about the huge sq m in the other house, concentrate on the one you REALLY want and do the business and don't look back.

I know you will have to spend bobs on the detached, but over time, it will work out. And you will never have to worry about noisy neighbours up against your walls in a detached either!

I wish you the very best of luck. It is not an easy decision, but I think you have made your mind up now.

I bought a small house in a good area yonks ago. Against the advice of others who knew there were bigger houses in another area close by for the same price or lower. But I stuck to my guns. Would you believe after XX number of years, am still there, still happy as Larry. Gut instinct told me at the time.

VincePP

I'd go detached.

When you are in semi there's always potential issue with neighbour (remember the neighbour can change)

Also house that needs a little tlc can be done to your taste over a period.


If the semi was the house needing tlc and detached was the perfect house but in the "not as perfect as the other" location, then I'd still go detached.


Check with people you know and ask them about issues with neighbours - You'll find those in detached have virtually no issues.

So long term, you'll never regret a move to detached.

Sligo1

Thanks Spanish Eyes, that's really reassuring to read. And Vince.. You're right. We could just do things over time.

quadrifoglio verde

Forget the houses and their size. Buy the house in the area you like the most, once you can make the house work for you and your family

Want a big house? There's a 20000 square ft castle on 30 acres in louth for 1.5 million


But you'd have to live in louth :pac:

Teyla Emmagan

I would be buying the detached house. But also because it's in the better area. Though all those areas look good to me. I would always try and live as far away from anywhere dodgy as possible. I wouldn't live in a luxury penthouse for 50 euro a month if it was beside Fatima Mansions, say.

My idea of heaven would also be an area full of OAPs. No hordes of kids roaring at 10 pm, no gangs of feral teenagers, no student parties until 4am. Sounds brilliant to me. Old people rock.

Millem

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

I would be buying the detached house. But also because it's in the better area. Though all those areas look good to me. I would always try and live as far away from anywhere dodgy as possible. I wouldn't live in a luxury penthouse for 50 euro a month if it was beside Fatima Mansions, say.

My idea of heaven would also be an area full of OAPs. No hordes of kids roaring at 10 pm, no gangs of feral teenagers, no student parties until 4am. Sounds brilliant to me. Old people rock.

Teyla the places Sligo mentioned and from brief description, they houses are asking a huge amount of money. The houses could be 7 figures. More money the majority of people could ever spend on a house. I doubt now hordes of kids would be roaring or gangs of feral teenagers would be roaming around any of the houses in that price bracket

Villa05

Millem wrote:

Teyla the places Sligo mentioned and from brief description, they houses are asking a huge amount of money. The houses could be 7 figures. More money the majority of people could ever spend on a house. I doubt now hordes of kids would be roaring or gangs of feral teenagers would be roaming around any of the houses in that price bracket

Could be a general advise thread on location v quality of house

Plus no area is crime or drugs free

riclad

IN many area ,s crime is very low ,because kids grow up.
when the average age in an area is 30-40 crime rates go down .

Most crime or anti social behavior is carried out by teens under the age of 20 .
of course theres a small amount of professional criminals ,
drug dealers ,burglars ,or drug addicts will continue to commit crime .
Even as they grow older .
Even in rural area,s there,s crime and drug dealing .
All the area,s mentioned by the potential buyer are safe middle class area,s .of course buying a house in ballsbridge is a good investment ,
if you are think in terms of possible rise in the value of the house ,in 10-20 years .

Jen44

whats the insulation like in the detached house? We bought an older semi d house and couldnt get over how cold the house was in comparison with our younger first semi d. We have insulated the gable wall and was only commenting to hubby how detached houses must be so much colder then semi d's? Could be wrong though just something to consider. Our new house is on a road full of OAPS its bliss...so quite! Our last estate was full of young families and it drove me mad, even tho i am a parent myself!

Monife

I'm going to go against the grain here and say I would pick the semi-d. I'd HATE to move into a house that requires a good bit of work to it. Also, if your family is growing, would the larger house not suit?

April 73

Being able to design an extension & refurb a house to the way I want it is exactly why I'd buy the detached house. I love doing house stuff & I'm right in the middle of a two year house refurb & extension project.
Everyone wants something different thankfully.
For me I'd choose the detached house (a huge bonus which you don't appreciate until you experience it) on the better road & do it up and extend it over time. It sounds like the long-term family home so you can take your time to do it up.

Sligo1

Hi all, we ended up walking away from both houses. We were bidding on the detached in the great area and we had to decide whether we wanted to up the bid or walk away as it was getting very expensive and tbh we didn't think it was worth it in the end. Better properties on the same road have gone for less.. As we would have to put a big extension on we decided to walk away and try and get something in the same area that perhaps isn't as small and wouldn't need as much work.

We decided not to bid in the great house as after taking a few drives down the road it was on we realised it was actually quite a busy road and would prefer something not so busy for the kids.

What will be will be I spose... Hopefully something more suitable comes up soon (fingers crossed).

Thanks for all the advice .

Earthhorse

Hard luck. Better luck next time.

April 73

Sounds sensible to be honest. The right house will come along.