Anyone single/buying on their own?

Hi all,

I'm just wondering if there are m/any out there who are looking to embark on the house buying journey on their own, with no financial assistance from a partner.

I'm in that boat, and my budget has me completely torn. On one hand, I could afford a decent house with a bit of land and such, but it'd have to be out of the way in the middle of nowhere.. which actually really appeals to me, as the place I currently live is overrun with antisocial scumbags, so the thoughts of having no one around for miles, is appealing.

However, I then realise I might get older and not have access to a car or decent health if I were to fall down stairs and break legs or such. Which makes the remoteness a bit iffy. Also, if i lost my job (I work remotely/drive everywhere), I'd have a long commute to a fixed location if i got work.


On the other hand, I can buy in the general area I'm in at the moment, but I'll likely pay a good bit more for a smaller house, or one that's in need of complete renovation. You also run the risk of having a tiny back garden and the usual tight narrow roads, and small driveways that lead to current 'new' estates being swamped with cars abandoned everywhere, people living on top of each other, and the risk of the govt. housing antisocial scumbags beside you (thus defeating the purpose of moving, altogether).

I've always lived in a house, and the thoughts of an apartment don't really appeal to me as, firstly, any I've ever been in have poor soundproofing, and secondly, even if you buy, you're generally hit with rent anyway, in the form of a maintenance/management fee. I like the certainty of buying a house and knowing I won't have any maintenance fees etc. to worry about (property tax aside).

I'm wondering what other folks are doing, or what mental gymnastics ye are facing. Or are others a bit more certain about what they're looking for and just waiting it out until a house in a specific area comes up for sale?

mickdw

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm just wondering if there are m/any out there who are looking to embark on the house buying journey on their own, with no financial assistance from a partner.

I'm in that boat, and my budget has me completely torn. On one hand, I could afford a decent house with a bit of land and such, but it'd have to be out of the way in the middle of nowhere.. which actually really appeals to me, as the place I currently live is overrun with antisocial scumbags, so the thoughts of having no one around for miles, is appealing.

However, I then realise I might get older and not have access to a car or decent health if I were to fall down stairs and break legs or such. Which makes the remoteness a bit iffy. Also, if i lost my job (I work remotely/drive everywhere), I'd have a long commute to a fixed location if i got work.


On the other hand, I can buy in the general area I'm in at the moment, but I'll likely pay a good bit more for a smaller house, or one that's in need of complete renovation. You also run the risk of having a tiny back garden and the usual tight narrow roads, and small driveways that lead to current 'new' estates being swamped with cars abandoned everywhere, people living on top of each other, and the risk of the govt. housing antisocial scumbags beside you (thus defeating the purpose of moving, altogether).

I've always lived in a house, and the thoughts of an apartment don't really appeal to me as, firstly, any I've ever been in have poor soundproofing, and secondly, even if you buy, you're generally hit with rent anyway, in the form of a maintenance/management fee. I like the certainty of buying a house and knowing I won't have any maintenance fees etc. to worry about (property tax aside).

I'm wondering what other folks are doing, or what mental gymnastics ye are facing. Or are others a bit more certain about what they're looking for and just waiting it out until a house in a specific area comes up for sale?

Id agree about apartments. Management fees and hidden defects make for headaches.
Buy a house in the country if it suits you right now.
Make sure its mortgageable and you should always be able to sell it on in future if you want to move.
Buy a bungalow - stairs in the open countryside really are pretty pointless.

L1011

Buying in the middle of nowhere just exposes you to the risk of very different antisocial behaviour, it doesn't remove it at all.

berocca2016

Location, location, location buy a house you can afford in a place that suits you the most at the present and in the future !

L1011

L1011 wrote: »

Buying in the middle of nowhere just exposes you to the risk of very different antisocial behaviour, it doesn't remove it at all.

Care to elaborate?

L1011

Deleted User wrote: »

Care to elaborate?

Difficult neighbours: boundary disputes, access disputes
Break-ins
Teenagers hanging out in your shed rather than in the laneway near a house

Country life is far from idyllic.


An isolated house is also likely to have poor to no broadband until NBI eventually get to it, a septic tank that will eventually need replacement or an on-site sewage system with maintenance costs, possibly a very poor water supply (well or GWS), higher electricity standing charge.

Dolbhad

My brother had this dilemma. He bought a smaller house closer to the city. Before covid he rented a room for a few years to put a dent in the mortgage. He said that was the main reason - if something was to happen to his job, renting a room would help him meet mortgage payments and it would be tax free.

L1011

L1011 wrote: »

Difficult neighbours: boundary disputes, access disputes
Break-ins
Teenagers hanging out in your shed rather than in the laneway near a house

Country life is far from idyllic.

Ah okay. None of those are issues I'd anticipate. When I say remote, I mean remote. Break ins would be the most likely issue, as any rural house is an obvious target, as there's no Garda presence, but sure I live a 5 minute drive from my local garda station and I made a 999 call about a break-in... It took them over two hours to tell me they weren't going to be attending. :rolleyes:

An isolated house is also likely to have poor to no broadband until NBI eventually get to it, a septic tank that will eventually need replacement or an on-site sewage system with maintenance costs, possibly a very poor water supply (well or GWS), higher electricity standing charge.

Those are, to me, just part of rural living. Not ideal, of course, but they're not really "issues" in and of themselves. Just part of the pros/cons list of rural VS public, I think.


Most places I've looked at, have been cheap enough, and almost all of them have warned at there are issues with the septic system, so I'd imagine buying a rural property, you'd be looking at revamping/replacing that system as part of buying the house, anyway.




To give an example of a place I liked, this is something I was looking at, but now I'm having second thoughts about, albeit I still may make an offer;


https://www.daft.ie/for-sale/detached-house-legnagrow-glangevlin-co-cavan/2738750

Michael_Res1

I'm single and looking to buy on my own. One thing I've factored in is that as you get older your less inclined to venture out as much and just have less energy. Idyllic rural location sounds great now but it wouldn't benefit me as a single guy. I want to be close to the city or at least in a commuter town where theres good transport links. Socialising and being in the thick of things is important at least for your mental health.

borderlinemeath

L1011 wrote: »

Difficult neighbours: boundary disputes, access disputes
Break-ins
Teenagers hanging out in your shed rather than in the laneway near a house

Country life is far from idyllic.


An isolated house is also likely to have poor to no broadband until NBI eventually get to it, a septic tank that will eventually need replacement or an on-site sewage system with maintenance costs, possibly a very poor water supply (well or GWS), higher electricity standing charge.

My anecdotal experience is entirely the opposite.

Lived in Dublin until I was in my 30's. Had a few break ins (2 houses/1 apartment) and a few rotten neighbours. I'd never move back.

Living in Meath the past 15 years, 5km from a big town. Fantastic neighbours, who all look out for each other. Closest we've had to a break in was the farm across the road a few years back and our dogs went ballistic - it would be a brave burglar who would try and get past them! I work from home, broadband is good these days, (in fairness it wasn't 15 years ago), 5 mins drive to anything I need in the town, 5 mins drive to a fantastic beach, half hour to the airport (when we're allowed fly again) 45 mins to family each direction (Dublin/Monaghan) and don't have to deal with the twitching windows of neighbours which was always the case in Dublin. While I live with my family, on both sides are people living alone, one who has lived their all their life, the other, like me, a Dub who would never return.

The only thing I'd say to the OP is that the pandemic has changed market trends for houses in the countryside. With many workers given the option of working for home it has given a boost to rural housing stock so prices have increased slightly and availability is still a problem.

Do you know the Glan area OP?
It is very rural, but not so far from enniskillen for shopping etc.

I live alone, sold a house in South County Dublin a few years ago, didn't like living in suburbia. I'm near the Phoenix Park now & like it much better. I like the options that I have in the city.
It really does depend on location. I could buy a few houses in cavan/leitrim, but I couldn't live there all the time.

Decide on your location first, then look for the house, that's my advice anyway.

bubblypop

bubblypop wrote: »

Do you know the Glan area OP?
It is very rural, but not so far from enniskillen for shopping etc.

I don't, really. I am the kind of person who isn't fussed about where in general I end up, but there are some things I'd like. My concern about that particular house is, although you mention Enniskillen, it's still a half an hour drive away (and although there are a few towns a similar distance, there doesn't seem to be anything much closer).


That's my only real concern. All well and good now, as I could hop into the car, or if i fancied it, go for a cycle, and get some shopping, but I'd be concerned that future-me wouldn't be quite so lucky.

I live alone, sold a house in South County Dublin a few years ago, didn't like living in suburbia. I'm near the Phoenix Park now & like it much better.

I'm not overly clued into Dublin's layout, and i couldn't afford to live there myself, anyway, but I'd have thought that the areas surrounding phoenix park would be heavily built up?

Yep, enniskillen is the closest big town. Sligo is probably the same distance in the opposite direction. So, both about 30 mins drive. No, the local towns are all small, but there are supermarkets in ballyconnell and ballinamore, super value and a small tesco.
I'm sure there's a centre or spar in Dowra. Belcoo is not a bad size town, haven't been there in years.
And there's a pub in Glan, if you enjoy a pint!

Yea it's build up around here in Dublin but the park is great, I didn't like the whole housing estate in suburbia full of young families. There is nothing wrong with it, it's just not me. I know I prefer city or big town living rather then country though.

Gael23

Hoping to buy in the next 2-3 years. All I will be able to afford is an apartment but being in town is important to be because I can’t drive

Kamili

When I was looking I had similar ideas, ruralish location, bit of land with no neighbours. Found out quite quickly the expense of maintaining something like that was high. Septic tanks are getting costly, and often times wells had dried up, or were in need of serious upgrades.
Mains water came nowhere near the properties. If it did it wasn't easy to get it connected.

Nevermind broadband, but in some cases not even mobile phone signal worked.
The snow we had in 2018 also opened my eyes, getting snowed in for weeks and weeks longer because roads were not being cleared as they weren't in constant use. Heard of people in remote parts that got trapped in their homes with no access in or out and emergency services unable to get to them. I know that's an extreme example, but definitely food for thought.

brianc27

In the process of buying on my own now (on hold now until viewings are back on), I'm not picky on whether it's a house or apartment, main issue is repayments, I could afford a decently big place but be bogged down with a large repayment which affordable would still be a large chunk of my wages, or could go with a smaller place costing me less in repayments. A smaller place would suit me now but also don't want a "starter" home, wherever I get I want to live there for a long time. I've been looking for 4 months now, nothing has really caught my eye yet

newaccount2017

I bought by myself and was like the OP, I would have preferred to be in a rural location with loads of space and peace and quiet. So I tried renting a house in such a location for 2 years. It was only 20 minutes from the nearest town but it really opened my eyes. Yes, you would get more bang for your buck with regards bigger house and garden. But it was such a hassle just going to a shop even just to buy some milk. Closest neighbours were not that friendly, which was fine but I think that would get to me if I was living there for life. Also, during the summer it was constant tractors driving by with humongous trailers that I swear it was like the earth shook. I had friends stay over and we'd go out drinking in the town but oh my god, what a hassle getting a taxi all the way back and it cost a small fortune too. There was a big back garden out the back surrounded by fields and I used to do my exercises out there, a bit of privacy and being outside and all... Until I spotted a farmer just staring at me through one of the fields and then I said hello and he just grunted at me. Spotted him a few times just walking around that field pretending to fix the fence staring in. Weirdo. I then decided to buy in the town as I said to myself if I ever decide to move again, I can sell the town house pretty easily. I'm glad I made that decision too. Still have an assortment of odd neighbours but you just don't feel it as much when there's loads of houses/people around.

Eric Cartman

Living <5km from a village but on a big plot of land is probably the sweet spot if you can manage it.

Obviously its not in play at the moment but small towns can be very social and the people quite friendly, it mightent be too hard to still have a social life and a support network even on land on its own.

As for the anti-social element, theres definitely less of it, and far less likely to be the victim of footballs through windows, cars being scraped by bikes, door to door scams, junk mail, tv license inspectors etc.. Although it is important to engage in community alert schemes and have floodlights etc.. up as burglaries by certain groups can be more common, especially if living alone.

Broadband as above is a giant concern, especially now with WFH being the new done thing. Even if your current job is still in the office, the chances are if you changed it would be a partial WFH situation in the future.

If you plan on having kids schools are also a concern.

The real question to ask is what do you expect for your future, I know well the thought of living in a housing estate for the rest of my life would terrify me, but at the same time if I needed bread and a few cans I wouldn't want it to be more than a 30 minute round trip. Similarly country living usually entails interaction with agriculture, could you stand 5am ploughing , the smell of silage and the other noise / inconvenience thats part and parcel with country life. You can't mov e to the country and suddenly petition your council for a footpath and street lighting and a bus stop outside. Whatever services are present the day you move in, will probably be the same present the day you die.

Gael23

What’s the story with viewing a property at the moment?

PoisonIvyBelle

I'm years away from it and probably late off the mark compared to a lot of people, but I've put the wheels in motion in terms of actually thinking "this is a thing I want to do at some point".

I've been fairly content renting until now (I'm 34 and renting alone) but I'm trying to get my ducks in a row to be in a position to buy a 2 bed apartment in Dublin in 2-3 years just in case it becomes a possibility. I'm self-employed with a stable income the past few years. I'd qualify for just over 200k right now on the 3.5 rate and I'd be banking on the help to buy scheme to cover the deposit as I'd qualify for that. It's a bit of a pipe dream for now - but my income will likely be higher by that point and I figured there's no harm in thinking ahead and getting my finances in check - and actually saving properly.

I considered living a bit outside of Dublin but countryside living just isn't for me. I'd say I'd go as far out as D15 but no further than that. I've figured that if I'm buying a place then it should be somewhere I'll actually want to live and can continue my life as it is. I've been working from home for long before COVID so it's the norm for me, but I never once considered moving from Dublin because of it. Not unless I was moving abroad or something. I'd love to buy where I live at the moment (around D6) but there isn't a hope in a cold hell of that ever happening, I doubt I'd even afford a coal bunker here! Ideally I'd stay Southside, but not wanting to be out in Clondalkin/Cherry Orchard I don't know how much choice I'll have.

I think I'd prefer an apartment to a house in terms of upkeep and you need a new build for the help to buy scheme also. I don't mind the maintenance fee when you take into account the lack of hassle. Jury is still out, but it's doubtful I'd find a house in Dublin on my budget anyway. I also initially thought about a 1 bed because I could afford it much more easily, but I want to have an office space/spare room, in terms of ease of reselling and also as backup if I ever got stuck and needed to get a lodger.

To be honest, if it wound up that I couldn't buy in Dublin at all on those preferences, I'd just keep renting indefinitely. I'm in no mad rush. Although once I got the idea in my head that it might actually be possible for me to buy at some point, it was just an "aha" moment because I'd never even considered it as something I could do before.

Gael23

PoisonIvyBelle wrote: »

I'm years away from it and probably late off the mark compared to a lot of people, but I've put the wheels in motion in terms of actually thinking "this is a thing I want to do at some point".

I've been fairly content renting until now (I'm 34 and renting alone) but I'm trying to get my ducks in a row to be in a position to buy a 2 bed apartment in Dublin in 2-3 years just in case it becomes a possibility. I'm self-employed with a stable income the past few years. I'd qualify for just over 200k right now on the 3.5 rate and I'd be banking on the help to buy scheme to cover the deposit as I'd qualify for that. It's a bit of a pipe dream for now - but my income will likely be higher by that point and I figured there's no harm in thinking ahead and getting my finances in check - and actually saving properly.

I considered living a bit outside of Dublin but countryside living just isn't for me. I'd say I'd go as far out as D15 but no further than that. I've figured that if I'm buying a place then it should be somewhere I'll actually want to live and can continue my life as it is. I've been working from home for long before COVID so it's the norm for me, but I never once considered moving from Dublin because of it. Not unless I was moving abroad or something. I'd love to buy where I live at the moment (around D6) but there isn't a hope in a cold hell of that ever happening, I doubt I'd even afford a coal bunker here! Ideally I'd stay Southside, but not wanting to be out in Clondalkin/Cherry Orchard I don't know how much choice I'll have.

I think I'd prefer an apartment to a house in terms of upkeep and you need a new build for the help to buy scheme also. I don't mind the maintenance fee when you take into account the lack of hassle. Jury is still out, but it's doubtful I'd find a house in Dublin on my budget anyway. I also initially thought about a 1 bed because I could afford it much more easily, but I want to have an office space/spare room, in terms of ease of reselling and also as backup if I ever got stuck and needed to get a lodger.

To be honest, if it wound up that I couldn't buy in Dublin at all on those preferences, I'd just keep renting indefinitely. I'm in no mad rush. Although once I got the idea in my head that it might actually be possible for me to buy at some point, it was just an "aha" moment because I'd never even considered it as something I could do before.

I’m looking in the same sort of area as you. Well somewhere within Dublin. I can afford up to 240k at a push but ideally a little less because that’s using all my savings. I’m the same that 1 bed is fine but I’d need enough space for a work desk and 1 bed apartments don’t seem to have that

PoisonIvyBelle

Gael23 wrote: »

I’m looking in the same sort of area as you. Well somewhere within Dublin. I can afford up to 240k at a push but ideally a little less because that’s using all my savings. I’m the same that 1 bed is fine but I’d need enough space for a work desk and 1 bed apartments don’t seem to have that

I've been working from a small place for a few years so I don't mind it that much, but it's the security of the spare room to rent that I'd want primarily. Also just for having people visiting etc.

Hopefully we see a drop in the next year or so! I'm hoping the fact that more people can work from home will mean those who never really wanted to buy in Dublin will buy in the country now, so there'd be more availability.

brianc27

PoisonIvyBelle wrote: »

I'm years away from it and probably late off the mark compared to a lot of people, but I've put the wheels in motion in terms of actually thinking "this is a thing I want to do at some point".

I've been fairly content renting until now (I'm 34 and renting alone) but I'm trying to get my ducks in a row to be in a position to buy a 2 bed apartment in Dublin in 2-3 years just in case it becomes a possibility. I'm self-employed with a stable income the past few years. I'd qualify for just over 200k right now on the 3.5 rate and I'd be banking on the help to buy scheme to cover the deposit as I'd qualify for that. It's a bit of a pipe dream for now - but my income will likely be higher by that point and I figured there's no harm in thinking ahead and getting my finances in check - and actually saving properly.

I considered living a bit outside of Dublin but countryside living just isn't for me. I'd say I'd go as far out as D15 but no further than that. I've figured that if I'm buying a place then it should be somewhere I'll actually want to live and can continue my life as it is. I've been working from home for long before COVID so it's the norm for me, but I never once considered moving from Dublin because of it. Not unless I was moving abroad or something. I'd love to buy where I live at the moment (around D6) but there isn't a hope in a cold hell of that ever happening, I doubt I'd even afford a coal bunker here! Ideally I'd stay Southside, but not wanting to be out in Clondalkin/Cherry Orchard I don't know how much choice I'll have.

I think I'd prefer an apartment to a house in terms of upkeep and you need a new build for the help to buy scheme also. I don't mind the maintenance fee when you take into account the lack of hassle. Jury is still out, but it's doubtful I'd find a house in Dublin on my budget anyway. I also initially thought about a 1 bed because I could afford it much more easily, but I want to have an office space/spare room, in terms of ease of reselling and also as backup if I ever got stuck and needed to get a lodger.

To be honest, if it wound up that I couldn't buy in Dublin at all on those preferences, I'd just keep renting indefinitely. I'm in no mad rush. Although once I got the idea in my head that it might actually be possible for me to buy at some point, it was just an "aha" moment because I'd never even considered it as something I could do before.

I'm pushing 40 and only buying my first place now, so 34 isn't late off the mark, I've been lucky with rental accommodation, I've never had to pay extortionate rent so I've been able to save a lot, so now I'm in a position to pay about 30% of the cost of a home from my own savings

CollyFlower

If you're going to buy in the middle of nowhere it will be very lonely. Years ago, the locals didn't like interlopers moving to their rural areas, they looked upon you as a pariah, they'd be really friendly if you were just a tourist, but don't know if things have changed, maybe they have.

lalababa

Go for it op...live the dream....you may be dead tomo😬