to buy or not to buy

[johnlewis]

looking at buying a 3 bed mid terrace as an investment
slightly worried about where to fit a bathroom in without losing a bedroom.

any ideas?

View media item 61267

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I'd hazard your only hope is to squeeze it in between beds 1 & 2, reducing bed 1 in the process. Services aside that is.

 

[chapeau]

I'd approach it as a 2 bed property that needs a bathroom and there just happens to be a box room that might be convertible. If that doesn't fit your investment criteria then walk away

 

[rjm2k]

Daft question, but where was the bathroom previously and how are they doing without one? Can you move a bedroom into the loft? Can you get a mortgage (if you need one) on a property with no bathroom?

 

[JohnD]

where are the drains?

have they got an outside WC in the garden?

what's happened to the other houses in the street? that will give you a much better idea of what can be done, and how marketable the houses are, and what they're worth.

I agree that it's a (small) 2-bed house really. Nobody who wants a 3-bed will want it.

If it's a BTL, will you mind it being untenanted for 6 months while you deal with planning, BR, drain-laying and unreliable builders?

 

[kbdiy]

I don't believe it can be classed as a habitable dwelling without any bathroom/toilet facilities so that must give some room to manoeuvre on price and I agree with rjm2k on the mortgage issue. But whatever you will have to sacrifice a bedroom to install one.

 

[johnlewis]

where are the drains?

have they got an outside WC in the garden?

what's happened to the other houses in the street? that will give you a much better idea of what can be done, and how marketable the houses are, and what they're worth.

I agree that it's a (small) 2-bed house really. Nobody who wants a 3-bed will want it.

If it's a BTL, will you mind it being untenanted for 6 months while you deal with planning, BR, drain-laying and unreliable builders?

yes outside toilet , have not seen it yet .

i would approach it as a 2 bed really worst case , it would be easy to put the bathroom in the box room as drains must be at the back.

to keep it a 3 bed i assume a loft conversion and single rear extention is about all you can do with it to maximise space.

garden is only small 40ft long , cash purchase so no problem with mortgage etc.

want it to do up and resell, other 3 beds larger with a longer 100 foot garden have gone for 400k plus this one is 275k

 

[JohnD]

others... 3 beds larger with a longer 100 foot garden...

so not really comparable then.

you're talking yourself into it, aren't you?

 

[johnlewis]

similar house although seems to be wider

View media item 61276

 

[johnlewis]

others... 3 beds larger with a longer 100 foot garden...

so not really comparable then.

you're talking yourself into it, aren't you?

depends what can be done with it , 2 bed you will still get 325k or more

 

[jeds]

Where is the bathroom now? It must have one.

 

[johnlewis]

Where is the bathroom now? It must have one.

well looked at it , had a broom cupboard with a shower in it and a toilet in a lean to out the back .

definatly a 2 bed place unless you carve up the space above the stair case at the front.

needs a single story extention with a few velux in the roof and a bi fold door on it to maximise the space really.

 

[Nige F]

Single storey extension No One wants a downstairs bathroom . It`s a 2 bed with a half decent bathroom ( and an outside privy for the gardener ) It`s the location ( and what £ you can beat seller down to ) that should decide it for you - there must be a market for 2 bedders in Surrey - Just watch out for the travelling builders

 

[johnlewis]

Single storey extension No One wants a downstairs bathroom . It`s a 2 bed with a half decent bathroom ( and an outside privy for the gardener ) It`s the location ( and what £ you can beat seller down to ) that should decide it for you - there must be a market for 2 bedders in Surrey - Just watch out for the travelling builders

went in one day , the market is strong in surrey in the right area

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-41777546.html

this one came on today sold within the hour