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House Hunting
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Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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B, everyone's needs should be balanced for the best quality of life overall in the family.
A well-raised child with parent(s) who play an involved role in their education will do perfectly well in an "average" school imho. |
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"B, everyone's needs should be balanced for the best quality of life overall in the family.
A well-raised child with parent(s) who play an involved role in their education will do perfectly well in an "average" school imho."
B is the rational answer but most parents are not especially rational about the subject of children. I'm interested to see if C gets more votes... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"B, everyone's needs should be balanced for the best quality of life overall in the family.
A well-raised child with parent(s) who play an involved role in their education will do perfectly well in an "average" school imho.
B is the rational answer but most parents are not especially rational about the subject of children. I'm interested to see if C gets more votes..."
What is the criteria for "best" in the context of schools? There's more to being a well-rounded adult than high grades in my book. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Can there be a D? Nice house. Nice area. Miles away from any school, so you dont have to here the noisy sods, or put up with the mothers bad driving
Ben xxx |
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"Can there be a D? Nice house. Nice area. Miles away from any school, so you dont have to here the noisy sods, or put up with the mothers bad driving
Ben xxx"
In a city you're never that far away from a school. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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If you go for house C then you will outgrow it sooner so in essence you will be paying a premium for a temporary home. I'd most likely go for B, if a child is to do well at school then I think they'll thrive in any school.
I do like option D though, similar to what we have done, being in a rural area, the local authority provide transport and our schooling options widened massively.
Ginger |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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There's no such thing as an automatic catchment area anymore. You can apply for your child to go to any school
Is the 'good' school oversubscribed? That's the only point when distance becomes an issue... (closer you are the more likely you'll get in)
Personally, it's always about location location location. I'm in the same boat as you OP, and chose somewhere I'd want to live. On the basis that when I sell, others will want to live here too |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Dreading this a little. I'm saving to buy after renting for years and now living with parents again. "
I had to do that for a couple of months last year. If I find myself in need again, I'm buying a tent and the snuggest sleeping bag I can afford!
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"If you go for house C then you will outgrow it sooner so in essence you will be paying a premium for a temporary home. I'd most likely go for B, if a child is to do well at school then I think they'll thrive in any school.
I do like option D though, similar to what we have done, being in a rural area, the local authority provide transport and our schooling options widened massively.
Ginger"
But on the flip side, house C is much more likely to rise in price quicker than A or B. House prices in our area are second highest in the country anyway and with crossrail they are getting closer to london prices. |
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"B.
C is one head teacher away from average anyway especially if you're going by OFSTED gradings. "
That's what I've never understood about parents obsessions which catchment areas. But you can still see people paying the price premium for it. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Can there be a D? Nice house. Nice area. Miles away from any school, so you dont have to here the noisy sods, or put up with the mothers bad driving
Ben xxx
In a city you're never that far away from a school. "
Thankfully.
A. I dont live in a city
B. Dont have kids.
C. Dont intend for A or B to change.
Its all about quality of life for me when I make a decision on buying a home. We're lucky to have found our 'forever' home. Ironically its a good size, in an excellent area, with a very good school within 1/2 mile |
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"There's no such thing as an automatic catchment area anymore. You can apply for your child to go to any school
Is the 'good' school oversubscribed? That's the only point when distance becomes an issue... (closer you are the more likely you'll get in)
Personally, it's always about location location location. I'm in the same boat as you OP, and chose somewhere I'd want to live. On the basis that when I sell, others will want to live here too"
I know there's no automatic catchment area but it does seem like 90% probability you get in when you live in a certain postcode. But i've never understood the point in paying the extra ~£20k for the house. If you've got that money and school is so important then go private ffs. |
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"Can there be a D? Nice house. Nice area. Miles away from any school, so you dont have to here the noisy sods, or put up with the mothers bad driving
Ben xxx
In a city you're never that far away from a school.
Thankfully.
A. I dont live in a city
B. Dont have kids.
C. Dont intend for A or B to change.
Its all about quality of life for me when I make a decision on buying a home. We're lucky to have found our 'forever' home. Ironically its a good size, in an excellent area, with a very good school within 1/2 mile"
I grew up near you. Quality of life - yes. Opportunities for young people - no. Obviously if you don't have kids then it's a no brainer! |
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"B.
C is one head teacher away from average anyway especially if you're going by OFSTED gradings.
That's what I've never understood about parents obsessions which catchment areas. But you can still see people paying the price premium for it. "
There are some schools I wouldn't want my kids to go to. In the main though average by OFSTED standards in my opinion is fine. |
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"D. Buy a plot of land an build your own.
We live in the green belt
There will always be browfield or old run-down properties though understand you may not want the hassle "
Don't mind the hassle but don't have the budget to take the risk. If we ended up with an 90% complete house then we'd be screwed having already maxed out all sources of finance. |
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"B.
C is one head teacher away from average anyway especially if you're going by OFSTED gradings.
That's what I've never understood about parents obsessions which catchment areas. But you can still see people paying the price premium for it.
There are some schools I wouldn't want my kids to go to. In the main though average by OFSTED standards in my opinion is fine. "
In terms of where you wouldn't want them to go, like the schools around house A? |
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"B.
C is one head teacher away from average anyway especially if you're going by OFSTED gradings.
That's what I've never understood about parents obsessions which catchment areas. But you can still see people paying the price premium for it.
There are some schools I wouldn't want my kids to go to. In the main though average by OFSTED standards in my opinion is fine.
In terms of where you wouldn't want them to go, like the schools around house A? "
It would depend on the school. The problem is that much of a childs education depends on the individual teacher. You get poor teachers in excellent schools and vice versa.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Made the equivalent of choice C albeit the square meterage was a lot bigger 15 years ago - couldn't be happier with the choice. Could have had much bigger properties in less desirable areas. Those properties are selling at similar prices to back then. Choice C has now risen in value by 80%
Location, location, location |
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"Made the equivalent of choice C albeit the square meterage was a lot bigger 15 years ago - couldn't be happier with the choice. Could have had much bigger properties in less desirable areas. Those properties are selling at similar prices to back then. Choice C has now risen in value by 80%
Location, location, location"
That's my gut feeling. Actually i (Mr) want A because of the size and it's in a cul de sac so we are sheltered from the chavs. But i know it'll be a pain to sell. My wife is set on C anyway so it was a bit academic anyway. But i was wondering if anyone would say A. |
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"B.
C is one head teacher away from average anyway especially if you're going by OFSTED gradings.
That's what I've never understood about parents obsessions which catchment areas. But you can still see people paying the price premium for it.
There are some schools I wouldn't want my kids to go to. In the main though average by OFSTED standards in my opinion is fine.
In terms of where you wouldn't want them to go, like the schools around house A?
It would depend on the school. The problem is that much of a childs education depends on the individual teacher. You get poor teachers in excellent schools and vice versa.
"
I think some children make some lessons unteachable. I spent 3 years at a 'good' state school and about 60% of the lesson was just behaviour management. I perfected the art of zoning out and got put in top sets as a result. |
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By *ty31Man
over a year ago
NW London |
" But i was wondering if anyone would say A. "
It would depend just how "bad" the area of A actually is. The "worst" area of a particular town may still be "better" than the best area of another local town.
I have Suppose It's down to what one is used to and personal perspective. |
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" But i was wondering if anyone would say A.
It would depend just how "bad" the area of A actually is. The "worst" area of a particular town may still be "better" than the best area of another local town.
I have Suppose It's down to what one is used to and personal perspective."
I think it's more the fact that it is definately the worst part of reading. Meaning nobody will ever want to live there unless they have to, meaning prices will always lag behind |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The old adage is buy the worst house in the best area, which is sort of what we did. Our house is between b and c in size and big enough for three of us.
Schools can change fortunes quite quickly and what might be bad for one area could be good for another. Whether you're talking primary or secondary and how close other schools were would also be relevant. I wouldn't base a decision purely on schools though, should be more to it than that. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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We're new to this ourselves but would hazard a guess that it's a par off between quality of life and getting a decent return. The cost of the house plus any renovations you want to do to it should equal the kind of price other houses in the neighbourhood are selling for. We've been shown around far too many places where people have sunk way too much money into a house in a neighbourhood that just doesn't support the super inflated price they're seeking. I guess that's what happens in a sky rocketing market. But it no longer makes sense |
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By *ty31Man
over a year ago
NW London |
" But i was wondering if anyone would say A.
It would depend just how "bad" the area of A actually is. The "worst" area of a particular town may still be "better" than the best area of another local town.
I have Suppose It's down to what one is used to and personal perspective.
I think it's more the fact that it is definately the worst part of reading. Meaning nobody will ever want to live there unless they have to, meaning prices will always lag behind "
But with house prices rising as people are priced further out the chances are that an area could gentrify or "improve" as new waves of people move in. |
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" But i was wondering if anyone would say A.
It would depend just how "bad" the area of A actually is. The "worst" area of a particular town may still be "better" than the best area of another local town.
I have Suppose It's down to what one is used to and personal perspective.
I think it's more the fact that it is definately the worst part of reading. Meaning nobody will ever want to live there unless they have to, meaning prices will always lag behind
But with house prices rising as people are priced further out the chances are that an area could gentrify or "improve" as new waves of people move in."
I believe gentrification would happen in an area like House B. There will always be a bottom area and with 40% unemployment in the area, i see now way area A could ever afford greater prices beyond inflation |
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"We're new to this ourselves but would hazard a guess that it's a par off between quality of life and getting a decent return. The cost of the house plus any renovations you want to do to it should equal the kind of price other houses in the neighbourhood are selling for. We've been shown around far too many places where people have sunk way too much money into a house in a neighbourhood that just doesn't support the super inflated price they're seeking. I guess that's what happens in a sky rocketing market. But it no longer makes sense "
That's my thought on A, it's immaculately presented, had work done to it. But it's in a cul de sac where all of the houses have land to extend to the side or back, yet none of them have. Perhaps there's a reason why... |
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"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available. "
B) Because even if you live in the catchment area of the best school in Reading there is no guarantee you will get in. As many found when they hoped to get into Maiden Erleigh and ended up in Bulmershe. |
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"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available.
B) Because even if you live in the catchment area of the best school in Reading there is no guarantee you will get in. As many found when they hoped to get into Maiden Erleigh and ended up in Bulmershe. "
Not to mentioned Reading Councils determination to ruin Caversham with pepper potting |
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By *b coupleCouple
over a year ago
southampton |
"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available. "
We're in the exact same position hence why we're leaving London to buy our first house. Absolutely shocking what you get in London for 250k compared to what we can get in Southampton. |
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"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available.
We're in the exact same position hence why we're leaving London to buy our first house. Absolutely shocking what you get in London for 250k compared to what we can get in Southampton. "
There are places in wales you can get a house for £35k! In reading you need £300k for a 3 bedroom (2+box) in an average area. |
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"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available.
B) Because even if you live in the catchment area of the best school in Reading there is no guarantee you will get in. As many found when they hoped to get into Maiden Erleigh and ended up in Bulmershe.
Not to mentioned Reading Councils determination to ruin Caversham with pepper potting "
That is because Reading council is Labour.. they want to bring everyone down to the same level.  |
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"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available.
B) Because even if you live in the catchment area of the best school in Reading there is no guarantee you will get in. As many found when they hoped to get into Maiden Erleigh and ended up in Bulmershe.
Not to mentioned Reading Councils determination to ruin Caversham with pepper potting
That is because Reading council is Labour.. they want to bring everyone down to the same level. "
House C is with wokingham council, that's our strategy. Reading council are indeed cunts. |
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By *ty31Man
over a year ago
NW London |
"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available.
We're in the exact same position hence why we're leaving London to buy our first house. Absolutely shocking what you get in London for 250k compared to what we can get in Southampton.
There are places in wales you can get a house for £35k! In reading you need £300k for a 3 bedroom (2+box) in an average area."
That 300k almost seems a bargain. Outer suburban London It would be more like 500k  |
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"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available.
We're in the exact same position hence why we're leaving London to buy our first house. Absolutely shocking what you get in London for 250k compared to what we can get in Southampton.
There are places in wales you can get a house for £35k! In reading you need £300k for a 3 bedroom (2+box) in an average area.
That 300k almost seems a bargain. Outer suburban London It would be more like 500k "
Hence why londoners move out to RG1. 25 minutes from Paddington... |
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By *ty31Man
over a year ago
NW London |
"
We're in the exact same position hence why we're leaving London to buy our first house. Absolutely shocking what you get in London for 250k compared to what we can get in Southampton.
There are places in wales you can get a house for £35k! In reading you need £300k for a 3 bedroom (2+box) in an average area.
That 300k almost seems a bargain. Outer suburban London It would be more like 500k
Hence why londoners move out to RG1. 25 minutes from Paddington... "
And then get clobbered with sky high train fares  |
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"
We're in the exact same position hence why we're leaving London to buy our first house. Absolutely shocking what you get in London for 250k compared to what we can get in Southampton.
There are places in wales you can get a house for £35k! In reading you need £300k for a 3 bedroom (2+box) in an average area.
That 300k almost seems a bargain. Outer suburban London It would be more like 500k
Hence why londoners move out to RG1. 25 minutes from Paddington...
And then get clobbered with sky high train fares "
Reading to Paddington is also one of the most congested routes in the country. So after being stung with the fare, you don't even get a seat! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available. "
If it were me, I wouldn't be buying at all this year. There's an 'economic adjustment' on its way, as a number of factors will be slowing the economy down at an exponentially faster rate as the year goes on. By this time next year, the country will be back in a broadly comparable position to the one we found ourselves in 2008...and prior to that 1992.
Expect house prices to take a hit of up to around 30%, possibly more outside of the big conurbations. My information comes from a well-placed source in government fiscal policy studies.
Having been caught in a position of negative equity myself previously, its not a nice place to be. Look around you...business is slowing down in nearly every sector already, and the stagnation is already underway. |
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"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available.
If it were me, I wouldn't be buying at all this year. There's an 'economic adjustment' on its way, as a number of factors will be slowing the economy down at an exponentially faster rate as the year goes on. By this time next year, the country will be back in a broadly comparable position to the one we found ourselves in 2008...and prior to that 1992.
Expect house prices to take a hit of up to around 30%, possibly more outside of the big conurbations. My information comes from a well-placed source in government fiscal policy studies.
Having been caught in a position of negative equity myself previously, its not a nice place to be. Look around you...business is slowing down in nearly every sector already, and the stagnation is already underway. "
I appreciate your warning but prices 'only' fell 20% in 2008. I don't think now is the perfect time to be buy, but it could be worse. It makes sense with our personal circumstances to buy now, even if the market stays flat for 2 years which is broadly what we expect. Typically falls like 2008 happen every 18 years. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available.
If it were me, I wouldn't be buying at all this year. There's an 'economic adjustment' on its way, as a number of factors will be slowing the economy down at an exponentially faster rate as the year goes on. By this time next year, the country will be back in a broadly comparable position to the one we found ourselves in 2008...and prior to that 1992.
Expect house prices to take a hit of up to around 30%, possibly more outside of the big conurbations. My information comes from a well-placed source in government fiscal policy studies.
Having been caught in a position of negative equity myself previously, its not a nice place to be. Look around you...business is slowing down in nearly every sector already, and the stagnation is already underway.
I appreciate your warning but prices 'only' fell 20% in 2008. I don't think now is the perfect time to be buy, but it could be worse. It makes sense with our personal circumstances to buy now, even if the market stays flat for 2 years which is broadly what we expect. Typically falls like 2008 happen every 18 years. "
You really need to look MUCH further ahead than 2 years if you're buying now...if it follows the pattern of 1992, which is a very real possibility, the market value drop will be far greater than the 20% decrease in 2008, and that took many years to recover to its baseline value. You have to ask yourself if you can cope with the negative equity...it doesn't matter if you don't plan on moving again until the values recover, but if you DO need to sell during what could become a protracted depression, it could be painful.
A large number of the smarter people with 'buy-to-let' properties are cashing out now, as they know where the market is heading and that if they don't cash out now they'll be tied in to those properties for the best part of a decade. |
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"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available.
If it were me, I wouldn't be buying at all this year. There's an 'economic adjustment' on its way, as a number of factors will be slowing the economy down at an exponentially faster rate as the year goes on. By this time next year, the country will be back in a broadly comparable position to the one we found ourselves in 2008...and prior to that 1992.
Expect house prices to take a hit of up to around 30%, possibly more outside of the big conurbations. My information comes from a well-placed source in government fiscal policy studies.
Having been caught in a position of negative equity myself previously, its not a nice place to be. Look around you...business is slowing down in nearly every sector already, and the stagnation is already underway.
I appreciate your warning but prices 'only' fell 20% in 2008. I don't think now is the perfect time to be buy, but it could be worse. It makes sense with our personal circumstances to buy now, even if the market stays flat for 2 years which is broadly what we expect. Typically falls like 2008 happen every 18 years.
You really need to look MUCH further ahead than 2 years if you're buying now...if it follows the pattern of 1992, which is a very real possibility, the market value drop will be far greater than the 20% decrease in 2008, and that took many years to recover to its baseline value. You have to ask yourself if you can cope with the negative equity...it doesn't matter if you don't plan on moving again until the values recover, but if you DO need to sell during what could become a protracted depression, it could be painful.
A large number of the smarter people with 'buy-to-let' properties are cashing out now, as they know where the market is heading and that if they don't cash out now they'll be tied in to those properties for the best part of a decade."
I understand what you are saying but there are a number of factors at play in our personal circumstances that make the deal viable even with a crash of 20% since we have no plans to sell the house for a very long time. We are much more likely to rent it out when we outgrow it. Nobody knows for sure whether the market will or won't crash, It's all a matter of probability. With probability comes opportunity cost. |
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I C.B.A reading all the replies....... cos I know the answer.
Location, Location, Location.......... no joke LOCATION Is everything.
The house is the least worry. The place determines happiness.
Trust me on this one. |
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"the fact you live in the most boring towm i have ever worked in
i suggest moving to nanananoooh land."
Boring how? The architecture sucks but there are some good swingers and clubs around. Try working in cornwall and getting a good meet! |
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and P.S..........
The LOCATION and the social class / wealth of the people who live there determine how high in the ratings a school appears.
This does NOT mean they are the BEST schools. It simply indicates that the parents of pupils are probably professional or if not they are interested in their child's education.
Go for C. |
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"I C.B.A reading all the replies....... cos I know the answer.
Location, Location, Location.......... no joke LOCATION Is everything.
The house is the least worry. The place determines happiness.
Trust me on this one."
Yes but the best location in reading starts at 400k and reading council are doing their best to ruin it with pepper potting anyway, so all our options involve some degree of compromise. |
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"I like the Urban Dictionary definitions of Pepper Potting ??
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Pepper%20Potting&=true&defid=5119793"
Lol no! Pepper potting is when the council move council tenants into affluent areas in the mistaken belief it will cure them of the social ills they learnt in the ghetto |
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By *AA123Couple
over a year ago
Lichfield |
"I like the Urban Dictionary definitions of Pepper Potting ??
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Pepper%20Potting&=true&defid=5119793
Lol no! Pepper potting is when the council move council tenants into affluent areas in the mistaken belief it will cure them of the social ills they learnt in the ghetto"
Nah. Still prefer the UD definitions  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I would buy the biggest house because I'm having serious space-envy after 3+ years of living in this country
But if a kid is involved I would go with the house in the best school district. My father worked for 5 years in a place where he made far less money just to get my brother and me into a great elementary school. It pays off tenfold. And the house will always be desireable to buyers. |
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"I would buy the biggest house because I'm having serious space-envy after 3+ years of living in this country
But if a kid is involved I would go with the house in the best school district. My father worked for 5 years in a place where he made far less money just to get my brother and me into a great elementary school. It pays off tenfold. And the house will always be desireable to buyers. "
So basically your heart says A but your head says C, |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I would buy the biggest house because I'm having serious space-envy after 3+ years of living in this country
But if a kid is involved I would go with the house in the best school district. My father worked for 5 years in a place where he made far less money just to get my brother and me into a great elementary school. It pays off tenfold. And the house will always be desireable to buyers.
So basically your heart says A but your head says C, "
My heart AND my head say to not have a kid and go with A.   |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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There are a number of plotfindef web sites with planning some without but they are a bigger risk.
Personal view is rather than go for something as too much of a compromise consider where you want to live and find one to buy or space to build where you feel contented.
Schools vary year on year teacher by teacher and this is your home a haven of peace and not somewhere just to buy for a school or shops etc.
If you buy or build for any reason other than that sense of peace the compromise will always leave you in some way dissatisfied and then perhaps moving again sooner than you planned.
Perhaps considef looking a modular buildings if you decide to build...huff houses..or similar. You get more bang for your buck and make your own design choices in the process.
But ultimately it's your decision and one you need to feel comfortable with whatever your personal needs.
Hope this might be some help to you and good luck wherever you decide to live |
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"I would buy the biggest house because I'm having serious space-envy after 3+ years of living in this country
But if a kid is involved I would go with the house in the best school district. My father worked for 5 years in a place where he made far less money just to get my brother and me into a great elementary school. It pays off tenfold. And the house will always be desireable to buyers.
So basically your heart says A but your head says C,
My heart AND my head say to not have a kid and go with A. "
It's not really my kids anyway, by the time they hit school we'll have moved on. It's more about how the schools effect the house price. |
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"Really not as fun as it sounds when the reality of your budget slaps you in the face. The thing is that if you know you need to move again in a few years then you aren't just buying the house you want, you buy one you know other people want.
Assuming these options were all the same price, which would you go for (assume 2 parents, 1 child):
- House A. 120 square meters with significant space to extend out the back of the house. Next to (but not in) an area with high unemployment (40%) and in the catchment area of the worst local schools.
- House B. 90 square meters in an average postcode with average schools but close to a city center so highly desirable commuting distances.
- House C. 70 square meters in the catchment area for the best local school available. "
What is it a bedsit??, lol |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Can there be a D? Nice house. Nice area. Miles away from any school, so you dont have to here the noisy sods, or put up with the mothers bad driving
Ben xxx
"
hahaha,, |
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Offer accepted on a C property. Found a nice one that an old biddy had lived in until she died. It looks like a time warp inside but location and space are ideal. Just takes about 10 minutes to wade through the overgrown plants to get out the front door! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Offer accepted on a C property. Found a nice one that an old biddy had lived in until she died. It looks like a time warp inside but location and space are ideal. Just takes about 10 minutes to wade through the overgrown plants to get out the front door! "
.
You've bought JC,s house |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Unless this school is a very good private one I wouldn't rely on it being the best school in ten or twenty years time!.
Schools have a habit of becoming popular, expanding, getting shit loads of pupils then going downhill because they can't repeat their original excellence at a bigger scale.
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"Unless this school is a very good private one I wouldn't rely on it being the best school in ten or twenty years time!.
Schools have a habit of becoming popular, expanding, getting shit loads of pupils then going downhill because they can't repeat their original excellence at a bigger scale.
"
I would put money on it being a good area in 20 years, by process of elimination if nothing else. In fact i just did
West Reading - chav haven
North Reading - prices start at £400k
Central Reading - flat city, not a family area
East Reading - student area
South Reading - where families live |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Unless this school is a very good private one I wouldn't rely on it being the best school in ten or twenty years time!.
Schools have a habit of becoming popular, expanding, getting shit loads of pupils then going downhill because they can't repeat their original excellence at a bigger scale.
I would put money on it being a good area in 20 years, by process of elimination if nothing else. In fact i just did
West Reading - chav haven
North Reading - prices start at £400k
Central Reading - flat city, not a family area
East Reading - student area
South Reading - where families live "
.
I didn't doubt you hadn't scrutinized it inside out for a minute!  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Offer accepted on a C property. Found a nice one that an old biddy had lived in until she died. It looks like a time warp inside but location and space are ideal. Just takes about 10 minutes to wade through the overgrown plants to get out the front door! "
Good luck |
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"Offer accepted on a C property. Found a nice one that an old biddy had lived in until she died. It looks like a time warp inside but location and space are ideal. Just takes about 10 minutes to wade through the overgrown plants to get out the front door! "
What a shame no one helped her to garden when she was still alive.
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"Offer accepted on a C property. Found a nice one that an old biddy had lived in until she died. It looks like a time warp inside but location and space are ideal. Just takes about 10 minutes to wade through the overgrown plants to get out the front door!
What a shame no one helped her to garden when she was still alive.
"
I think they did. The garden was fine when the photos were taken but its been on the market a while and she died in hospital, not the house (i checked) |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Congrats!
I can't even afford to buy in Reading anymore - I wish I'd jumped on the property ladder a decade ago. Somewhere like Newbury is pretty much my only option these days. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Offer accepted on a C property. Found a nice one that an old biddy had lived in until she died. It looks like a time warp inside but location and space are ideal. Just takes about 10 minutes to wade through the overgrown plants to get out the front door! "
Awesome!!! Knowing you I'm sure it will turn out to be a good investment in the long run. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"A large number of the smarter people with 'buy-to-let' properties are cashing out now, as they know where the market is heading and that if they don't cash out now they'll be tied in to those properties for the best part of a decade."
I'll admit to not being one of the smarter ones in that case as I've always taken the long term approach to my properties, 10 years is bugger all. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Offer accepted on a C property. Found a nice one that an old biddy had lived in until she died. It looks like a time warp inside but location and space are ideal. Just takes about 10 minutes to wade through the overgrown plants to get out the front door!
Awesome!!! Knowing you I'm sure it will turn out to be a good investment in the long run. "
.
He's got at least six spread sheets on the Gogo...I just have one wish.
Please God let it vote labour |
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