Should I Buy A 3-Bed Semi-Detached House In London?
There is a wide range of potential types of 3-bed properties that you can buy in London, ranging from a 3-bed flat to a detached 3-bed house in a large plot of land.
What are the pros and cons of each kind of property and why could a 3-bed semi-detached house potentially be a good purchase for certain London home buyers?
Semi-Detached House
A semi-detached house is a house that is joined to another house, on one side of the property.
Pros of Semi-Detached Houses
Semi-detached houses are typically a lot more affordable than detached homes.
There is a large amount of privacy in a semi-detached house in comparison to a flat or terraced house.
There is generally more outside space, in the form of a garden, with a semi-detached house in comparison to a flat (including basement flats!) and terraced houses.
Semi-detached houses are typically larger than terraced homes, including end of terraced houses.
Disadvantages of Semi-Detached Houses
Due to the nature of a semi-detached house, and because it is attached to your neighbours on one side of the property, there is less privacy than a detached house.
When extending your house, your neighbours could disapprove your application, which could mean it is more difficult to get said planning permission and do the works!
Due to the fact that semi-detached houses are generally larger than terraced and have more outside space than terraced house, there is a lot more maintenance in comparison to a terraced house.
Terraced House
A terraced house is a house that is part of a continuous row of properties.
Pros of Terraced Houses
They can be quite safe in comparison to other types of houses, because you have neighbours on either side of you.
Terraced houses are normally the most affordable kind of house that you can buy.
Due to their smaller size and the fact that they have less outside space, they require less maintenance in comparison to a semi-detached house or a detached house.
Cons of Terraced Houses
Terraced houses are usually the smallest kind of house that you can buy.
They often come with little outside space, any at all.
As you have two neighbours, there will be a lot more noise during busy times of the day.
You will have less privacy, again because you have neighbours on either side of you.
End Of Terrace House
An end of terrace house is a house that is located at the end of a row of terraced houses.
Pros of End of Terrace Houses
In an end of terrace house, there is more light than in a terraced house because of the fact that a number of the windows on the side of house will have unobstructed light.
You will have more privacy than you would in a terraced house, because you only have neighbours on one side of the property.
There is the potential to extend the house to the side of the property or in place of or over a garage, if there is one.
Cons of End of Terrace Houses
An end of terrace house can feel and can be a lot colder then a terraced house because you’re only ‘sharing’ heat with one neighbour instead of two.
End of terraced house are not as safe as a terraced house, because you only have one neighbour compared to two.
There is typically less outside space or garden space in comparison to semi-detached houses and detached homes.
“A bungalow is a type of house that typically has one level. Some homeowners, however, do go into the roof for extra space.”
Detached House
A detached house is a stand alone house in it’s own plot of land.
Pros of Detached Houses
The process of extending your detached house can, at times, require less approval from neighbours are there will usually be less of them!
Detached houses typically come with a larger plot of land/ a larger garden then a terraced house or a semi-detached house.
You have a lot of privacy in comparison to a terraced house or a semi-detached house.
Cons of Detached Houses
Detached homes are usually the most expensive type of house.
Due to the fact that they are a standalone property, there is typically a lot more maintenance when compared to a terraced house and a semi-detached house.
Aspects such as heating can be a lot more expensive than a terraced house.
Bungalow
A Bungalow is a type of house that typically has one level. Some homeowners, however, do go into the roof for extra space.
Pros of Bungalows
They are far easier to maintain then properties with multiple floors, as there is typically only one floor to maintain.
Bungalows are popular with older generations, so they are a good investment over the long term.
Nowadays, fewer bungalows are built each year, again making them a good long term investment.
Cons of Bungalows
There can be a lack of security with bungalows.
In a bungalow, the space can feel less private, as it is all on one level.
Due to the fact that the living room in a bungalow can often be particularly large, the bedrooms are smaller.
Cottage
A Cottage is a small house and is typically in or near to open green space.
Pros of Cottages
Cottages typically feel very ‘homely’ and can also feel very private.
Cottages are usually near to nature and offer a different lifestyle to a property in the centre of a city.
They can come with a nice sized garden, which is not too big and would require lots of maintenance.
Cons of Cottages
Cottages can be cold, as the vast majority of them are period properties that lack modern insulation.
There are typically less rooms then in a terraced house.
The ceiling height can sometimes be quite low due to the era in which the cottage was built.
Flat
A flat is a home that is within a larger building.
Pros of Flats
Flats are usually located in close proximity to good amenities.
Flats are generally a good option in terms of safety - especially ones with a porter.
There’s a strong chance that you pay will less in terms of running costs and bills.
Cons of Flats
There is far less privacy in a flat in comparison to any other type of property, as your neighbours can be on every single side of your property.
Changing aspects such as the floorplan/ layout can be a pain, as there might be restrictions if you own a leasehold property. Make sure to check the lease before carrying out any work!
Service charges can be very high.
So, these are some of the pros and cons of different property types.
3-Bed semi-detached houses are often forgotten about in the move from a flat to a house and people often want to jump straight from a flat to a detached house!
3-Bed semi-detached houses can often be a lot more affordable than a 3-bed detached house and offer positive aspects (previously mentioned in this article!) such as the fact that there is a large amount of privacy in a 3-bed semi-detached house and they generally have good sized gardens and outside space.
Would you be tempted to save some money and buy a 3-bed semi-detached house in a prime area of London instead of purchasing a 3-bed detached house?