buying a house, what do you look for?

[nickdutch]

south facing roof for solar

to be in an area where you can burn coal and wood

a real fire place

a garden

good internet access and wireless internet signal

not too far away from woodland and country

not too far away from town

easy commutable

a fair distance from places that sell cheap alcohol

[Decaff]

Would being near the coast be of benefit or a hindrance do you think? I'm looking at near the coast in a cul de sac, nothing much behind due to railway and faces a park to the front.

[Devonian]

Plenty of Parking
Distance from Neighbours

[ForgeCorvus]

Would being near the coast be of benefit or a hindrance do you think? I'm looking at near the coast in a cul de sac, nothing much behind due to railway and faces a park to the front.

How far from any eroding cliffs ?

[Decaff]

Would being near the coast be of benefit or a hindrance do you think? I'm looking at near the coast in a cul de sac, nothing much behind due to railway and faces a park to the front.

How far from any eroding cliffs ?

Far enough that they wouldn't be a problem, literally five minute walk to the sea front.

[FEISTY]

We live in a small, elongated village and most of myboxes are ticked:
Detached house, good sized garden, no street lights, outbuildings (double garage, huts, greenhouse), trees all around.
Would, with hindsight, not have moved to a smaller house and would have bought one with a good, clean, dry basement, preferably converted into living area. Would preferably be built of solid stone (I have my eye on a small castle just up the road .
We have one road through, railway and hills behind, large river a couple of hundred yards as the crow flies to the front. So only exit is left or right which brings you to other populated areas and there's no way around that. Only other way out is on the river. We are not boating people, but there are marinas up and down the coast, one very close to us. Will your new home be hemmed in like us?
We have huge windows. It's a worry. Will your new home have large windows/glass doors that are a nightmare to protect?
We moved further away from school and work. Big mistake with diesel prices as they are.
I would also look for solar panels already fitted, saving a lot of hassle and expense.
Make sure your solicitor has done all the checks on whether any alterations have been made to the property and make sure you have proof from the Council that any changes have been approved otherwise the Council will insist on sending a Council employee out to assess the situation, charge you a large fee for the privilege, having denied being able to find the building warrant, etc until you mention you have a solicitor's letter to the previous owner referring to this document, where they promptly find it.

[lonewolf]

Rural, Remote, Isolated, NO near neighbours.

[Decaff]

(I have my eye on a small castle just up the road .
We have one road through, railway and hills behind, large river a couple of hundred yards as the crow flies to the front. So only exit is left or right which brings you to other populated areas and there's no way around that. Only other way out is on the river. We are not boating people, but there are marinas up and down the coast, one very close to us. Will your new home be hemmed in like us?
We have huge windows. It's a worry. Will your new home have large windows/glass doors that are a nightmare to protect?
We moved further away from school and work. Big mistake with diesel prices as they are.
I would also look for solar panels already fitted, saving a lot of hassle and expense.
Make sure your solicitor has done all the checks on whether any alterations have been made to the property and make sure you have proof from the Council that any changes have been approved otherwise the Council will insist on sending a Council employee out to assess the situation, charge you a large fee for the privilege, having denied being able to find the building warrant, etc until you mention you have a solicitor's letter to the previous owner referring to this document, where they promptly find it.

Lots of good points thanks Feisty, one road in as cul de sac, escape possible at end of garden and over railway lines, windows not overly large. Street lights not a problem and none right outside, house is set a way back from road which helps.
Only thing not keen on is north facing garden so not sure its good for growing food?

Loving the sound of the castle!

Thanks for advice everyone.

[pseudonym]

This:

[cpslashm]

Rural, Remote, Isolated, NO near neighbours.

We bought ours through Rural Scene. "No near neighbours" keeps popping up in the descriptions!