Property features that disappoint …

Discussion in 'Property Analysis' started by pugstar205, 7th Nov, 2015.

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  1. pugstar205

    pugstar205 Well-Known Member

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    This thread is just for fun.

    I went to an open house today, slowed the car but didn’t stop. I drove on and sat in a café waiting to go to the next one. The reason? It was a battle-axe block, but the agent had concealed the side driveway and property at the rear in the photos.

    It got me making a mental list of property types, styles and features that put me off. Not always a deal breaker, but certainly disappoint me. Here they are in no particular order:

    · Battle axe property – unless it’s a premium suburb, I can’t see the value in it.

    · Duplex property – I like the idea of building a duplex myself to rent out both sides, but I wouldn’t buy half a duplex.

    · The remaining property once a block has been split – this is a bit irrational as there could still be money to be made depending on the suburb. However, I don’t like going to a property to find that the block has been split and there’s now a vacant block next door that was once part of the original plot. More often than not the property for sale on the remainder of the site is only marginally cheaper than the owner paid for the whole site even though it’s now half the size.

    · Crimsafe – not a deal breaker but I just want to kick it like in the advert to see what happens.

    · Spas / hot-tubs – they’re just tacky. Not a deal breaker but I wouldn’t leave one in a rental – straight onto Gumtree with it.

    · 1-bedroom houses – you see this a bit in Queensland. The Workers Cottage style with only 1-bedroom. The underneath is never legal height meaning an expensive rise-up is required or the verandas need to be built out to get the second/third bedroom.

    · Tin roofs – irrational on my part and not a deal breaker, but I don’t like tin roofs.

    · Someone else’s flip – another irrational one, but I don’t like the idea of paying top money to someone who’s done a Cherie Barber on a property. I’d rather buy a wreck myself and put in the hard work rather than pay a premium for the finished product and not get a say in the tiles or floor finishes.

    · Pipe and chain wire fences – not a deal breaker but they look rubbish.

    · Widow air-conditioners – not a deal breaker but they always look awkward. Likewise, wall mounted air-con where it hasn’t been hardwired so they've placed a plug socket high up the wall so it can be plugged in.

    · Laundry in bathroom – Usually found in apartments but I’ve seen it in houses too. Not a deal breaker, but I’ve never seen it done well even in newly renovated bathrooms.

    · No covered parking – a double garage is ideal, a single satisfactory, a carport permissible but nothing at all! Especially in Queensland because it hails sometimes.

    · Brick archways – usually found on 1970s/80s houses. What can you do with them?

    · ‘English Gardens’ – definitely not a deal breaker, but I’ve seen some gardens that look like they could win at the Chelsea Flower show – roses, ponds, orchids, ornaments, hedges. I always think “I’ll have to Dingo all that”.

    I’m sure there’s more but those are the immediate ones I could think of.

    You?
     
  2. Esel

    Esel Well-Known Member

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    Having to walk through a living area to get to a bathroom from a bedroom

    Walk in robes that you can only access by walking through a bathroom.

    Houses that have gobbled up all the garden.

    Master suites on a different level or at the other end of the house to the kids bedrooms.

    No outdoor space for an apartment.

    Homes that arent walking distance from milk and a train station.
     
  3. D.T.

    D.T. Specialist Property Manager Business Member

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    I like buying the stuff that others are turned off of. Turn it around and make the margin on it ;)
     
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  4. larrylarry

    larrylarry Well-Known Member

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    if it requires cosmetic changes, it should be okay in my view.
     
  5. vtt

    vtt Well-Known Member

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    I'm in the inner city of Sydney in an 1888 partially renovated terrace so have to put up with the only bathroom attached to a kitchen! I don't really like it but am living with it until we can do a big renovation.

    My pet peeve is spiral staircases. I really hate them. If a house has a spiral staircase I won't even consider it.

    I also agree on spa baths - I can't stand them either. I also have an immense dislike for corner baths and corner vanities and toilets. If a bedroom does not have a window or the potential to put one in that is a total deal breaker for me.

    vtt
     
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  6. Perthguy

    Perthguy Well-Known Member

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    Busy roads are a big "no" for me.

    Asbestos (depending on how much).

    Houses next to industrial or commercial.
     
  7. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    • Winder staircases (narrowing treads around corners)
    • Obvious shortcuts by owner builders
    • Small bedrooms
    • Floating floors
    • Cheap fittings
    • Poor workmanship
     
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  8. Perthguy

    Perthguy Well-Known Member

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    And low ceilings.
    Chocolate brown feature brick walls.
    Chocolate brown exposed beams.
    Arches.
     
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  9. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    What's wrong with 'mission brown '?
     
  10. Angel

    Angel Well-Known Member

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    Narrow staircases. How is anyone supposed to get their furniture upstairs without damaging the walls.

    When the neighbour's decks or windows peer straight into your outdoor entertainment area.
     
  11. pugstar205

    pugstar205 Well-Known Member

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    I have mission brown exposed beams in my living area. My DIY job for 2016 is to paint them a more neutral colour. They're horrible.
     
  12. Jeah_

    Jeah_ Well-Known Member

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    Driveways that look more perilous than the giant ski jump.
     
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  13. Greyghost

    Greyghost Well-Known Member

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    Nice post...

    On a side note, can I ask you what price range you are shopping for an IP in?
     
  14. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    I don't really like houses on blocks which slope away/down from the street, with the exception of water front blocks.
     
  15. Gockie

    Gockie Life is good ☺️ Premium Member

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    Easily removable. Not a dealbreaker. ☺
     
  16. Greyghost

    Greyghost Well-Known Member

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    Haha.
    My first IP - soft pink walls, acrylic mission brown skirts and 2 arches at each end of the lounge.

    Fixed all of it now though..
     
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  17. pugstar205

    pugstar205 Well-Known Member

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    I follow approx 6 - 8 suburbs on the northside ranging from 10kms to 20kms out. Closer in (Nundah / Northgate) up to $500k; Further out around $350k - $400k but must have opportunity to add value through renovation or splitting. I find the further out you go the more important it is to choose the street very carefully as it can make a lot of difference.
    If I'm in a suburb to look at one I'm considering making an offer on, I'll look through a couple of others if they happen to be nearby just for the sake of it. It's good to see what else there is in a comparable price bracket - hence I feel like I've seen a lot of property features that I haven't liked, but in fact I was never looking at the property seriously to buy anyway so it doesn't matter.
     
    Last edited: 8th Nov, 2015
  18. pugstar205

    pugstar205 Well-Known Member

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    When I say brick archway, I mean structual like over a garage. Are these easy to remove (I'm not a builder so don't know).
     

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  19. Angel

    Angel Well-Known Member

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    Yes, often easily removed, they are usually decorative. The pillars at the sides of the arch will hold up the beam which supports the roof. There will probably be a steel post inside the brick pillars. Otherwise you can insert a few temporary posts while doing the work like when they raise a house.
     
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  20. Michael_X

    Michael_X Mortgage Broker Business Member

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    I classify property features into two categories.

    1. Money can fix - things like carpet, paint, comestic renos etc. I love these problems, a bit of money, the problem is solved and you can add value

    2, Money can't fix - things like main rd, flood, power lines, slopes etc I don't buy these properties. You buy cheap now, you sell cheap too.

    Cheers,
    Michael
     
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