First time buyer new vs old house

at17 · 03-01-2022 12:44am #1

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all keeping well.

we are young family and planning to buy a house in safe area. Our budget is 500k maximum. Kindly advice on below questions-

Old vs new house? We would prefer new but couldn’t find much options. Is it worth availing HTB.
Apartment vs house? So much confusion. We like house but never stayed in one so afraid it would require a lot of maintenance for garden and we both are working. Is it too difficult to maintain.
Which locations are good and which location to avoid?
Any good new build property suggestions?

any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you very much for your help.

Yellow_Fern · 03-01-2022 1:18am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058225556/first-time-buyer-new-vs-old-house

The HTB helps quite a few people but new houses cost a premium so that slightly evens out some of the difference.

If you want to know what locations are low crime, you need to give an indication which part of Dublin you are looking at.

03-01-2022 1:31am

Drive around and get a feel, beats anything anyone can tell you. Google any interested areas too. There’s good and bad parts of everywhere, it also depends what you want (transport, parks, schools, sea side, commutes etc).

I bought a fixer upper. Had no option, HtB has pushed new builds even on the outskirts of Dublin to insane levels. It’s heartbreaking at times, and an absolute money pit, but it just felt more cosier and settled as a neighbourhood. Again, each to their own. If you’re a young family, a garden will be a godsend in summers and if there’s kids etc. They can be fairly low maintenance if done right.

you2008 · 03-01-2022 11:46am

To me this is not even a question, definitely new.

The amount of money that you are going to spent on old is unreal ( to living up to my standard of living), plus the the running cost to keep it warm.

tmabr · 03-01-2022 11:50am

Definitely old

most new houses/apartments have astronomical management fees which will keep rising and rising and will eventually cost more than the mortgage.

also new houses are built as cheaply as possible for maximum profit

at17 · 03-01-2022 1:21pm

Thank you very much everyone for your response. We would like a safe location for non irish family with necessary environment like school, hospital, easy commute, parks and grocery stores nearby.

we are considering Lucan, Ashtown, Castleknock, Leopardstown for now.

not sure if it is good idea to look for houses in Bray and Greystone as it would be far from city.

please suggest if any other safe locality which is not too far from city can be considered.

We are not finding much options in old property but below are few new builds we are thinking of-

Tandys Lane ,Lucan
Rathborne Boulevard, Ashtown, Dublin 15(only virtual viewing) no show house, is it good idea to buy house based on virtual viewing?
Barnwell Park Hansfield , ClonsillA
Clay farm, Leopardstown, Dublin 18

Sorry, I was unable to post daft link so sharing project names.

Please share your views on this.

Thank you so much.

Catmologen · 03-01-2022 5:30pm

Re management fees, it’s pretty unusual for new houses to have these. They are more common in apartment complexes with common areas etc. Just enquire if there are fees or not but it definitely isn’t a reason to discount a new build. Building standards will vary, again do your research on the builder first before considering any purchase.

StoptheClocks · 03-01-2022 5:39pm

Be aware that new houses usually do not come with everything included. Floor, tiles etc.

The good thing about new builds is the fixed price. If a 2nd hand property comes up and it's good value, you will likely have to bid on it.

03-01-2022 6:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118410051#Comment_118410051

Where are you going to be commuting to, and what methods of transport do you plan on using (e.g. public transport vs. car vs. cycle)?

The places you've mentioned are all on different sides of the city; generally at rush hour the biggest pain in your commute is going to be crossing the city so it would be great to settle on the side of the city you plan to work in, if possible. It doesn't need to be a deal breaker though.

In case you're not familiar with the sides of the city, we have the main divide of northside and the southside, separated by the river Liffey, and then west of Phoenix Park would be considered west Dublin. Generally, northside post codes are odd, while southside post codes are even. Crossing from north to south or south to north has a lot of traffic, which is why we also have a motorway (the M50) which car users often opt to use as it avoids going through the centre of Dublin.

billyhead · 03-01-2022 7:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118409665#Comment_118409665

Soundproofing in new houses is also a common problem.

Kurooi · 03-01-2022 8:17pm

House is miles better to an apartment, if you don't want to maintain a garden - don't get flowers. Slap in some hardy grass and cut that once every 2 months. Too much work still? Pave it. Or get some fake grass. Or a decking. Or just let it grow out, some weeds and wildflowers won't hurt anyone just give them a trim once a year Lots of people do ZERO work maintaining their garden and that's OK fully up to you.

But it's much preferable to be in charge of your own property. Nobody tells you what goes, nobody over you or under you causing trouble. Your heating, your plumbing, your electricity any issues you can decide what to do. And when kids want a swing or a trampoline or space to play ball you've got it.

New vs old - see both, personally I go with old, and that's because 1. people put a premium on turn key property. 2. You know what you're buying into - from how the house has aged to the community and facilities you're buying into.

cavan_man2021 · 03-01-2022 8:46pm

I would not recommend a old old house, right pain in the jacksey cleaning mould off the walls in the winter, my wife never shuts up moaning about it every week. Back then , years ago they didn't consider venting when building some houses.

Definitely go around to the estate on Saturday afternoon and count how many kids are playing ball at the front of your house, you will be chasing them every week when they wack the ball off your car or front windows.

Definitely go around the estate on Saturday night and check the noisy neighbours having a party and barking dogs.

Hope that helps you, no point moaning about the above after you buy a house.👅

at17 · 03-01-2022 9:43pm

Thank you so much.

we are planning to use car as well as public transport in future and looking for safe and family friendly area with nearby schools, park, supermarket etc.

We are not finding much options in old property but below are few new builds we are thinking of-

Tandys Lane ,Lucan
Rathborne Boulevard, Ashtown, Dublin 15(only virtual viewing) no show house, is it good idea to buy house based on virtual viewing?
Barnwell Park Hansfield , ClonsillA
Clay farm, Leopardstown, Dublin 18

Sorry, I was unable to post daft link so sharing project names.

Please share your views on these areas and projects

also, pls share any suggestions for area and new build houses.

Thank you so much.

at17 · 03-01-2022 11:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118412347#Comment_118412347

Thank you so much

it is really helpful.

could you please suggest if we look for old house, what all things to watch out for and how old is acceptable, impact of BER and safe areas where we can find houses under 500k

thank you so much.

at17 · 03-01-2022 11:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118412537#Comment_118412537

Thank you so much. Great ideas. Appreciate it.

Below are few new builds we are thinking of-

Tandys Lane ,Lucan
Rathborne Boulevard, Ashtown, Dublin 15(only virtual viewing) no show house, is it good idea to buy house based on virtual viewing?
Barnwell Park Hansfield , ClonsillA
Clay farm, Leopardstown, Dublin 18

Sorry, I was unable to post daft link so sharing project names.

Please share your views on these areas and projects.

also, pls share any suggestions for family friendly safe area or any other new build houses under 500k

Thank you so much.

you2008 · 04-01-2022 12:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118409665#Comment_118409665

We get uneducated people everyday - here are some old for you.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57204910

MSVforever · 04-01-2022 12:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118413649#Comment_118413649

Tandy's Lane is grand. It's classified as Lucan (similar to all the other new estates in the vicinity) but it's really Adamstown (there is nothing wrong with Adamstown - only a few dodgy families in the old part between Londis and the Newcastle road).

The houses are quite nice but very pricey imo. We live in one of the neighbouring estates and paid €100k less around three years ago.

If you are a foreigner then you will have no issues here as the majority of people are from all over the world (the vast majority are Indians - very friendly, hardworking people). That being said if you prefer to experience Irish culture then this place won't be for you.

The only negative thing I can say is the lack of dentists and GP's. There are a few within the greater Lucan area but good luck in finding one that takes you on.

at17 · 04-01-2022 1:18am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118413901#Comment_118413901

Thank you very much.

Appreciate all your help. I was not sure if Tandys lane comes in good area of Lucan. It is assuring.

Could you please also suggest what things to keep in mind while selecting and booking a new build house.

we want good sunlight which am sure everyone wants too. Any advice on things to look for while selecting a new house.

Thanks a again.

04-01-2022 1:23am

Sunlight will depend on a few things. Aspect of the house, where the garden is facing, is the sun blocked by surrounding buildings trees etc, type of glazing and ultimately where you want your main sunlight.

First time buyer new vs old house

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