New construction project: House without direct car access - Bad?

Hello everyone,

since we currently can't find a plot of land but have come across a construction project in a very early phase where all options are still open, we are interested in a very modern and wide end-terrace house with a top orientation and layout.

It would basically be a great "starter property" if it weren't for the access to the house entrances. The location is very attractive and close to the city as well as well connected. Therefore, the plot area of the developer is not too generous. For this reason, an underground garage was integrated into the concept, which is located in the first third of the plot. The problem from my point of view is that none of the house entrances can be reached by car, not even for loading and unloading, as only a narrow footpath and partially stairs are planned here. The houses also do not have, as sometimes seen, an underground garage connection via the basement. This means that, as already mentioned, a) you cannot stop in front of the house and b) you also have to walk a fair distance from the underground garage. I think this would be manageable for us, even though I don't imagine moving in here to be very fun. However, the question bothers us whether this is a deal-breaker for us after all. The background is that we want to find a plot of land and build ourselves in the long term. So if I were to spend, for example, €400,000 (which does not correspond to the actual price) for the house now and build a single-family house in 5-10 years and want to sell the terraced house but only get €300,000 (assuming property prices remain relatively stable), one has to admit that it doesn't make sense. What I personally see critically for value development is that it is a terraced house and also the lack of direct access for motor vehicles.

Could someone share their opinion? We currently cannot assess this.

Regards
DASI90

Hello,

so you really want to bridge the time until the dream house 100%? Then don’t buy but rent...

but if it’s already the dream property now then buy

BUT: we had our dream apartment before owning property, similar to you.

Basement garage, stairs up to plateau, then 3 floors into the apartment. If you have no kids, it’s still okay. Then child 1 came, carrying carrying carrying carrying. We had an open fireplace, a nightmare. Ordered wood, schlepped endlessly.

Water crates etc.

So we were really glad to have moved out of there and now live on one level.

I would only buy if it’s a bargain

Friends of ours also live in a terraced house, which can only be reached via a dead-end road. Even the parking spaces are on the public street, so no parking spot or anything like that.

We moved once - done.

If you don’t have a weekly shopping trip for a household of seven, I would buy if the house meets all other requirements.

Only the matter of a timely resale would stop me. So if it’s just a compromise for the next 5 years, I wouldn’t buy solely because of the upcoming costs. (Ancillary purchase costs, possibly new furniture that won’t fit later, new kitchen, early repayment penalty to the bank when selling, etc.).

I wouldn't buy a house like that. Keep looking instead. As long as the house is not in a premium location in top-price areas, you will only be able to get rid of it at a loss. We have a parking space and that is really great. Our neighbors ([terraced houses]) don't have a parking space and then have to carry a lot (also the gardens are only accessible on foot via a detour and especially there you always have work to do and sometimes need materials). They are always glad when they can park in front of our driveway and walk through our property. Somehow, for us, that simply belongs to the advantages of owning a house. It's just comfortable in everyday life (shopping, building materials, garden, children) and the car parks safely. Besides, we never have to look for a parking space again. I wouldn't want to miss that!

Just to bridge time (up to 5 years), I would not want to buy land. The additional costs are simply too high, so that it is (almost) always a losing proposition.

Otherwise, it is as always a question of price as well as your personal assessment whether the property is good enough for you to accept this negative point.
Direct access to the house from the parking lot/garage is great, but it is also possible without – just like in almost every rental apartment.

For me personally, direct access would be important and only compensable by an otherwise above-average property.

To bridge 5 years, I wouldn't move.. probably not.

The problem from my point of view is that all house entrances cannot be reached by car,

For God's sake :eek:

and wants to sell the terraced house, but only for €300,000 (assuming the real estate prices remain relatively stable)

Why should the value decrease?

Underground garage, steps up to the plateau, then 3 floors into the apartment. If you don’t have kids, it’s still doable. Then came child 1, carry carry carry carry. We had an open fireplace, a nightmare. Ordered wood, schlepped endlessly.

Steps up is something different than walking along a dead-end path. Ever heard that a person has legs to walk? For example, you can wonderfully use a hand truck for water bottles or big shopping. Just check your barriers in your head ;)