Moving

Put it up for sale now, as it costs you nothing to do so, I’d also have an outline plan of the development to show prospective buyers, to allay any concerns who knows what the housing market will be like in two years time or your healths

Thanks for the suggestion of renting Helterskelter1. I have thought of that but my husband won’t do it. He says there will be tax implications and it is too risky as we will be paying rent and relying on the rent from our house being paid. Also, suitable properties in the area that we want to move to don’t come up often now. Lots of rental properties seem to be on the sales market due to new rules for landlords.
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Get an estate agent and ask their advice. They are the experts.

JanR246

We live in a cul de sac of semi detached bungalows, one of the bungalows are having a big extension. There is little spare parking at the best of times but now there are 2 or 3 builder’s vans here most days, their front garden is full of materials and a porta loo. The bungalow attached to the one having work done went up for sale and was sold in just a few weeks, so the buyer could presumably see past the current chaos.

This is a good point, selling any property anywhere can be a nightmare due to other properties being built or extended etc, but I imagine your location will be enough for the right buyers to fall in love with your house regardless of any negative points, and every house has these. But finding those buyers could take time so would start the selling process asap.

We live in a cul de sac of semi detached bungalows, one of the bungalows are having a big extension. There is little spare parking at the best of times but now there are 2 or 3 builder’s vans here most days, their front garden is full of materials and a porta loo. The bungalow attached to the one having work done went up for sale and was sold in just a few weeks, so the buyer could presumably see past the current chaos.

Thanks everyone for replies …
Did get a couple of agents around, one who advised wait till it’s finished (unusual as they all want any house to sell usually)! The other agent was more positive but said it must be priced right and we must be prepared to take a hit.
Added problem is the house down the road was up for less than we would have thought and didn’t sell after 3 months. It is a 5 bed with no garden to speak of so hoping that’s why! The poor couple are splitting up so awful situation for them too.
They are building 4 houses on a plot of land that had an old detached Edwardian house on it. That burnt down which is why we’re in this position! They will be luxury and the planning permission is strict about not going above a certain height.
Problem is they have put Hiras fencing up without notice so too late to get decent photos of the view. Although, we need to be totally transparent, so also weeds out the time wasters I suppose.
Just hesitating because it is a very slow buyers market and we need to get maximum to be able to afford London suburb prices. We have sunrise and sunset panoramic sea views from living room, kitchen/diner, and three bedrooms. I’m really hoping people will see beyond the works without wanting too much of a discount!

I too, would go for it now. Why bother putting up with the dust, mess and noise for 2 years (possibly more) if you intend to live elsewhere?
Moving closer to family sounds lovely Debutante, hope all goes well.

That's an interesting suggestion HelterSkelter
I have no further advice and would agree, act now. The financial hit won't be huge, especially with a sea view!
No pockets in a shroud as they say.

Or rent your house out and rent where you are planning to go. Once the 2 years are up and everything calmed down it will be as if nothing happened. Will give you a chance to test out your new area with no long term commitment.
Also your new tenants may be interested in buying the property once they realise how nice the area is.

Sell now OP before the mess starts, they will see planning permission and you will take a hit but so be it, sell while you are two and able to work together, to make a new home comfortable

I would be selling now too.

I know someone who sold.
Not quite the same circumstances as you, but close.
Dont think they took a financial hit at all.
But the housing market was a little more bouyant than it is currently[in England].

You can only test the water by putting it on the market. On the coast, summer is often a good time to sell, especially with a sea view. Unlike town properties, when it’s hot and holiday time.
As has been said, any planning for future development will be flagged up by the searches, if not before.

Why not sell now?

At your ages, live your life right now. Don't hang around waiting for the future to happen. In case it doesn't.

Any serious contender to buy, will go over the planning consent in detail and realise it's no threat to your property, its access, sea view etc. Good way to weed out any timewasters.

The decision is hard to advise on without knowing if further building on the land below you could take place after the four houses are built, in which case would advise to move now whilst there are just four houses.
And if there isn’t access from your road and you have a sea view I think you still have plenty to recommend your property. Two years is a long time as we get older and once your house goes up for sale the whole process could take some time. Would get some valuations from estate agents done and ask their advice.