IMO many people are interested in what a nearby house sold for. Dh and I often have a good old nose on e.g. nethouseprices - it's just a bit of a pain that you have to wait about 3 months to find out!
I'd never ask, though, since for so many years it just wasn't 'done' - and still isn't, in many people's eyes, including mine. If that makes me a hypocrite, so be it.
Many years ago, a near neighbour who'd moved in about a year after us, asked me straight out what we'd paid. I was too taken aback to do anything but tell him!
I don't think he's ever forgiven us for the fact that in the year following our purchase, prices had shot up and he'd paid rather more for a slightly smaller house.
IMO it's a very good thing that actual sold prices are now made public, esp. when so many initial asking prices are 'optimistic', at least around here - there can be quite a difference. One house not a million miles from us has recently had the price reduced (in stages) by nearly a quarter.
As for renovations, etc., I do think they're a little bit different. I know a dd has been asked what they paid for their fairly recent extension, and she doesn't mind telling, since anyone contemplating similar would,like a rough idea before going any further.
Good Morning Friday 19th April 2024
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