Battleaxe properties

[witherwings]

Does anyone have experience living in a Battleaxe house with a private driveway (not shared)? What were the pros and cons?

We are considering putting an offer on a house in the next few days, it's a on a Battleaxe block, which is HUGE (2000+Sqm). The house itself is beautiful and fully renovated, so we won't need access for building works.. It already has pool, wrap around manicured garden, the works.. I'm just worried that there's some catch I'm not seeing..

The only reason this house is in our price range is because it's a Battleaxe property. I've never lived on a Battleaxe so I don't know what to consider.

Just looking for some feedback (and reassurance) as its a bit nerve wrecking thinking of making this huge decision.

Thanks in advance!

[Mod-Degrassi]

My parents built a house on a battle axe block about 12 years ago.

It was actually a very private house and they loved living there.

The only downside was that they had trouble getting a good price for it when they sold. They built it really tastefully and didn't cut corners on quality inclusions, so they didn't really come out in front when they sold it.

[babyno1onboard]

I've lived in two and loved the privacy and lack of traffic noise. I didn't find any negatives.

[witherwings]

My parents built a house on a battle axe block about 12 years ago.

It was actually a very private house and they loved living there.

The only downside was that they had trouble getting a good price for it when they sold. They built it really tastefully and didn't cut corners on quality inclusions, so they didn't really come out in front when they sold it.

Thanks for your reply!

This will be our "forever house" I think, so we won't be selling it for many years if ever, so I don't think resale would be an issue for us, but I don't understand why it's hard to re-sell a Battleaxe.. I guess you need to sell it at a discount because there's no street frontage? But you buy it for a discount too so it all sort of balances out right?

[witherwings]

I've lived in two and loved the privacy and lack of traffic noise. I didn't find any negatives.

Sounds very positive! Thanks!

[littleriv]

It sounds like a lovely house. The only thing i could think of is finding out who has title of the driveway. Eg do you own it fully or is there an easement? If you own it it sounds like it would be great to have a long driveway for kids to play on etc.

Edit; also maybe check location of sewer, water, electrical wiring as it moght be more difficult to install internet or foxtel cables etc if you are further from the street frontage.

[besha]

I've lived in a back house a few times and love it. Much prefer it to living in a front house like I do now. It's more private, less street noise, less/no door knockers. I feel it's more secure as well. Plus if there's a shared driveway you get full use of it, can park cars on it etc unlike the front house. I don't think there's a downside!

[Gentoo]

We're in a battleaxe. I love the privacy!

The cons we've noticed are:

* access - depending on the width of your driveway, it might be awkward to get some vehicles (eg. large trucks) up your driveway, eg. if you're doing construction or getting furniture delivered

* parcel deliveries - it cheeses me off no end that many delivery people couldn't be bothered coming up our long driveway to check whether we're home, and instead just leave a delivery slip in the mailbox, so I have to trudge to the post office to collect parcels

* nowhere to leave skips or pallets on the verge (because you don't have one!)

* so very far to walk to the mailbox or take out bins!

The house you're looking at sounds great - good luck!

[IncyWincy]

Subbing ☺️

[nudge88]

I work for a land surveyors office and basically every surveyor lives on a battle axe! They seem to be renowned for it!

The location of services (power/sewer/water) shouldn't be an issue as during the subdivision stage of the original development, all of these things would have been required to be in the battleaxe handle ;(usually under the driveway). But it doesn't hurt to double check that they were put in the right place.

The only con that I could see from living in a rear lot would be that you'd have more neighbours than usual