Character (edwardian) v Space (1970s)

redhead123 · 19 February 2017 at 8:47PM

Hi folks!
So I've just had an offer accepted on my house yay! http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55628089.html
It has a modern kitchen and bathroom and features fireplaces within 3 min walking of the town. I loved living here but it is a 2 bed with no storage for the OH's stuff.
We were looking for a character house with an extra bed (3 beds) and parking...we haven't seen many within our price range..
We started looking last June - saw something but weren't in a position to move. The other week we saw something that ticked nearly all boxes but then the seller decided not to move!
Yesterday we saw a house that I wouldn't ordinarily have looked at...it's a 1970s house in a culdesac in the next village which is 10 minutes walk to the town. It's not particularly pretty on the outside but the inside is lovely - and it's got river views.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-58184536.html

The OH is concerned about the lean to conservatory as it looks a DIY job and probably needs replacing. I am hung up a bit (admittedly) on character houses and um maybe a postcode snob (did I just say that - Well I probably need to get over this! and be realistic!) So wondering whether to keep holding out for the character house and compromise on the parking - or consider the outsider! I just never thought I'd consider a 1970s house....

kinger101 · 19 February 2017 at 8:54PM

Do you want a conservatory? Might be better just to remove rather than replace.

walwyn1978 · 19 February 2017 at 8:55PM

We thought we wanted a character house in a small village. We bought a 1950's dormer bungalow in the suburbs of a small town, which had been converted out and up, and did so because despite it not looking especially wow out front had internally been opened out, converted and modernised brilliantly. In the end, you will spend very little time looking at the outside of the house, character or not, and a large amount of time inside.

We love where we live. I hope that whichever one you choose you're happy too. :-)

prosaver · 19 February 2017 at 9:00PM

can you get insurance as its near to a river and flooding might be a concern?

more info @ http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?value=mk19+7dz&submit=Search%09&lang=_e&ep=map&topic=floodmap&layerGroups=default&scale=9&textonly=off

BTW
Victorian houses are expensive to heat up

Hoploz · 19 February 2017 at 10:10PM

When we moved in 2007 the only thing we wouldn't consider was a 1960's square box.

....But that's what we bought. Houses were in short supply and going for well above asking price and fast. We were relieved when our asking price offer was accepted!

We were there 7 years and it was great. Square rooms, big windows, sensible layout, parking, garage and most importantly it was in the right place. It was a do-er upper and we renovate every square inch, added some nice character features like porch & fireplace, added a big extension with a beautiful master suite with juliet balcony - it was all my own design and I would have happily stayed there for good! If you'd told me I'd live there I'd never have believed it before.

In fact, I know that's true as the previous owner was an old friend of my mum's so I'd escorted Mum to her funeral 18months before and didn't look twice at the house. Even when my mum suggested it would come to market soon, just after we started looking, I just sniffed and ignored her!

trailingspouse · 19 February 2017 at 10:49PM

The perfect house doesn't exist, so every house you buy has to be a compromise of some sort.

When we bought our current house 3 years ago, we looked at 4 houses on the same day, all at around the same price. The other 3 were immaculate, needed nothing doing to them - and were teeny weeny. The one we bought was a large Edwardian town house with a basement and an attic and in need of total renovation. But for me the biggest compromise was that it was on the main road not far from the town centre. I've always lived either well out of town or in a village, never this close to the centre. Turns out I love it - I can walk to the supermarket, the doctor, the dentist, the vet, the hairdresser, the gym etc etc. Can't imagine how I ever coped out in the sticks where you can't just pop out for a bottle of milk!!

So - never say never. Think about what you can change (the inside certainly, the outside to a degree) and what you can't change (the location). Are you prepared to live with the bits you can't change?

Red-Squirrel_2 · 19 February 2017 at 11:01PM

I wanted a red brick 1930s semi, but ended up buying a sixties box that looks very similar to the one you're considering.

I don't remotely regret it, for all the reasons Hoploz mentions. What I've realised is that you live inside your house, and space and good layout etc. are what you really appreciate. You don't actually spend a great deal of time looking at the outside once it becomes your home!

robatwork · 19 February 2017 at 11:12PM

redhead123 wrote: »

I am hung up a bit (admittedly) on character houses and um maybe a postcode snob (did I just say that - Well I probably need to get over this! and be realistic!)

Don't worry, everyone in Stony Stratford is a postcode snob. I once made the mistake of calling it a suburb of Milton Keynes when visiting someone there. It was like a remake of the Wicker Man as they chased me through the countryside.

I think the house looks fine, love the views but the proximity of the river would worry me - are there flood defences upstream? I would check if you can get insurance too.

redhead123 · 20 February 2017 at 12:31AM

robatwork wrote: »

Don't worry, everyone in Stony Stratford is a postcode snob. I once made the mistake of calling it a suburb of Milton Keynes when visiting someone there. It was like a remake of the Wicker Man as they chased me through the countryside.

I think the house looks fine, love the views but the proximity of the river would worry me - are there flood defences upstream? I would check if you can get insurance too.

Ha ha I can just imagine that!!
I checked on the environment flood map and it is just just outside of it by the looks of things! Still within the quarter of a mile so it would affect insurance

redhead123 · 20 February 2017 at 12:35AM

trailingspouse wrote: »

The perfect house doesn't exist, so every house you buy has to be a compromise of some sort.

When we bought our current house 3 years ago, we looked at 4 houses on the same day, all at around the same price. The other 3 were immaculate, needed nothing doing to them - and were teeny weeny. The one we bought was a large Edwardian town house with a basement and an attic and in need of total renovation. But for me the biggest compromise was that it was on the main road not far from the town centre. I've always lived either well out of town or in a village, never this close to the centre. Turns out I love it - I can walk to the supermarket, the doctor, the dentist, the vet, the hairdresser, the gym etc etc. Can't imagine how I ever coped out in the sticks where you can't just pop out for a bottle of milk!!

So - never say never. Think about what you can change (the inside certainly, the outside to a degree) and what you can't change (the location). Are you prepared to live with the bits you can't change?

Yes that's how I feel re popping outside. It is only a ten minute walk whereas mine is 5 if that but the postcode makes the difference in price and space. Inside doesn't need a thing but the outside definitely does ( perhaps a porch over the door although it is on the side) and maybe one over the bay window?

redhead123 · 20 February 2017 at 12:36AM

kinger101 wrote: »

Do you want a conservatory? Might be better just to remove rather than replace.

It would be nice but a longer term thing I think!

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Character (edwardian) v Space (1970s)

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