BISF Houses. Is BISF dodgy?? BISF BISF BISF!!!

ruggedtoast

It would appear that after years of saving, months of falling house prices, a clean credit history, and managing to remain employed with an above average salary in a recession; I am now in the extraordinarily privileged position of being able to afford a small BISF house in an unfashionable part of my locale.

Praise be to Gordon for He has truly provided the meritocracy He promised! Imagine a world where two degree educated employed people can , in only the first flush of their mid thirties - actually be able to entertain the prospect of owning a small house.

The promised land has arrived. If we had only known in 1997 that this could come to pass merely 10 years later, just imagine, joy would have been unconfined.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-21266033.html?pageNumber=4&backToListURL=%2Fproperty-for-sale%2Ffind.html%3FlocationIdentifier%3DOUTCODE%255E1058%26sortByPriceDescending%3Dfalse%26minBedrooms%3D3%26radius%3D0.25%26index%3D30&locationIdentifier=OUTCODE^1058&radius=0.25&minBeds=3

Anyway - this wiped the smile off my face somewhat:

http://www.theglasgowstory.com/image.php?inum=TGSA00785

What about BISF? It sounds like it would fall down in a high wind.

Evee2000

I've carried out energy assessments at a couple of BISF properties. They were great family sized homes, and had been fully internally insulated.

They were built just after the war and were never expected to have the lifespan that they have had.

They are pretty sturdy homes - although many may have an asbestos roof (not an issue if left undisturbed). Some BISF have had issues with metal fatigue - a survey would highlight this possibly - I believe that there are specific tests to check for this.

Many lenders are happy to finance the purchase of BISF these days.

Quite a bit of info to be found on Google.

PasturesNew

Getting a mortgage might prove a problem, you need to check this with a lender before you apply for the mortgage and pay for a survey.

Also, they might want a bigger deposit. The cost of borrowing might be a smidgeon more too.

Nikki

In Oxford there a loads of prefab houses and all are much bigger internally than many standard built houses. In Oxford there are Airey, Orlit, Howard and Bisf houses. We lived in a Howard house for 10 years and apart from bad '70's DIY we had no problems with it. We had no probs getting a mortgage for it either, but that was 1995. OH's uncle has lived in a Bisf house for years and had no probs. The only Prefabs here that have had serious problems are the Orlits and most have been demolished now.

Mutton_Geoff

Agent has it listed since May and put the price UP in July? What planet are these people living on?

(Data thanks to Property Bee)

ruggedtoast

Yeah, theyre one another planet arent they. I might give BISF a miss - Im not sure. Theres not much affordable in NW London. Many of the houses have been on for months with no sellers and no change in price.

One was unsold at auction with a reserve of £180,000. So has now gone back to open market at "offers over £205,000.

Mutton_Geoff

Many agents are still stuck in stage 1 of the Kubler Ross model people experience in times of great loss

Steve_Andrea

I own a BISF property, and was also brought up in one my parents owned.

In my opinion, BISF arent "Dodgy" but they do come with a number of "issues" buyers need to be aware of in advance.

1. Mortgages - Not all mortgage companies will lend on them so you will need to check with your chosen provider in advance (However Santander, Halifax, Northern Rock and a few more do)
2. Buildings Insurance - Hardly any of the main stream providers cover NON STANDARD CONSTRUCTION and so you will need to go to contact a broker. Be prepared to pay more than you would for a "standard build"
3. Construction - most of the council owned ones have been cladded, new windows doors etc. However some which where bought before these improvements are in need of ALOT of modernisation. All of the walls and ceilings will need to be re-boarded, new kitchens, new bathroom etc...

Hope this helps anyone out there looking to buy a BISF.

maninthestreet

Steve_Andrea wrote: »

I own a BISF property, and was also brought up in one my parents owned.

In my opinion, BISF arent "Dodgy" but they do come with a number of "issues" buyers need to be aware of in advance.

1. Mortgages - Not all mortgage companies will lend on them so you will need to check with your chosen provider in advance (However Santander, Halifax, Northern Rock and a few more do)
2. Buildings Insurance - Hardly any of the main stream providers cover NON STANDARD CONSTRUCTION and so you will need to go to contact a broker. Be prepared to pay more than you would for a "standard build"
3. Construction - most of the council owned ones have been cladded, new windows doors etc. However some which where bought before these improvements are in need of ALOT of modernisation. All of the walls and ceilings will need to be re-boarded, new kitchens, new bathroom etc...

Hope this helps anyone out there looking to buy a BISF.

Thid thread is almost two and a half years old!

Steve_Andrea

maninthestreet wrote: »

Thid thread is almost two and a half years old!

I am aware of this.

However, seeing as BISF properties are still for sale in the UK and other posters might be looking for info, its better to reply to a thread than to create a new post?

jonnyboy232

Hi,

We are thinking of buying a BISF property and just wondered what people's views were about them currently? I've mean reading lot's online and some people say they are terrible and wouldn't touch with a barge poll and you can't get mortgages or insurance etc..whilst some say the complete opposite...so it's really confusing. I have looked into Mortages and Halifax and Santandar lend although other's don't. Only got around to phoning one insurer and they said it's no problem and would cost the same as a regular brick built house.

I know a good few years ago there were not many lenders and insurance policies could cost more so why has that changed? Would have thought the older these properties got, the less likely they would insure or mortgage them? I keep reading they were only meant to last 30 - 50 years??

The one we are looking at has had all the upgrade done, with upvc panels and better insulation so maybe that makes a difference with the insurance and mortgage although I don't remember them asking if they had been upgraded

Any info would be helpful

Cheers