FTB - older or newer property?

Doozergirl

Yes, I could certainly make an educated guess based on the way it looks and the features of it.

Wickedkitten

poppysarah wrote: »

You can tell by looking sometimes. I've got a lovely book with types of houses in that gives dates.

Show us a url and we'll guess

Do you happen to have the name of the book handy? I love books like that.

Wickedkitten

Doozergirl wrote: »

Yes, I could certainly make an educated guess based on the way it looks and the features of it.

Ok, just as an easy test, how old would you say these houses are


Click for full size - Uploaded with plasq's Skitch

CLS26

Hi thanks for those replies.

I'd guess the houses in the post above were built in the 1970s? Total guess though, based on the wooden cladding under the windows, which I think is post war?

The area we are interested in (postcode SO15) has a lot of what I would call 'railway cottages' (rows and rows of red-brick terraces), but I'm not sure when they were built. See links for houses in different streets in the area:

http://powering.expertagent.co.uk/(S(nzdjcci2ozjmbgzvfqgtpf45))/agencies/%7ba06d280d-12f6-4e9b-acdc-5bf07fbd77a0%7d/%7bca430cab-9115-4428-afc9-a3efcdcc07f0%7d/main/IMG_3799.JPG

http://www.connells.co.uk/pictures/SSR/SSR3017161.JPG

http://powering.expertagent.co.uk/(S(ploynb45fhoq3xn1j5bqkkao))/showImage.aspx?img=/{a06d280d-12f6-4e9b-acdc-5bf07fbd77a0}/{a69eae82-2fb2-49ff-b9d5-52b6771da916}/IMG_5163.JPG&w=467&h=350

Thanks!
CLS

pebblespop

i think new builds have a bad reputation from the way they were built in the 90's with tiny bedrooms and thin walls.

i bought one about a year ago and it has large rooms and is very warm and no noise from family next door.

i wouldn't want a 90's new build but the more recent ones seem a lot better.

aliwali

My house was built in the 90's and whilst you can hear some noise it isn't very bad and it does warm up quickly, oh and we have 3 double bedrooms in a 2 storey town house, so it is quite big. We are maybe looking to sell this year and buy on a brand new, new build estate. I think it is personal choice, but I would much prefer to buy a new house that won't need anything doing to it. Our first house was a bay fronted semi and it would have needed a lot spending on it to make it perfect.

If you're happy to diy and don't like new builds then definately go for the 3 bed if only because it is 3 beds rather than 2. Good luck.

Doozergirl

Wickedkitten wrote: »

Ok, just as an easy test, how old would you say these houses are

LOL! Here we go. I guess late 70's very early 80's.

driver85

Many thanks for all your responses, definitely edging towards the older property based on your advice. We will have quite a bit of disposable income on top of the mortgage if we buy either property so shouldn't think we'd struggle too much on the repairs if we can spread them out over time.

One property we're interested in (older 3 bed) was up at 145k last year, is now on at 130k and we'd be hoping to get for 120k or less. Needs a new bathroom but current 1 is liveable. It also needs the utility room completely redoing and has 5 windows which aren't UPVC double glazed (think it would cost c1.5k for those).

How much on average would the new bathroom and utility cost (will need plastering, new worktops, cupboards etc)? Would either these add much value to the property long term? It's already been extended out the back so could only really add a conservatory. Given there's only going to be 2 of us for quite some time it probably wouldn't be needed.

In terms of newer 2 bed - I guess you could add a conservatory for extra space or potentially extend over the garage? Can't say either of these massively appeal. The houses we've viewed so far feel like a 2 bed flat over 2 floors rather than a house.

Doozergirl

CLS26 wrote: »

Hi thanks for those replies.

I'd guess the houses in the post above were built in the 1970s? Total guess though, based on the wooden cladding under the windows, which I think is post war?

The area we are interested in (postcode SO15) has a lot of what I would call 'railway cottages' (rows and rows of red-brick terraces), but I'm not sure when they were built. See links for houses in different streets in the area:

http://powering.expertagent.co.uk/(S(nzdjcci2ozjmbgzvfqgtpf45))/agencies/%7ba06d280d-12f6-4e9b-acdc-5bf07fbd77a0%7d/%7bca430cab-9115-4428-afc9-a3efcdcc07f0%7d/main/IMG_3799.JPG

http://www.connells.co.uk/pictures/SSR/SSR3017161.JPG

http://powering.expertagent.co.uk/(S(ploynb45fhoq3xn1j5bqkkao))/showImage.aspx?img=/{a06d280d-12f6-4e9b-acdc-5bf07fbd77a0}/{a69eae82-2fb2-49ff-b9d5-52b6771da916}/IMG_5163.JPG&w=467&h=350

Thanks!
CLS

They look turn of the 20th century late victorian, edwardian era. The last ones look almost certainly Edwardian to me. c1910 though from the little I can see of the one attached on the left, it's a much newer build.

CLS26

driver85 wrote: »

Many thanks for all your responses, definitely edging towards the older property based on your advice. We will have quite a bit of disposable income on top of the mortgage if we buy either property so shouldn't think we'd struggle too much on the repairs if we can spread them out over time.

One property we're interested in (older 3 bed) was up at 145k last year, is now on at 130k and we'd be hoping to get for 120k or less. Needs a new bathroom but current 1 is liveable. It also needs the utility room completely redoing and has 5 windows which aren't UPVC double glazed (think it would cost c1.5k for those).

How much on average would the new bathroom and utility cost (will need plastering, new worktops, cupboards etc)? Would either these add much value to the property long term? It's already been extended out the back so could only really add a conservatory. Given there's only going to be 2 of us for quite some time it probably wouldn't be needed.

In terms of newer 2 bed - I guess you could add a conservatory for extra space or potentially extend over the garage? Can't say either of these massively appeal. The houses we've viewed so far feel like a 2 bed flat over 2 floors rather than a house.

I don't really look at changing bathroom/kitchen as 'adding value' as such, unless you're talking about personal enjoyment of the property instead of $$$.

As for the cost of a new kitchen/bathroom, price depends on too many factors (size, desired finish) to give an accurate estimate. However...

If you have a rough idea of the dimensions of the kitchen you are wanting to refit, most kitchen sellers provide a 'kitchen planner' service online, so you can get an idea of how much units etc will cost you e.g. http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/templates/content_lookup.jsp?content=/content/inspire_me/kitchen_planner.jsp&noleftnav=true&menu=inspire_me

I would go for the older propety as well, and assume you'll get a proper survey done to identify any age issues.

CLS