Redo or sell?

itgirlinuk

Hi,

I currently live in a 2 bed, thats just enough for me. This flat needs a bit of TLC to make it look nice and tidy.

My dilema is, do I spend the money (somewhere around £10,000) to do this place up or do I buy a nicely done up flat with more space? I will have to extend my mortgage to pay for the bigger flat, but is it worth doing, with the house prices going up?

How do I find answer to my question - redo or sell up and move on?

All suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

clutton_2

are you happy where you live now ? if yes - why move ?

mrs_deadline

Nicely done up + more space = sounds like a LOT more money
Flat-hunting = about as stressful as having builders in
Moving = yet more outlay (fees, stamp duty) and a few more months of your life...

It's a case of doing the old cost-benefit analysis, really weigh up if what you'll get for the extra outlay is really worth it to you, it's your money and your lifestyle at the end of the day.

Mrs_pbradley936

If you like where you live, easy to get to work etc I would stay there and spend a bit on the place. Moving will cost you in terms of money, time and energy.

lilyann1

If you like where you live and the place is big enough ,then I'd stay as house buying and selling is so stressful.

GhostHunter_3

In whose eyes does the place need TLC? Get some friends around and ask them for their honest opinion of whats required. Then arrange a DIY & fresh lick of paint party a lot cheaper and more fun.

Furniture wise take a look at your local FreeCycle website. Why do you need more space? Can you adapt a room for dual use or declutter and live minimalistically?

Hope this is a valid suggestion? Good luck!

Thanks

Doozergirl

Whatever you do, don't have a painting party - the flat will look worse than it did before!

The best thing about having a place that needs TLC is that you have the opportunity to make entirely to your own taste right down to the taps and door handles. There'll always be something you don't quite like when you buy someone elses taste, even if it's small. I can't understand why this house has chrome light fittings and gold door handles

lynzpower

once you factor in your own selling costs, EAs solicitors, stamp duty all those new associated costs, theres no way Id move unless I had to. Even if you sold now, I bet youd want to spend a few quid making it look great for the estate agents?? Im redoing my flat for sale now, and it looks better than ever before :rotfl:

If you spend 10k on doing up your current flat youll save yourself a fortune I bet!

clutton_2

""it looks better than ever before "" - last time i thought of moving, i got my cottage SO gorgeous ready for viewings, that i decided i did not want to move anymore !!!!!! i guess the EA was a bit miffed !!!

itgirlinuk

Oh my god! First time I have seen everyone saying the same thing. That must be worth something.

To answer your questions, yes I like where I am living and its great for work and friends and everything. I knew it needed TLC when I bought it and was enthusiastic about it. But builders and traders have kind of broken my spirit a bit. Hence the idea to move....

I completely forgot about the stresses of moving houses and spending few months looking for the right place. Didnt take that into the total cost calculation.

This has helped me make my mind up. I am going to get the work done and stay put.

Thank you all folks.

Doozergirl

Try to get some recommendations for tradespeople; ask around at work or even knock on the door of someonewho's just had a new extension or some work done. People love talking about their houses and what they've done to them - and if they were happy with the builder!

I'd rather knock on doors for a recommendation than get ripped off by a cowboy.