Are Victorian property more desirable

nvt

I think the Victorian houses have so much character which you don't get in a new build. But each to his own. Around my area, Victorian properties definitely cost more than new builds/purpose built. I'm definitely a Victorian fan, the high ceilings are fantastic, the big rooms, the sash windows... I could go on! And converted Victorian houses make really lovely flats too.

Imelda

I love my victorian house but it's not without its faults. Yes it's draughty but I love the features- fireplaces, cornices, sash windows etc. The rooms are large and bright etc.

We've just spent the weekend with my ILs in their 1yr old new built. It's warm and cosy, everything is "clean" there are no awkward corners or creaky boards but it just lacks that special something.

It's a personal choice, my DH loves the house but having grown up in a series of new builds he definitely misses the straight lines (and walls) of newer properties...

tod123

Not if you want detached house with a garage and a drive

efunc

the people with victorian houses: what are some of the unexpected repairs and expenses you say you've had to deal with?

spud211

Doozergirl wrote: »

What is it, you think, that makes the profile of people on this board different to the real world? I'm interested to know!

Not really sure - but this happens with lots of issues on the internet..there tends to be certain trends that are specific to certain boards. Mainly by chance I guess, though could be related to age and general demographics.

mustrum_ridcully

Funny that these debates always seem to be Victorian v "new build". As opposed to say a 50/60's house with off-road parking, large garden, cavity walls...

Blodwen

A lot of people talking about Victorian houses seem to be thinking of terraces (comments about lack of parking and drives, etc.). We're looking specifically for Victorian semis (and have seen a few detached) with drives, garages in some cases, plus good sized gardens, big rooms, period features. I currently live in a little Victorian terrace and it's true, I'm not overly keen on the lack of off-street parking and small yard but it isn't difficult to heat (granted, double glazing instead of original sashes helps!) and we can barely hear anything from the neighbours.

I grew up in a 50's semi and have never liked them or new builds, give me Victorian any day of the week. My brother moved into a new build the same time as I bought my house and without wanting to descend into cliches, it really does have 'paper-thin walls' and boxy rooms, as well as not being able to hang stuff on the walls because the plaster won't hold. Where I live, there are thousands of Victorian houses, so they are cheaper than new builds, which suits me just fine!

mustrum_ridcully

Blodwen the reason that people talk about terraces is that 90%+ of Victorian houses are terraced, be they 2-up 2-down or big town houses. I've seen a few semi's but they're normally early Edwardian as opposed to Victorian.

I've lived in a Victorian terrace and I dread to think what it would have been like trying to heat it in the winter we've just had.

I have to say I dislike new builds as well, they're small, overpriced and not that well built.

Blodwen

mustrum_ridcully wrote: »

Blodwen the reason that people talk about terraces is that 90%+ of Victorian houses are terraced, be they 2-up 2-down or big town houses. I've seen a few semi's but they're normally early Edwardian as opposed to Victorian.

Fair enough, but even a lot of the larger terraces (in my area anyway) have a bit of a drive/frontage to park on and a back garden, which seems to be the main gripe about terraces. To be fair we have rejected a few on the basis of being a terrace with no off-road parking, but then I've seen quite a few new build 3 story townhouses on RM recently with only one parking space or even nothing out front, so based on just that I'd pick an old house every time!

geoffky

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

Our house is 200 years old, and despite the rattling sash windows, draughts, constant maintenance and intense cold we wouldn't swap it for anything new.

After all, you never see a new build house on a postcard!

Oh yes you do,The rooms are postcard size and the garden is stamp size and some come with a Juliet balcony so you can throw yourself off them when you find out how much money you have lost on them...new-builds on a estate, thanks but i am not a sheeple..:T
our house is 12 years old but it was built to order on its own with no other build near by and you can see that it had a lot of thought put into it before it was built.must say the main living room is massive with two side windows and at the end double patio doors opening onto the garden,, it costs a lot to heat and keep heated as does the whole house..