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might buy a house --- Pre-fab 60's one

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Why is a prefab house not as desirable than a brick house? If there anything I should look out for as I have sold my house and might buy a 1960's prefab 3 bed house.

Thanks for any advise.

Comments

  • Nile
    Nile Posts: 14,845 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Why is a prefab house not as desirable than a brick house? If there anything I should look out for as I have sold my house and might buy a 1960's prefab 3 bed house.

    Thanks for any advise.

    Hello ChuckleVision

    I'm no expert but I wouldn't touch a 1960's prefab house with a bargepole.;) I remember lots of prefab houses being condemned and demolished in the East Yorkshire area. My grandparents lived in a prefab in the 1970's. It was small and difficult to keep warm in the winter or cool in the summer, due to a lack of insulation.

    Maybe the house you're interested in has a better construction.:confused: Even so, if you're still tempted to buy...........I recommend that you get a full structural survey first.

    Regards

    Nile
    10 Dec 2007 - Led Zeppelin - I was there. :j [/COLOR]:cool2: I wear my 50 (gold/red/white) blood donations pin badge with pride. [/SIZE][/COLOR]Give blood, save a life. [/B]
  • Thanks for the advice.

    We are in a bit of a dilema, as this prefab house is cheaper that our current one has sold for. The money left over (if we keep the mortguage the same) would be enough to pay off all our debts and be enough to get the house updated (central heating etc).
  • wymondham
    wymondham Posts: 6,356 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Mortgage-free Glee!
    it's cheaper for a reason ....
  • martindow
    martindow Posts: 10,566 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I think you may find it is cheaper as a mortgage might be more complicated to get for non standard construction. Might be worth checking this out.
  • bigdic
    bigdic Posts: 245 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Also you may find insurance could cost a bit more with sime insurance companies maybe not insuring you.

    Don't know if it's true where you live but pre-fabs don't go up in price as much as brick built houses which could cause you problems in the future.
  • edthedead
    edthedead Posts: 149 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I am almost sure you would have BIG problems getting a mortgage... I think that says something about the future value of a pre-fab!
  • If you're thinking about buying a pre-fab house make sure that you have a full structural survey done before thinking about buying. Pre-fab's can leak like a sieve and their insulation qualities are questionable. There they have been constructed you should be careful as joins can open up and let moisture into the property. It's not unusual to see mushrooms growing in the corner... not a pretty picture but as said by Wymondham, they're cheaper for a reason.

    Regards

    Richard
  • i thought local councils had rebuilt them all with brick, they have round here
  • Spendless
    Spendless Posts: 24,653 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I'm no expert but I believe pre-fabs were built as a temporary solution to the shortage of houses that existed after WW2. So they've been up far longer than they were meant or expected to. I also believe that they can be difficult to get a mortgage on. Some of the pre-fabs in my town have had brick fronts put on them and they certainly are more pleasing to look at, but there are plenty that haven't and they are just plain ugly. Sorry
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