First time home buyer - please assist with info!

snowmaid

Hi there. Just been reading through these forums and wish I had discovered it ages ago! Such knowledgeable people on here!

We have been renting privately for the last 2.5 years. The owners want to sell and of course we have 1st option to buy. Having lived there we are aware of the 'problems' eg, kitchen needs to be redone, there is a crack on the outside wall which we have been told is plaster cracking. Apparently the electrics were replace by the previous owner who was an electrician but there are no papers etc for this. The heating is one of these old large boiler type thingies?

There are floorboards which slant a bit and seem to run down. It is a 1930's mid terrace. The kitchen was converted to open plan through to the dining area. There is a passage door separating the kitchen/dining area etc from the stairs and exit.

On the whole the property looks ok and I think can be made to look very nice. We then have the option of another house in the same street, going for 10k more. This has been totally refurbished, bathroom extended, new kitchen etc, however, no cupboards in bedrooms, we would need to apply for a drop pavement and the loung/diner is separate which would mean breaking through.

I really don't know what to do!!! As the house we live in, while it needs some work, we sort of know the extent of the problems whereas the other I don't know if problems have been glossed over!!!

HEEELPPP!!!

Doozergirl

You need a survey to establish the cause of the sloping floors and the outside wall. I don't particularly like the sound of it. It might be previous movement that has stopped, but I wouldn't buy without getting it checked by a structural engineer or a decent survey.

If it is just the plaster cracking then you may find that when you do stuff like strip wallpaper, that the plaster starts falling off in chunks. If a 1930s house hasn't already been replastered, it's very likely to need redoing in most rooms.

I'd go for either a full survey or get specialists in for everything to quote for you.

snowmaid

Doozergirl wrote: »

You need a survey to establish the cause of the sloping floors and the outside wall. I don't particularly like the sound of it. It might be previous movement that has stopped, but I wouldn't buy without getting it checked by a structural engineer or a decent survey.

If it is just the plaster cracking then you may find that when you do stuff like strip wallpaper, that the plaster starts falling off in chunks. If a 1930s house hasn't already been replastered, it's very likely to need redoing in most rooms.

I'd go for either a full survey or get specialists in for everything to quote for you.

The walls in all rooms are plastered and painted, but have there are fine cracks appearing which appear to be plaster. The outside has definitely been replastered as it was the little stones before. The only room which is wallpapered is the main bedroom.

airhostess

Hi Snowmaid,

If your landlord/lady is selling for 10k less than a similar 'done up' property on the same road, maybe she is aware of the work that needs doing and taken it into account. If you really love the house, then make him/her an offer based on what you think it is worth assuming it does have the problems you mentioned. Let the landlord/lady know that your offer is subject to the survey, and be sure to get a full structural survey done. The surveryor will be able to give you an idea of costs to fix the problems as well, and make sure the costs are reflected in your final offer. Maybe even getting a builder round to take a look at the issues before you make your initial offer will give you a rough idea. Remember that your landlord/lady is more likely to accept offer from you than anyone else as you have saved him/her at least 1% of the cost of the house in not having to pay an estate agent!

If you do buy the house, at least you will have the satisfaction in knowing what you were buying and that you renovated it to a good standard and it is all to your taste!

Phirefly

Is it me or is it becoming a trend to buy your rented property at the moment?!

snowmaid

If we decide we want to buy the 'renovated' house, are there any papers we should be getting / asking for? Eg, the bathroom has been extended into the 2nd room and kitchen walls have been changed and a new kitchen fitted.

snowmaid

If we decide we want to buy the 'refurbished' house, are there any papers we should be getting / asking for? What questions should I be asking and them being able to answer Eg, the bathroom has been extended into the 2nd room and kitchen walls have been changed and a new kitchen fitted. Is there anything they should have done or obatined with regards building regs etc?

marybishop

Snowmaid - anything structural e.g. removal of load bearing walls would require Building Regs approval. Also electrics now comes under B Regs. Depends on how recently work was done for some things but for load bearing walls you definitely need proof that this was obtained. Be wary if they can't provide it.