Ever Fallen in Love with Something You Shouldn't Have...? :/

Lizbetty

Hi everyone

We're still selling our house but things are hotting up as we've changed agents, thanks to the advice on here :money:

I've seen a house that I've absolutely fallen for, and so rational behaviour/thought is out of the window (hence me seeking advice from people who don't have the rose tinted specs on!). It's over 100 years old and is built in an area which is apparently like Swiss cheese (not uncommon in these here parts..). The house is actually quite wonky. It's detached, and has a small extension which has been built straight, the bricks which attach the extension to the house show the extent of the past movement as they jutt out at the top and end up flush to the rest of the wall as they go to the ground!

The agent says that it hasn't moved for years, though. (That's the agent, I know..) I do know a buyer has been pulled out because of the past subsidence.

The house is perfect for us, other than the fact that it is fairly top end of our budget (albeit very well priced), and possibly could fall down. I actually go to sleep thinking about it, and wake up thinking about it. And I dream about living there too. It has no immediate neighbours and a wonderful garden. Sigh..

I have considered that underpinning might be an option. As our house is still on the market, it would make sense to wait until we have a firm offer before we do anything about this house, but I'm feeling very optimistic since the change of agents and want to be prepared to act if we do get a buyer..

I know that most folk will think I'm remarkably stupid for even contemplating a wonky house, but I'm wondering which way to tackle this - obviously a structural engineer's report would be essential. Worst case scenario - is underpinning something we ought to think about, and does anyone have any idea of the approximate costs of this? I hear there are other ways to firm up a house now, does anyone know of a cheaper option to underpinning at all please?

I would prefer to know what the costs could be if the movement is something that isn't historic and whether this house is actually a viable option.

It's a nightmare, isn't it? :eek:

Anyway. Thanks for any advice anyone can offer!

Best wishes

Lucy

NVRAM

I'd be checking if the past movement/subsidence is gonna hammer your building insurance.

maninthestreet

You need to get a full structural survey done if you really want this house.

rxbren

stay well clear underpinning costs a fortune and there really isnt other alternatives you need to have a structural engineer look at it and the actual underpinning could be as much as £1000 per meter

if it has already been underpinned or needs it you will struggle to find buildings insurance and if you do will be a big price as ony specialist insurers will do it

also without buildings insurance you wont get a mortgage

so unless you can afford to pay for the building outright and have a large amount of money put by to sort any subsidence id personally look for something else

tired_dad

Walk away or be happy spending a lot of your spare money on the upkeep.

Subsidence aside, there will always be something that needs sorting.

macman

Do you need a mortgage? If so, the building society may not touch it.

southcoastrgi

+1 on the above, if there is the slightest hint that the movement is continuing the mortgage co won't touch it with a barge pole.

Jaynne

Use caution and make sure you know the full facts before thinking about buying.

A house is a home and if you love it then so be it but you also have to have your practical head on. If you can't afford the implications of the movement and a 100 year old house then stay well clear as your dream could well turn into a constant headache for you.

Lizbetty

Gah. Of course, you're all talking perfect sense

The thing that has hit home is the fact that there would be other issues to factor in - the guttering looks like it's ready for replacing, the kitchen isn't actually *that* ideal for us and would need extending for it to be perfect... plus it's a slate roof and some of the slates are loose. I can see the slates seeming a small job and ending up a can of worms.

It is well priced and I suppose this is why. There are a couple of other issues I was going to overlook (I don't want to say too much in case the owner happens to subscribe to MSE, if I am too specific about it they could suss me out! But the village smells terribly, quite often..) but added together, it does appear to (possibly) be a pipe dream on our budget. With two small kids, no doubt we'll have things our money would be better spent on than a money pit style house.

I think all comments considered, I'll start looking at others (sob!!!) and try not to focus on that one too much. We might ask some more questions if we do get a buyer for ours and the wonky one is still on the market, but I think all of your comments has made me think seriously about the financial (/stress) implications of it all.

Although I did say if it fell through the floor, it's such a lovely plot I'd be quite happy setting up our old caravan in the huge garden and living in that! :rotfl: (*Sort* of not joking..!!)

Thanks again for your sensible advice. It really is appreciated. x


Bah. I love(d) that house...

Lizbetty

ps The current owners have only had it for around 7 years. That made me wonder whether it is very old movement and the mortgage company deemed it ok. Or whether the mortgage company employed a rubbish valuer. Or whether there was no mortgage on it. But anyway... back to Rightmove!

We would need a mortgage, but it's quite low LTV as I've had a mortgage forever and managed to get it down over the years. I'm not sure if the fact the mortgage company may be more flexible with any items on the valuation report because of the low LTV is a good thing, to be honest!