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Buying - Am I making a mistake

13

Comments

  • debrag
    debrag Posts: 3,426 Forumite
    I wouldn't take it due to location
  • this one is 236K. My maximum maximum is 227K. I can't borrow any higher unfortunately.

    And at 236K, it's not that different from the house I have except the condition.
  • How much are you able to do yourself? If you're an able type who is prepared to give it a go, then it could be a great opportunity.

    Friend of mine bought a property in Cambridge (admittedly in slightly better nick and smaller) with no real experience in doing up houses - it was his only option. He spent nearly every night and all weekends doing it up. Even the harder jobs such as electrics and plastering he turned his hand at (he did get a qualified electrician to sign it all off).

    Its not perfect, but it's his home now.

    His motto was all you need is the right tool and Google.
  • I'm happy to do work actually. But I probably can't afford to pay so much extra to repair everything.

    Maybe my question is... if I were to sell it in few years, and leave the house as is... how much would that worth in the market?
  • Who knows?

    It'll keep deteriorating so should be worth less but if the local market rises then it could follow suit.

    That's a pure gamble though. You may as well go to the casino.
  • jennifernil
    jennifernil Posts: 5,821 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I don't think leaving it as it is is an option!
  • fimonkey
    fimonkey Posts: 1,238 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    eric_blair wrote: »
    How much are you able to do yourself? If you're an able type who is prepared to give it a go, then it could be a great opportunity.

    Friend of mine bought a property in Cambridge (admittedly in slightly better nick and smaller) with no real experience in doing up houses - it was his only option. He spent nearly every night and all weekends doing it up. Even the harder jobs such as electrics and plastering he turned his hand at (he did get a qualified electrician to sign it all off).

    Its not perfect, but it's his home now.

    His motto was all you need is the right tool and Google.
    I would add to that motto - "and heaps of time and patience". ... I too thought I could do work myself with the help of google and you tube - but my workmanship was shoddy (as I'd nver tried anything like it before), it took up FAR TOO MUCH of my time and took over my life, I broke many things because I had no 'technique' (like how do you hold a mirror and screw it to the wall at the same time and not smash it? - yup I was that bad).
    My lesson learnt, I will never attempt DIY again and will pay extra for the security of someone who knows what they are doing.

    If you have infinite time and patience give DIY ago. If you prefer a good job, and want to maintain your other hobbies and life, pay a tradesman!
  • isisini
    isisini Posts: 61 Forumite
    Is there a reason you need a four bed place? It seems a big house if you're only going to live there for a couple of years, unless you have a big family. You might be able to get somewhere in better condition if you look at two bed terraces.
  • geoffky
    geoffky Posts: 6,835 Forumite
    Jesus where do all these clever buyers come from..They do not do any homework yet expect to come out of a quarter of a million pounds transaction unscathed....Do your HOMEWORK on asking and selling prices before you ever go near a property......Find out what the owners paid ect ect..
    It is nice to see the value of your house going up'' Why ?
    Unless you are planning to sell up and not live anywhere, I can;t see the advantage.
    If you are planning to upsize the new house will cost more.
    If you are planning to downsize your new house will cost more than it should
    If you are trying to buy your first house its almost impossible.
  • I finally decided to retract myself from the offer.

    I'll keep looking elsewhere...

    I don't need a 4 bedroom, but I really like space and size.
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