Your first home - first impressions?

Amba_Gambla

Thanks for all your replies! I think it's becoming clear that a 'wow' moment means a lot of different things to different people!

The more I think about it, the more I think the place I have in mind could be the right place for me. I'm off to the agents tomorrow to ask some questions and book a second viewing.

It doesn't tick all the boxes - the downstairs is amazing, with a fantastic garden (which was high on my list) and great open kitchen/diner. It's in the town I wanted, and close to the park. The upstairs is much smaller than I'd have liked, so it didn't wow me off the bat, so wondered how many people have these 'wow' moments (I'm not the kinda guy who can sit and watch Phil & Kirsty et al).

curedham

Didn't have the "wow" moment because the vendor didn't maintain the flat properly and was rented out. But we saw lots of potential and decided to go with it. We were right we had a great time here, plus there weren't that many flats in London for the price that we ended up paying for.

Time to move on though

sammyjammy

I_have_spoken wrote: »

I bought with head rather than heart, so looked at price, indications of 'type' of neighbour, condition, £s needed to refresh, aspect and size of garden, transport links, schools, rental income if needed etc.

Of course, I second viewed with clipboard, tape measure and pored over all aspects of the house with the vendors.

I suppose all the boxes ticked is 'wow'?

Me too, I didn't love my house, it was a dump. 14 years on I'm nearly there with the work, it's been so slow and expensive.

I bought my house cheap (£29,950) because it was a do'er upper, it's almost the way I want it but I still don't love it, it's home but if I could summon up the courage to move I wouldn't look back.

jimjammy

We've viewed around 15 houses and only had the 'wow' factor with one. We both fell in love with it. We had our offer accepted and got our solicitors on the case. 12 weeks later we had to pull out due to the property having substantial alterations with no building regs; the bank just weren't prepared to take the risk and neither were we to be honest.

No we're viewing houses with our heads rather than our hearts!

nakiwala123

I_have_spoken wrote: »

So basically no-one has experienced the 'reveal' moment they have on TV house programmes of gasps, hugs, tears, hand-to-mouth, effusive 'thank yous', more tears, ...

I had the gasps but it was all muted since we did not want the vendor to know that we were keen. Not that it worked as the vendor allowed us to take another look on our own and I think at one point I jumped several times in excitement telling BF that this is it! Vendor must have thought we were testing the floor!:rotfl::rotfl:

Strapped

First house - I knew I was going to buy it before I even saw the inside. It was in the right location, was big (3 beds) and cheap. Tick, tick, tick, job done. It had been rented out, had (pink!) artex on the walls and needed some repairs to the bathroom, plus it took ages to actually get the keys off the landlord, who was abroad, to see inside, which is probably why I ended up getting it. Not exactly "wow" for d!cor but definitely "wow, potential" for me at the time.

Cash-Cow_3

If its got wow then you will probably over pay for it.

cod3

First flat - "WOW! What a dump, no wonder they can't sell it." Made a big profit on it though and sold it two years later.

Current house - "WOW! What a garden. I don't care what the house is like." (Green bathroom suite, no heating, flock wallpaper, psychedelic carpets.) It's my forever house :T