Bought a huge mistake of a house: what to do?

I_have_spoken

Is there an RM link so we can see what the real state of play is?

we're both in our mid 20s

We'll that's a plus. You have the energy of youth to put in 'sweat equity' every night until midnight to get the place done up to a reasonable standard. If the roof, windows and C/H are sound, the rest is all do-able. Why not see if there are any DIY courses at local colleges over the 13/14 winter, then get stuck in next Spring?

I bought a place last Sep and make a deliberate decision to get as much stuff off Ebay as possible. So far I've got curtains, nets, dining table/chairs, larder freezer, coffee table, bathroom fittings, mirrors, lamps, alarm etc. for far less that I'd have paid in the high street.

The Tory Party is gerrymandering a house price boom to secure the 2015 election which will help you, with interest rates being held at rock bottom for another 4 years.

kyana

if there's one near you offering it, B&Q do DIY classes. never been to one myself so can't vouch for them but I've heard other people recommend them:

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/content/support/services/youcandoit_classes/index.jsp?noCookies=false

this pages lists the classes and says they start from £10 for 2-4 hour lessons.

But "You can do it" classes are free for B&Q club members (which itself is free to join although I can't find this specifically in writing): http://www.diy.com/content/marketing/bandqclub/index.jsp?menu=club

Definitely be worth looking into.

purcel

We've bought our house 3 years ago and needed redecorating everywhere! We have started room by room, still have 1 bedroom and the hallway and staircase left to do, plus all carpets upstairs and bathroom floor, but we're getting there! We have recently changed 5 interior doors for only £375, the new ones look really good! We do what we can when we have got money!
And by the way, never done tiling in my life before- but done the kitchen and bathroom really well- was proud of myself!

Mickygg

OP don't despair. I did a similar thing a year ago. Moved in (although I had seen the house) then found so many things wrong that I didn't pick up on where roof was leaking, all windows needed replacing, all new carpets, new bathrooms etc etc. I wondered what I had done and for months regretted it. However now things have settled down. I'm doing bit by bit and very slowly now getting there but it will take several years.Do the things first that for small effort make the biggest difference, such as painting and cheap carpets.
Bit by bit is the only way.

pinkshoes

The words mountain and mole hill spring to mind!

The house sounds fine and minor work to be done. You may not have viewed it yourself before buying, but you surely looked up the location?

What does your boyfriend feel about it?

You seem to be throwing your toys out the pram because it isn't as you pictured it.

Ps -I'm currently living in a house with no sink, hob or oven, and all washing up has to be done in the bathroom upstairs!

The_Magnificent_Spoon

Wow, chill out you great big Negative Nancy!

Think of it as an opportunity. Basically, it will motivate you to get your !!!!!! into gear and stamp your own personalities on YOUR home. Theres the key bit, you don't want to live in somebody elses home, it is yours.

Most of your list is easy. The kitchen and bathroom can be left for now. Interior doors are cheap and not too difficult to hang yourselves. Most things like this, there are loads of good tradesmen posting videos on youtube to show you what to do. Choosing wallpaper/painting/flooring are ALL part of the joy and excitement of your home.

Stop being so negative, get out of the frame of mind that renting for so long has put you in, and get looking through flooring/furnishing/DIY shops for the perfect things for your home. You'll soon start getting excited. I promise!

laptop80

As has been said don't get too down about it - most of the problems you mention are very easy to fix yourselves without spending a lot of money.

If you're not handy yet, see it as an opportunity and a learning experience. Think how much the skills you pick up doing the work yourselves will save you in your lifetime.

We are in the process of doing our house up (still) and it's surprising what you can do if you a prepared to have a go. I have spent all my life working at a desk but so far in a bid to save money I've:

- Replaced all the internal doors (blag a trade account at Howden's and internal doors are very cheap)
- Fitted and tiled a new bathroom (including replacing the floor)
- Fitted and tiled a new kitchen (including putting in a false ceiling and core drilling the wall to put an extraction fan in)
- Replaced an external door
- Decorated throughout, including fitting new window sills, taking off woodchip wallpaper and foam ceiling tiles
- Plus assorted other stuff

Don't know how much we've saved, but it will be several thousand - and I've picked up skills that will be useful to me in future.

So please don't get too down - if your house had major structural problems, e.g. subsidence then that's another thing, but you can tackle most of the things you've mentioned yourself.

I_have_spoken

Just in case this does cause your relationship to break down, how are you placed with a pre-nup or contract which states how gains/losses will be divided on sale?

si1965

From what you have said the structure is fine and the location doesn't seem to be an issue?

To me they are the most important things, you can chuck all the money at a house but can't change its location.

I think there is alot of good advise on this thread, look on it as a bit of a project and enjoy making it your home.

The_Magnificent_Spoon

I_have_spoken wrote: »

Just in this does cause your relationship to break down, how are you placed with a pre-nup or contract which states how gains/losses will be divided on sale?

I think that's a bit premature. The OP has made no references to her falling out with her partner over any of this (although I hope she isn't like this with her partner, as although he may not admit to it, that sort of attitude to us guys is extremely demoralising)... And please god, do not do the hindsight thing with him - if it were me, it would wind me up something rotten. Its impossible to get it wrong after it's already happened, after all.

FYI, pre-nups are not enforceable under English (and Scottish) law. They are not worth the paper they're written on.

I believe if they are married, everything gets split 50%, and if they aren't, they have to prove what each person has paid into it. Which again, usually ends up a 50/50 split as its generally difficult to prove (unless just one person is paying for it). Nothing signed or otherwise will make a jot of difference unless one person knowingly gives up their entitlement.