Bowed UPVC windows

witchy1066

sound to me like they have had a leak under the bath and its sinking into the floor could be the floorboards have rotten,

bowing windows does sound like the lintel is not supported as another poster said , you would not only need to have replacement windows but supports put in, this could be costly

definitely get these checked out before you make a decision ,

koneko

Thanks witchy, I had the same thought about it maybe being caused by the bath.

So many people have just said to walk away, however this is a nice sized property in a good location. Its going to get sold as the owner is relocating, so in my mind, as long as we know what the cost of any repairs will be and can put in the relevant offer - this could work in our favour as it may put off other buyers.

Maybe I have a different outlook on these things as my parents have always had properties that needed love and done them up. Their current place had dry rot right through the extension that required everything stripping out and starting again apart from the outside walls of the extension. Their house is beautiful now and worth a lot more than what they paid & the cost to repair combined as they knocked the price right down due to the problems.

witchy1066

Koneko

you have the right attitude

you will find very few houses around that do not need work of some kind , that is why its always wise to get the right surveys done at the start,
you can then at least make an informed decision

I come from a family of builders, my 5 brothers are all in the building trade in one way or another,

they are always saying to me " nowt that can't be fixed"

then in the next breath "at a cost"

hope it works out for you and the cost isn't too much

hazyjo

Just sounds like it's cheaper for good reason. Personally, I would consider a smaller house or a different location.

Are there loads of things you'd be interested in above your budget? My guess is yes and that your budget just can't stretch to what you actually want.

You may find a project in your budget, but I'm finding that most around my way would only be worth the same as the other 'done' houses once the work's done. If you have the money to fund any work, great. You'll have a lower mortgage. If you don't have the dosh, you might be better with a longer term on the mortgage, or a higher amount (if affordable!) to get what you want now that doesn't need so much doing.

Jx

DRP

Bowed windows must look scary but if your really like the place then it might be worth paying a proffesional to go and have a l;ook at it.

Also, is it the 'worst' house in a good street? If so it would be worth spending some cash on... you would end up with a lovely home that is worth the investment!

koneko

The property is on for a bit above our set budget (we could borrow more, we just don't want to), however due to the issues it has, we think we may be able to achieve a lower price that does fall at the top end of our budget.

There are plenty of properties available for within our budget that would be 'ok', but nothing that has stood out.

There are some lovely properties in the street as we have had a good wander (and a look on rightmove history). I actually don't like the current windows at all (single pane ugly things with an awning type opening - bottom goes out and hinges at the top), so wouldn't actually mind having a reason to need to change them. Some of the neighbours have lovely multi paned windows which look nicer and would suit us better.

The buyer is selling in a hurry due to relocation, so there are some cosmetic things that could easily be done to smarten the place up. Whilst we don't have the cash right now for improvements, once we aren't saving each month for a mortgage deposit, it would not take us long to save an 'improvements pot'.

xoAmyox

koneko wrote: »

The property is on for a bit above our set budget (we could borrow more, we just don't want to), however due to the issues it has, we think we may be able to achieve a lower price that does fall at the top end of our budget.

There are plenty of properties available for within our budget that would be 'ok', but nothing that has stood out.

There are some lovely properties in the street as we have had a good wander (and a look on rightmove history). I actually don't like the current windows at all (single pane ugly things with an awning type opening - bottom goes out and hinges at the top), so wouldn't actually mind having a reason to need to change them. Some of the neighbours have lovely multi paned windows which look nicer and would suit us better.

The buyer is selling in a hurry due to relocation, so there are some cosmetic things that could easily be done to smarten the place up. Whilst we don't have the cash right now for improvements, once we aren't saving each month for a mortgage deposit, it would not take us long to save an 'improvements pot'.

So long as you get the potential works fully assessed (so no unexpected surprises!) , then you seem to be going into the purchase with a level head and a good idea of how you will work on the property.

I hope it all goes well and that you update the thread with progress/findings

martinsurrey

I'd be surprised if it was structural with the house, without some obvious defects in the brick/blockwork above or around the windows.

The amount of movement required to make a window appear visibly bent would shatter a brick or the mortar joints.

Could it be windows that didn’t have an expansion gap fitted (so tight to the brick work), years of heat expansion and contraction against the solid walls could damage the window units, without damaging the structure of the house.

Get someone to look at it, but from what you’ve said, I wouldn’t back out just yet.

koneko

Just by way of an update. We went in with an offer subject to survey, negotiated back and forth a bit and after a bit of thought, increased our offer to meet what the seller said he would take. He then proceeded to think about it for a couple of days and then ended up taking another offer, that even the EA didn't seem to know about!