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FTB needs advice re potential issues with a house

Hi all,

I have been and viewed a house that I really like and it's within my budget. It has got enough space, garage, big kitchen, pantry etc. Basically on the surface ticks all my boxes BUT the house was previously owned by an older lady and after the 1st viewing I asked a no of questions of the estate agent and am not sure if I should be concerned with the 2 answers below?

1. How old ago were the double glazed windows installed? 1987
2. When was the house last rewired? The lay can;t remember but it would have been in the last 20-30 years.

As an aside..would it be expensive to put in additional electric sockets as the house does not have many of them in?

Thanks in advance :)

Comments

  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 48,702 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper
    Seems reasonable and honest answers, after all you aren't buying a new build.
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  • ana8
    ana8 Posts: 64 Forumite
    Thanks, is either one of those things something I should be concerned about? I.e. when would I be expected to replace the windows or rewire the house?
  • Usually the condition of the house is reflected in the price. If it is an older house then it would not necessarily have been rewired or had new windows. You cannot really expect that in a house which is 30 years old unless it has been recently renovated and the price would generally reflect this. Is it expensive for the street? You can get someone in to check the electrics and quote for a rewire if it needs one but you may need to pay for that but if they are asking top whack for the house it may give you some ammunition to get the price down a bit.
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  • ana8
    ana8 Posts: 64 Forumite
    No I wouldnt say it's expensive for the street. But just wanted to know where to pitch my house expectations at if that makes sense.
  • suse*
    suse* Posts: 303 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Are any of the windows misted up? Did you get an eletrical survey done as part of the house survey? The only think I would want is a modern fuse box with circuit breakers in, but apart from that do you think there is anything wrong with the wiring? Just as a house is old doesn't mean the eletrics don't work or are in any way dangerous. If you're really worried pay the extra for an electrical survey, but just as a house is old doesn't mean you will be guarenteed to reduce the asking price because of something like that.

    I'd be more interested in how old the heating was, and how good the roof was, than the wiring I think.
    [STRIKE]Original Mortgage 07/07 £160000 LTV 100% [/STRIKE]Remortgaged 10/13 £118000 LTV 84%
    Outstanding 02/12/14 £107652.40
    LTV 76%
  • stator
    stator Posts: 7,441 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Pay for a proper electrical and gas check from a qualified engineer. They will give you good advice. Go back for a second viewing and check the windows yourself. Are they all fully working and solid? Are any of them misted up?
    Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.
  • ACG
    ACG Posts: 24,247 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've helped Parliament
    Im no electrician but im not sure I would be looking to add sockets to a house that was rewired 20-30 years ago.

    When i bought my house (2 years ago) I spent £1600 getting it rewired and that was calling in a favour. I would expect to spend £2,500-3000 getting it rewired if I were you.

    Were they doing double glazing 27 years ago? I would be surprised if they did not need replacing either - best to do these jobs before decorating/carpeting if you can. No idea how much doubel glazing costs, thats next on my list.

    A rewire makes a complete mess of the entire house and is pretty invasive so I would get that done before moving in if at all possible.
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