Just bought my first house and regret it

Deep_Pearl

Hello all, first post on here but I'd like some advice.

Up until the weekend I'd been living in an as new rented property for a while (a three bed semi which I moved in to be closer to a new job), but the rent was high and after a while decided to put my good savings to use and get on the property ladder.

After a lot of disappointing viewings in houses that looked nice in pictures but not in reality, I started to feel desperate as properties seemed to dry up and prices were increasing. I found one that I thought looked half decent, another three bed semi but about 20 years old. I could see it wasn't perfect as there are ugly flats to the side, no en-suite and only one toilet but the house seemed tidy enough inside (even with a bit of modernising required) and came with a good sized and well kept garden, it was also conveniently close to work. I went back for a second viewing and after thinking I wouldn't find anything better for my budget, made an offer. After a some negotiating I secured the deal. From deal to completion I hadn't been nervous at all and was convinced I was doing the right thing.

Since I got the keys I feel I've made a terrible mistake. The previous owners left it dirty and I've realised there's more work needed than I imagined. The house is cold and drafty and in need of repainting really, the bathroom is tiny and dated, the rear UVPC doors are rickety and the seals need replacing, the second bedroom door doesn't close (although I'm sure it did during my viewings) and I don't fancy using the oven in the state it was left. I can't understand why I didn't really think about all this during the viewings, and the homebuyer's report wasn't much help. The house also smells strongly of perfume, deodorant and electric air freshener and it's getting up my nose literally.

I knew I'd have to compromise with my budget but I think I was too hasty, I'm feeling trapped in a house I don't think I'll ever like. Last night I woke up in the early hours feeling very down, the neighbour was banging around their house and the deodorant/air freshener smell was very irritating.

I'm thinking about getting a decorator in to make it look as fresh as possible, and I'd like new carpets and flooring, but I'm worried it'll be a waste of money and not add much value. I already want to move. It doesn't help that around the corner from my rented house, a similar one has appeared on the market at a price I could've just afforded.

All in all I miss the nearly new house I was living in, and am feeling very sick and down at the thought of living in this house. Sorry for the long post, just not sure what to do. Have you any advice?

libf

Sounds like you either need to roll your sleeves up and clean, or pay someone else to do it?

Eejay

I think you're just a bit overwhelmed - it's a lot of money to have spent and there is a long list of jobs that need doing. However, you will get through them one by one and the house will begin to feel more like it belongs to you than to the previous owner.

Where in the country are you?

Pixie5740

A lot of FTB have an "Oh my God! What have I done?!" moment when they get the keys and move in.

The first place I bought was filthy but after a few rounds of vacuuming and hiring a Rug Doctor the carpets looked better. Opening the windows to let some fresh air in got rid of the stale smell of smoke. Oven Mate did a great job of cleaning the grease from the oven.

I also bought an off-cut of vinyl flooring to lay in the kitchen and bought a few tins of paint to redecorate as the peach and mint green colour scheme just wasn't my cup of tea.

I wasn't worried about adding value. This was my home first and foremost, not an investment.

hohum

maybe this is just change, give yourself a bit of time to adjust. The good thing is all the things you describe that are not right with the house are cosmetic. Perhaps flip how you are looking at things. Owning is a different ball game to renting. The things you describe are really easily solved, or are temporary.

House is dirty - clean it, or pay someone else to clean it! Clean the oven.
Don't get on with heavy scent? open the window, and rest assured it will disperse eventually.
Look into schemes re improving your homes energy efficiency for free - cavity wall insulation, loft insulation. Easier cheaper measures are things like curtains.
Making the house into your home is not a waste of money. Did you buy the house as an investment or somewhere to live? You could also....paint the walls yourself!

It sounds to me like the problem is that it doesn't feel like your home yet. Fortunately, there's quite a lot you can do to change that and not necessarily by spending loads of money.

I personally would think it's a bit crazy to spend thousands on the associated costs of buying a house, only to move because it smelled funny and wasn't 'new'. You knew it wasn't new when you bought it. Why not enjoy the planning of how you're going to make it into your own preferred environment.

Hoploz

I would like to just reassure you that this is quite normal. After all the worry and stress and excitement there is a lull where you look around and think you've made a mistake and wish for your old place back.

You will get through this and come out the other side.

Roll up your sleeves and arm yourself with a bottle of Cif. Get someone in to clean the oven (£30-40)

Then think about a few tins of paint (£15 a tin) Choose your own favourite colours, get stuck in with the radio on and make the place feel like your own.

There will be little jobs that need doing. Ask around and find a handyman, give him a list and go out for the day!
I felt just like you, even thought I knew it was our dream forever home, the drains were blocked, the boiler failed three times in six weeks, nothing worked, the garden was overgrown with brambles. But after a few weeks I was back to normal and we are really happy!

ellie27

The previous owners left it dirty...........most folk would scrub the house anyway on moving in to make sure its clean.

The house i in need of repainting really...........an easy job and painting is one of the first things most folk do to stamp their own identity on the house.

The bathroom is tiny and dated...........you knew this when you bought it as you did view it.

The rear UVPC doors are rickety and the seals need replacing.............. probably doors just need re-alligned along the hinges - an easy job for someone to do. I would get my dad to do that kind of thing.

The second bedroom door doesn't close.........probably just needs one of the hinges tightened or something - again possibly a 10 min job for my dad as my sons room doesnt close either! (we moved into our new home 5 days ago and our list of niggles is endless!!)

I don't fancy using the oven in the state it was left......mr muscle oven cleaner is good, spray it on let it soak and it comes clean.

The house also smells strongly of perfume, deodorant and electric air freshener and it's getting up my nose literally..............open the windows for a few hours! The weather is beautiful out there!

The issues you have with your house are tiny and are DIY jobs really! Most folk would clean/paint/carpet/clean the oven/open the windows to air on moving in anyway.

If those are the only things wrong with the house then you have done fantastic!

I am wondering is there something else making you feel this way....perhaps its the area the house is in rather than the actual house?

Good luck

stator

Do you have any nice friends?
You could have a "paint party" where everyone helps you redecorate your house. That might make you feel better.
Of course the finish might not be fantastic

maninthestreet

A dirty house is easy to put right, as are the seals on a UPVC door.

HappyMJ

Repainting the property is one of the first things most people do...get rid of all that white and magnolia and put your own colour to it.

Lots of cleaning is involved..that's quite normal.

Yes...whilst you haven't fully settled in yet...change the carpet. It'll probably get rid of that smell too. Carpet needn't cost much just get the cheapest half reasonable stuff. It'll last 5 years or so.

You don't need a decorator you can do it all yourself. It's not that hard. Paint before you change the carpet though.

theEnd

Had exactly the same thing. 18 months of problems and effort. I think it's worth it in the end. Almost forget about the nights sleeping in dust listening to the rats under the floorboards <shudder>.

A good clean is a must anyway. Get stuck in whenever you get the time. Gloves on, scrub everything. I wore out a new mop!.

Then paint. As others have said, get some friends around with a few crates of beer.

Then it's much like getting used to a new rented flat. Make it feel like home, get used to the new noises around.

They'll be plenty to do. Make a list and work through it when you have time/money.