We found the house we r buying is ex-council just a week before exchange. What to do?

Brown_Eyed_Girl

I don't get the issue with ex council. My friend bought one and she was saying they tend to be looked after better than some private cause they have to make sure they have regular maintenance. Also tend to have a ton more storage. Honestly the amount of flats I've seen with nowhere to put things.

If you like it and you're happy with the price you've paid then it's worth thinking if it's worth the risk. As for resale. Birmingham is supposed to be one of the cities that has seen growth in house prices comparable to London - where it would be snapped up partly because it's ex council.

sofarbehind

I wouldn't be worried, I think there'll always be a lot demand for Harborne, it's a great place. I couldn't find much within my budget when I looked but would've happily considered ex council in that area. I ended up looking in Bearwood as a cheaper alternative but I wasn't sure about it.

Davesnave

Areas like Harborne have some very expensive streets and others closer to the average, but overall it's a desirable part of the city and I doubt if that will change in the forseeable future.

I honestly didn't think that you were talking about an area like Moseley or Harborne. Like another poster, I was thinking perhaps Longbridge or Northfield.

remembermee

There's nothing wrong with Northfield! I live there and it's not rough at all. Actually where I am we over look the farm land.

LittleMax

I can't think of anywhere in Harborne that I wouldn't consider buying. I would be a bit more selective in surrounding areas. Harborne is a great area and very popular. I don't think you will have a problem.

remembermee

Yes, Harborne is desirable and has been for as long as I've been alive. You will have no problems selling with a Harborne postcode.

Davesnave

remembermee wrote: »

There's nothing wrong with Northfield! I live there and it's not rough at all. Actually where I am we over look the farm land.

I'm not slaggng-off Northfield, honest!

A few years ago, I saw a few run-down streets in the general area between Northfield and Longbridge, but with the money that's gone in there recently, I imagine that it's on the up as well now.

But looking over farm land isn't a measure of respectability. Some of the worst roads where I use to live have lovely rural views.

remembermee

Davesnave wrote: »

I'm not slaggng-off Northfield, honest!

A few years ago, I saw a few run-down streets in the general area between Northfield and Longbridge, but with the money that's gone in there recently, I imagine that it's on the up as well now.

But looking over farm land isn't a measure of respectability. Some of the worst roads where I use to live have lovely rural views.

Very true - I was just thinking about our lovely house in a very pleasant area and we love the views so that comment went down without much thought.

There are some rough places in Northfield, as with most areas in Birmingham. You select your house carefully though and with the laws of probability in mind ... i.e crime rates etc. I grew up on a council estate in Quinton (Woodgate Valley) - beautiful views (there I go again!) but we got burgled twice and our neighbour's children were growing up and proving antisocial. Then we moved to a big posh house in Great Park and got burgled once which, due to the inconvenience of access for a burglar, was probably bad luck.

Like you say, with both Northfield and Longbridge having a lot of money spent on them I think things can only improve in those less good areas.

As a side note - did you know that the M&S in Lonngbridge is going to be the biggest one outside London!!

remembermee

P.S Plus there's going ot be M&S food and a TKmaxx in Selly Oak!! :j I'm very chuffed about TKMaxx (my hubby isn't, though lol).

This is all useful information for the OP too as Harborne is just up the road

jolester

Harborne Park Road was closed this morning due to an accident - must have been all the council estate kids bombing round in their Saxo's !