Buying a 1930's detached house - pros and cons?

antilles

Hi everyone

I'm looking at buying a detached house. I've looked almost exclusively at new builds but I've come across a 1930s house. Viewed it yesterday and it seemed really nice and unusual. So I was wondering has anyone bought/sold/lived in one of these type of properties?

It seems a reasonable size except for the kitchen which is tiny but I think I can live with that for the time being.

I'm looking at arranging a second viewing, but was wondering if there was anything I should check, any pitfalls to look out for?

It definitely needs a bit of minor modernisation, mostly just decoration and cleaning up. I did notice a few long cracks in the lounge ceiling (running in a few different directions), so I assume the plaster may be blown and a new ceiling may be needed at some point. I have replaced a ceiling myself in a 1970s house but I assume it is more involved in a 1930s house.

It also looks like the vendor has painted over some patches on the ceilings in a couple of rooms, presumably to hide minor damp due to condensation (or possibly something worse).

It has 2 fireplaces, which look original.

I plan to get a detailed survey whatever I decide, but appreciate any advice anyone can offer!

AnnieO1234

I would say the principle con would be whatever reasons you had to be looking at new builds in the first place! (I'm pro new builds personally when they're with the right developer at least.)

Is it leasehold? The chances are what you're saying as a "bit" of decorating and "minor modernisation" might end up being a project that ideally would be done by gutting the entire house while living elsewhere.

What is it that attracts you to it? Is it below budget? Is it detached where you're budget wouldn't otherwise be?

It seems like quite a curve ball for you to have gone from new builds to this one IMHO xxx

FreeBear

Check the walls - Chances are, the ground floor is a cavity wall with the upper half being solid brick. Nothing wrong with this, but it will cost more to heat.

Cracks in the ceiling is to be expected for old plaster/lath construction - Replacing it will be a messy job, and you might want to check with the local planning department to see if building control needs to be informed (in the back of my mind, I have a feeling if more than 25% of the ceiling is replaced, building control needs to be involved).

If you go down the route of doing messy jobs like replastering a ceiling, you might also want to look at putting insulation in the floors - Chances are, it will be a suspended wooden floor on the ground level and drafty.

I'm living in a 1930 build semi that is in need of a bit of renovation - Some of it is going to be messy work thanks to the lime plaster on the ceilings & walls.

antilles

AnnieO1234 wrote: »

I would say the principle con would be whatever reasons you had to be looking at new builds in the first place! (I'm pro new builds personally when they're with the right developer at least.)

Is it leasehold? The chances are what you're saying as a "bit" of decorating and "minor modernisation" might end up being a project that ideally would be done by gutting the entire house while living elsewhere.

What is it that attracts you to it? Is it below budget? Is it detached where you're budget wouldn't otherwise be?

It seems like quite a curve ball for you to have gone from new builds to this one IMHO xxx

Hi, I've only really been looking at new builds because they are in my price range. However I've upped my price limit recently after a big pay rise at work and this has fallen into my range, just As I say it does need some work but it only looks like painting to me, the kitchen probably needs replacing in a couple of years but it's OK for now. I renovated my last house so nothing is jumping out at me as needing major work...however like I say I've not looked at one of these before so am worried I may be missing something!

Oh it's freehold too

Lily-Rose_3

I would get a good survey on it to make sure nothing major needs doing, like underpinning or similar, but I would go for a 1930s house over a new build any day of the week.

Good luck, and I wish you well, and much happiness in your new home!

Hedgehog99

Some of the pros hopefully include nice high ceilings, picture rails (saves holes in the wall) & possibly a high loft suitable for a loft extension?

When re-decorating, beware of old lead paint layers.

Check what's underneath the house - the one I lived in had space deep enough to -belly-crawl under the house. Floors seemed warmer than concrete floors.

Curtains might cost you more, but you get bigger windows.

Butti

We do lots of new builds at work and everyone I work with prefers older properties because of the light and space.

Have a good look round.
State of the roof?
Signs of wood worm?
Cracks - any diagonal or any that you can slot £1 coin in are worries.
Damp is okay as long as you can establish the cause and are happy you can deal with it.

Get a good survey and if anything comes up from that give the surveyor a ring. Quite often they hint at things but don't spell it out. I ask "In my shoes would you buy it?"

kinger101

antilles wrote: »

It has 2 fireplaces, which look original.

If these are open fires, they're not particularly efficient. Most of the heat goes straight up the chimney. But they're nice to use occasionally.

Davesnave

A 1930s house may not be original in some of its surface parts, so you may find that even the cracked ceiling is plasterboard. Some or all of the walls might need remedial plasterwork, especially if they are papered. Anaglypta hides a multitude of sins!

There's no reason to suppose that it will be one form of construction than another, but full cavity walls were common and features like bay windows could be single skin + dry line. These might also be complemented by breeze block inner walls rather than lath & plaster. In respect of the outer walls, the galvanised ties might be coming to the end of their lives, but these can be replaced.

In respect of the roof timbers, you might see woodworm holes, but if the house has been sold in recent times, these will have been treated, and in any event, woodworm don't like old, dry wood. Instead, look for signs of sagging or the roof spreading out at the soffits, where it joins the walls.

Also look at the tiles, and if they're clay, they may be on their way out. I was always grateful to Hitler for blowing our roof off, as our tiles were concrete, unlike most others in the close!

Davesnave

kinger101 wrote: »

If these are open fires, they're not particularly efficient. Most of the heat goes straight up the chimney. But they're nice to use occasionally.

They are very good to stick an efficient gas-coal fire in though!

Personally, I hate the 'orrible beige-tiled things, and have cheerfully demolished them, replacing with something more tasteful, or nothing except an air inlet in bedrooms, where they were still common.

Missus_Hyde

We have a 1930's semi and I would always opt for an older house over a new build every time. I would expect to have to do some work on an older house, but that wouldn't necessarily put me off.

FreeBear wrote: »

I'm living in a 1930 build semi that is in need of a bit of renovation - Some of it is going to be messy work thanks to the lime plaster on the ceilings & walls.

Our walls were all covered in distemper; very messy and time consuming to remove!