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

Thanetia

Old houses are great, as long as you have the mindset that there will always be something that needs doing. Budget for some replastering when you decorate as big lumps will typically fall out of the wall when you remove the seven existing layers of paper.

Get a survey done.
Don't panic about the number of high priority findings.
Have enough in reserve to prioritise and fix the big problems.
Speak to your neighbours in other 30's houses to get recommended tradesmen who understand an older house.

Good luck!

antilles

Thanks for the advice everyone, appreciated! Going back for a second viewing later this week. Will definitely get a detailed survey if I put an offer in and will set aside some cash for essential repairs.

fishpond

It was built in the 30's, it is therefore unlikely to fall down soon, unlike some new builds.
They were built to last.
Of course it will need some work to bring it up to speed.
Personally I love 1930's houses, each one is individual and must be treated as such.
Get a full survey done to make sure the building is not in imminent danger of collapse.
Move in and either DIY or use tradesmen and supervise.
Enjoy.
If the ceilings are unsightly, get them reboarded and replastered, a decent plasterer should easily do one large room in a day.

seven-day-weekend

Our bungalow is 1930s. It has solid walls ands we have had it rewired, replumbed and replastered and we have also had to repair/renew the floors. (suspended with a large cavity underneath). However it has lovely big windows, a large garden and is surrounded by other bungalows so not overlooked at all.

Were moved into it this year and have never regretted it, although we lived in a Victorian terrace for nearly 40 years.

silvercar

We have a 1930s house.

Solid floors and solid walls. The internal walls are sturdy and block sound between rooms far better than modern houses.

lisa110rry

Hear, hear, silvercar (regarding blocked sound). We still have four fireplaces in our home (the fifth was removed when the wash house was incorporated into the kitchen) and to speak to someone upstairs from downstairs is easy - you just talk into the appropriate fireplace. However to speak to someone on the same floor is almost impossible unless you are actually in the room with them.

Chanes

Get a building survey and rule out the big problems. I love new builds after dreadful experiences with older property. I would not buy over 25 years old but if you love that house, I wish you good luck and a cheap purchase.

Old_Git

Te first house I bought was built in 1931.
The walls where 9" brick with no cavity .
The origional wooden floors on the ground floor had been replaced with solid flooring . The roof had no felt under the slates .

FBaby

Totally agree about the noise. Lived in a 30's house for 10 years then moved to one built in the 70s and can't believe how we hear every little noise one room from another. Worse is daughter's bedroom on top of living room. She just has to move in her bed and we can hear. I do miss my old thick walls!