Would you buy a timber framed house?

Legacy_user

1985 timber house...

Or a 1950 masonry house...


I have read that timber houses have a shorter lifespan and once damp gets into the frame, it can be extremely expensive to repair

lewishardwick

I'd personally go for the 1960's build. When looking through the lending criteria for my mortgage (Halifax) they didn't seem too keen on timber framed, especially if the frame could not be inspected (cavity filled with foam etc).

System

The HR for the timber framed one also says

Evidence of previous damp penetration to the valley gutter internally to
the rear of the house...

bod1467

Taking the thread title at face value ... I did, 19 years ago. The difference is that mine was a new-build.

Mortgage provider was Halifax as it happens, and they expressed no concerns regarding the construction type.

hazyjo

I recently saw one for sale with a warning on its RM listing saying:


because of the construction, prospective purchasers MUST check with their bank or mortgage broker to make sure that they can get a mortgage BEFORE viewing


So be careful. They would probably be harder to sell/borrow on in a falling market/recession. It was MUCH cheaper than similar properties.


Jx

phoebe1989seb

We did. It was several hundred years old though (Tudor).

We weren't getting a mortgage, although when we sold our buyers were and they had no issues.

Personally I wouldn't touch a new(ish) build with a bargepole unless it was a bespoke design.

brodawel

I wouldn't buy a 1985 timber framed house but I would buy a newish built one if I had to, although it would have to be wonderful to win me over.

MortgageMamma

I live in a timber framed house that was built in 1785. The original frame is still in place and its a four storey property. Timber frames are fairly common, the only issue you may have is the lender insisting on a more indepth survey, there could be issue with woodworm and rot but not always the case, and of course finding the right lender to start with.


Its your decision but perhaps read up on timber framed houses first. I absolutely love my home with all the exposed beams and its creaky floorboards but its not for everyone!

sheramber

We lived in a timber framed house for many years. We had no problem getting a mortgage nor did the people we sold to. They are common in Scotland.

However, the cavity in a timber framed house should never be filled as that could cause rotting. Having cavity wall insulation in a timber frame will cause problems getting a mortgage.

dragonsoup

Having seen the disaster that was a new build timber framed house bought by friends in 1983 I would never go for one. Are they still even being built? All sites I've seen recently use breeze blocks.

Now a Tudor timber framed house and I'd have my cheque book out there and then!

System

dragonsoup wrote: »

Having seen the disaster that was a new build timber framed house bought by friends in 1983 I would never go for one. Are they still even being built? All sites I've seen recently use breeze blocks.

Now a Tudor timber framed house and I'd have my cheque book out there and then!

What was the disaster?