Crack outside house. Should I place offer?

armchaireconomist

Chimney removed, made open plan inside, nearby trees recently removed & subsequent crack on exterior. Personally wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Too many question marks hanging above it.

stator

armchaireconomist wrote: »

Chimney removed, made open plan inside, nearby trees recently removed & subsequent crack on exterior. Personally wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Too many question marks hanging above it.

Not sure how you can say the chimney has been removed

Doozergirl

armchaireconomist wrote: »

Chimney removed, made open plan inside, nearby trees recently removed & subsequent crack on exterior. Personally wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Too many question marks hanging above it.

Someone's already pointed out that other houses have the same layout and that the chimney breasts slap bang in the middle of the large lounge strongly points to it not having been opened up. The fireplace looks to be working as well so it's connected top and bottom.

[Removed]

I understand that the general public don't understand buildings. But why make observations without even looking properly?

Cakeguts

Doozergirl wrote: »

Someone's already pointed out that other houses have the same layout and that the chimney breasts slap bang in the middle of the large lounge strongly points to it not having been opened up. The fireplace looks to be working as well so it's connected top and bottom.

[Removed]
I understand that the general public don't understand buildings. But why make observations without even looking properly?

What I will say about this one [Removed] is that the floor plans show the chimney breast going up through the house as well as the fire place in the living room. I looked at the floor plans of the one the OP is looking at and the chimney is not marked at all on those plans. So without looking at the actual house it would be very difficult to tell if there are any flues anywhere else in the house.

Cakeguts

[Removed] This house was marketed for about 15k less than the one that the OP is looking at. Apart from some cosmetic differences I would prefer the one that was 15k less because it has room for a garage (there is one there already) and the conservatory on the back of the house seems to me to be a much more useful room than the strange extension on the back of the one that the OP is looking at.

You can make a lot of cosmetic changes to a house for 15k and we don't even know if the house was sold for the asking price.

So I would say that as well as needing a structural engineer's report the house that the OP is looking at is at least 15k overpriced.

robatwork

OP does seem surprisingly green about house buying seeing as he's about to shell out half a million quid. That implies, as he says he's been saving hard and this is his first, an extremely well paid job, which implies someone not so green.

Should take someone with him who at least has bought before and he can trust ie. NOT someone he has paid or who stands to be paid by the crack being good/bad. A friend/family member for instance.

EddyBaloch

Cakeguts wrote: »

There is a wall missing in the kitchen of that house and in the living room. The living dining room goes all the way across the back of the house. The dining room leads to that bit on the back with the plastic roof. The kitchen is also open plan so what is supporting the chimney and the wall above the open plan kitchen ceiling?

Thanks for responding. The ground floor is bigger than the first floor. The chimney is coming straight down. I also looked at similar house down the road and it has the exact same layout. I have also inquired and it has not been modified.

EddyBaloch

jimbog wrote: »

Why waste money for a survey - this house is pants. Wait for the right one to come along

Can you please elaborate why you think this way? It seems in a nice neighborhood with easy access to train station.

EddyBaloch

Gorecki wrote: »

I'm surprised at this reaction, I think I've expressed myself poorly...
I also didn't think I was providing any categorical advice other than suggesting (to a new buyer), if they did go ahead to check with the sellers why a 2 story tree directly beside the exterior wall has been removed and has it affected anything, surely that's sensible?

I can't thank you enough for your google images and your insights. I will keep your tips in my mind. I know I might sound very dumb with this. I actually have been looking around for past 3 months but those houses were in immaculate condition (lost on two houses). I always thought that I would get the most comprehensive survey that would give me peace of mind once I selected the property. I will do the same with this one.

I do not have even a single friend or family member who has got any clue of house. Even at work, my department is full of young people who are renting flats and all seniors are foreigners. Therefore it has been an extremely difficult process.

As suggested my fellow members, I will bring a structural engineer to do a viewing with me later this week before I make any decisions.

EddyBaloch

Doozergirl wrote: »

I hate typing a long reply and losing it.

It could be more, hence it is absolutely worth looking at and the OP is following the right course.

Thank you so much for your insights. I will do what people have suggested and get a structural engineer with me for viewing. That is the best way.

As I was explaining to another member, I know I sound dumb about houses and that's because I have got not a single friend or family member who owns a house in UK. However, I will get a most comprehensive survey done anyways which should help.

So far the agent has confirmed
- No insurance claims against the house/ subsistence issues
- Chimney in original place
- Crack is rendering (I will confirm through my own structural engineer)

I want to ask you one more thing. There are a couple of trees in the back garden.
[Removed] One large about 70 feet and the other about 30 feet from the house.
Do you have any advice for this?