Finding a better house?!

spadoosh

In a bit of a catch 22 and wondering if anyone has any ideas.

We're wanting to move to a 'better' house. Our idea of better is a bit more land, maybe a garage, a bit more space.

The problem is looking around i cant see anything that much better.

We're currently in an ex council house, mortgage £80k, value, i suspect, about £125k although i think we bought cheap which reflects badly on the likes of zoopla (£116k). Wed be looking at £160k mortgage and house value around £200k.

The problem is i cant see a single house that would justify doubling our mortgage for. They might have a garage, or a dining room, some even have both. But we would generally be sacrificing land. The area we are in certifiably isnt a bad one, and the higher priced houses arent really in that much better areas.

Is there that much of a premium for non ex council houses?

It just seems like we would be paying a lot for non-council (i personally like council houses, rock solid but ceiling is around £150k), a dining room, garage whilst losing out on garden space.

Am i being unrealistic?

Roughly how much premium should i expect for those extras?

I can find suitable houses further afield but we'd ideally like to stay within the same area (5 miles).

Whilst i applaud myself for buying such a good house as a FTB, cant help but think its restricting us. Suppose its a good problem to have.

Grenage

spadoosh wrote: »

The problem is i cant see a single house that would justify doubling our mortgage for. They might have a garage, or a dining room, some even have both. But we would generally be sacrificing land. The area we are in certifiably isnt a bad one, and the higher priced houses arent really in that much better areas.

spadoosh wrote: »

Is there that much of a premium for non ex council houses?

Alas, this is always the case; I speak from experience, moving from a 3-bed ex-council terrace, to a 1905 3-bed semi. The house sale price was 185 - the house purchase price was a little over 335.

What did we gain? A garage, a garden that was a bit bigger (but not big), higher ceilings, and a better postcode.

Was it worth it? Yes, to us. Unfortunately there is generally a large difference in price between an ex-council house and the 'next step up'. For many people, it's not worth it.

All you can really do is keep looking until you find a house that is worth it to you.

spadoosh

I think thats the problem, as someone who has no issue with ex-council houses i cant see a difference in value.

A friend has bought a new build, tiny garden, smaller rooms, has the benefit of perfect plaster and cheaper energy bills (guessing theres some guarantees in place). Paid £95k for the privilege. Im like :eek:

Need to adjust thinking. Thanks for the response.

Grenage

Like you, I had no issue with the house being ex-council; it was built like a tank and cost very little to run; neighbours were fine.

You may well come across an ex-council house with a large garden; then you'll be on to a winner.

Bossypants

Sometimes it's just a case of having to be patient until the right place comes along. There have been several times when I have been wanting to move but nothing that I found interesting has been on and I've had to wait for the one property that does interest me to appear. So far they always have, but at times it has taken a while, so if you're not in a hurry I'd just set the RM notifications and settle in for the wait.

hufc2002

I completely see what you are saying as we are in a very similar position.


We live in a 3 bed ex council house (originally 2 and converted) and the 3rd bedroom is a shoe box so won't be ideal as our 2 year old grows.


Moving to a bigger 3 bed (semi/detached) will also double our mortgage when all we want really is a little bit more space/bigger kitchen etc.


There are also only several streets in our area where we would want to move to which restricts us further.

spadoosh

Saw something about a year ago which looked amazing. I like to look occasionally and when i saw it, knew it wouldnt last long, massively under priced (although quite a quirky house) so didnt even bother with a viewing as the plan was to sell in about 2018 and wasnt in a good position as a buyer. Sold in 3 days.

Its preferences as well, like i say a bit further afield and i can see much better value (to us) but we've moved family closer so can offer care more easily. Moving away would be a horrible thing to do.

Just trying to have all the cake!

Jamiesmum

Sometimes it's nice just to be happy with what you've got.

It's hard, we all want bigger and better more expensive etc. From phones to cars to holidays and so on.

As it stands, you seem ok with your house, It's not ideal for the size (?) but if it works maybe just leave it be for now. Build a porch and/or a conservatory. Change the windows. Get a car port instead of a garage. Even an extension and if you don't want to lose to much land then how about just a downstairs bathroom and utility room?

Do you have any room at the side to extend or maybe you could do a loft conversion.

Lots of options. It's down to you and what you deem worth it at the end of it but if you are stuttering now I feel maybe you'll throw yourself at the next half suitable house but live to regret it.

ReadingTim

spadoosh wrote: »

Is there that much of a premium for non ex council houses?

It just seems like we would be paying a lot for non-council (i personally like council houses, rock solid but ceiling is around £150k), a dining room, garage whilst losing out on garden space.

You're focusing on the house itself. The real problem with ex-council houses is that they're usually located in areas known for containing council houses, are ex-council houses surrounded by other ex-council houses, and a fair amount of still-council houses. With council tenants in them. That's the reason for the ceiling, rather than the specific individual house itself. Apart from a catchy name based on word repetition, why do you think there's a property show called 'Location, location, location'?!?

spadoosh wrote: »

I can find suitable houses further afield but we'd ideally like to stay within the same area (5 miles).

If you like the location, and can't find anything that's worth the additional amount to you (irrespective of what the market says), then do probably don't need to move. Enjoy!

spadoosh

Jamiesmum wrote: »

Sometimes it's nice just to be happy with what you've got.

It's hard, we all want bigger and better more expensive etc. From phones to cars to holidays and so on.

As it stands, you seem ok with your house, It's not ideal for the size (?) but if it works maybe just leave it be for now. Build a porch and/or a conservatory. Change the windows. Get a car port instead of a garage. Even an extension and if you don't want to lose to much land then how about just a downstairs bathroom and utility room?

Do you have any room at the side to extend or maybe you could do a loft conversion.

Lots of options. It's down to you and what you deem worth it at the end of it but if you are stuttering now I feel maybe you'll throw yourself at the next half suitable house but live to regret it.

Chose that house because i anticipate we could live it in forever if needed. Confident we still could. Quite pragmatic that way.

Theres lots that can be done to the house, from single story extension to loft conversions etc. I used to live in the same house on another street (parents) and it had been extended to 5 bed, with dining room. (ours is 3 bed, no dining room)

No side space so no options there (garage/car port). Id like a workshop so the side space isnt so much an issue, it could easily be soemthing in the back garden.

Things certainly arent needed. That why im hesitant to change the house for our 'needs'. No point in tailoring the house for our wants when someone could utilise it as it is or alter it to suit their needs.

Its a fine balance in compromises but seeing as i see the current house as having few compromises i wouldnt expect i wouldnt rush in to things.

spadoosh

ReadingTim wrote: »

You're focusing on the house itself. The real problem with ex-council houses is that they're usually located in areas known for containing council houses, are ex-council houses surrounded by other ex-council houses, and a fair amount of still-council houses. With council tenants in them. That's the reason for the ceiling, rather than the specific individual house itself. Apart from a catchy name based on word repetition, why do you think there's a property show called 'Location, location, location'?!?



If you like the location, and can't find anything that's worth the additional amount to you (irrespective of what the market says), then do probably don't need to move. Enjoy!

Understand what youre saying but the entire area is quite mixed, new build estates have local authority on them. £million houses have council estates less than a minute or two walk away, my house is within 500m of £500,000k houses. I know the area very well. And the majority of non ex council houses in my price range are in or very close to much worse areas than the one im in.

The further away (more remote, something we'd look for) and the value starts to drop again. Its baffling.

Im not unhappy with the house or where im at just struggling with the fact that we can afford much more (twice as much) and cant find much better.