The Nice People Thread, No.16: A Universe of Niceness.

PasturesNew

LydiaJ wrote: »

They're 4-bedroom family houses...

We'd all like one of those because when you take out the wording it just means: House with a decent sized living room, probably a utility, a proper driveway and a garage.

Unfortunately .... to buy one "like mine, but 4 beds with all that" would cost more

Looking on RM, including those already sold - and skipping past those on the "council estate with the bad reputation", 4 bed detached, modern/no work essential the three cheapest are: £355k, £370k, £400k.

Even if I'd just moved 35 yards down the road and bought one in the new dev that's "just like mine" but brand new is £275k.

Years ago, more houses were built "the same sort" - these days they seem to want to mix people up a bit .... which doesn't really work well for anybody as you end up living alongside "people who aren't a bit like me".

The original PP for next door included some flats; that was rejected, so it's just 2- and 3-bed houses. I'm surprised anybody bought the 3-bed detached really as you can get so much better/more for the money, except not "brand new".... but "immaculate/almost new" would be achievable giving a "better house, garden etc".

LydiaJ

PasturesNew wrote: »

We'd all like one of those because when you take out the wording it just means: House with a decent sized living room, probably a utility, a proper driveway and a garage.

Unfortunately .... to buy one "like mine, but 4 beds with all that" would cost more

Yes, I've got all that. And it cost way more than I would ever have been able to afford if it hadn't been for the life insurance and the fatal accident compensation.

silvercar

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've had a letter to my mum and dad .....

Having put in for PP I'm getting the usual letters from builders telling how great they are - and one was written to Mr & Mrs PasturesNew.

Beware of builders who have so much time free that they can chase PP applicants. A good builder is a busy one.

PasturesNew

silvercar wrote: »

Beware of builders who have so much time free that they can chase PP applicants. A good builder is a busy one.

I will be getting the architect to suggest people in the first instance; hoping that'll be enough.

PasturesNew

I've got the patio doors open and for about 10 minutes there's been a really strong smell of something like paint thinners. No point stepping outside to see where it's coming from as you can't see anything with such high fences everywhere.

Chap 3 doors down's had his motorbike out for a run, wonder if he's cleaning something.....

I'll never know though...

Peeked out of the bedroom window ...really far out and I can see his shed door's open, so I bet that's it.

chris_m

PasturesNew wrote: »

No point stepping outside to see where it's coming from as you can't see anything with such high fences everywhere.

You need a periscope - or a drone :rotfl:

michaels

PasturesNew wrote: »

We'd all like one of those because when you take out the wording it just means: House with a decent sized living room, probably a utility, a proper driveway and a garage.

Unfortunately .... to buy one "like mine, but 4 beds with all that" would cost more

Looking on RM, including those already sold - and skipping past those on the "council estate with the bad reputation", 4 bed detached, modern/no work essential the three cheapest are: £355k, £370k, £400k.

Even if I'd just moved 35 yards down the road and bought one in the new dev that's "just like mine" but brand new is £275k.

Years ago, more houses were built "the same sort" - these days they seem to want to mix people up a bit .... which doesn't really work well for anybody as you end up living alongside "people who aren't a bit like me".

The original PP for next door included some flats; that was rejected, so it's just 2- and 3-bed houses. I'm surprised anybody bought the 3-bed detached really as you can get so much better/more for the money, except not "brand new".... but "immaculate/almost new" would be achievable giving a "better house, garden etc".

I can not understand the premium people are willing to pay for 'new' or 'just refurb' properties.

On our road there are houses asking about 650k that are not selling and one that was refurbed and flipped asking 750 that sold in 2 weeks - you could easily turn the 650k house into the 750k house by spending 40k or less - does not compute.

Then again currently the costs of moving are so great that you need to want to make a huge change up or down the ladder before it becomes cheaper to move than to remodel/extend your current house.

PasturesNew

michaels wrote: »

Then again currently the costs of moving are so great that you need to want to make a huge change up or down the ladder before it becomes cheaper to move than to remodel/extend your current house.

I have a small lump sum to "park". My choices were to move, or to do something to this one.... as the small lump sum is "small" moving didn't make sense as I figured that I'd just buy another house, still with issues and most of the money gobbled up in costs. It wouldn't give me access to "the next level of house quality/amenity". Just "a different house of the same quality ... and maybe an extra amenity this one's not got".

That's why I decided to just "make the most of what you've got" just as a way of "parking" a few bob.

The new one like mine at £275k is now 2nd hand as they've slept in it

Pyxis

PasturesNew wrote: »

I

The new one like mine at £275k is now 2nd hand as they've slept in it

blahugh!




I must admit, I think I'd be wary of new builds after all the problems I've heard about snagging and more.

One I bought wasn't new, it was nearly new, but even with that, huge probs came to light after .I'd bought it, which luckily were seen to by insurance.

My home is pretty old........ about 120 years old. I reckon that if it's been standing that long, it should be ok for a few more years!


It had a new roof put on just before I bought it, though! (30+ years ago!)

PasturesNew

Random TV programme, channel 4, Big House, Little House. Couples change their house/extend etc.

Initial valuation £450k
Spent £80k

New valuation £509k.

"They have taken good advice and made some good decisions" he said...

I think they're a bit pee'd off it wasn't valued at more.

I think the other couple also made a "loss" ... but they did get their dream house from it.

I'm so glad I don't have a "dream house" in my head, waiting to burst out. It's easier being "easily pleased" and lacking in any style or aspiration. It's cheaper too