Wimpey No Fines- Buy or Not to buy?

Piggywinkle

The lenders we approached didn't like the prospect of red ash, so although it won't stop someone from getting a mortgage, it could potentially limit the mortgages provided, in the same way that a non-standard construction would, I suppose.

AdrianC

I've learnt something - I thought red ash was a type of wood...

stator

Red ash looks like a localised problem, near mining areas, the same as mundic is a problem in cornwall.
The local surveyor who the bank hire to do a valuation survey would know if it needs to be checked

MrsKaykay

Piggywinkle wrote: »

There are a few other things to look out for too - a substantial amount of these houses were built using red ash flooring (Google is your friend!) so get that checked out as it will be another nail in the coffin of any mortgage offer if that were still in place.


We looked at a Wimpey No-Fines recently but the detective work I did, the more problems appeared (not just the construction but other stuff too). Long shot, but it's not in the South Staffs area is it?

What problems did you find with your detective work? The house we are looking is by Bracknell.

Piggywinkle

Ah, you're probably okay then! It was a particular area in South Staffs that had myriad problems when looked into. Bracknell is a long way from here

Judzzy

Hi, I would be interested to know what you did in the end as I am currently looking at a WNF house which is amazing and I just learnt that it's a WNF.... I am really debating and of course I will ask for an engineer to do a full report but I would like to hear your experience so far...

stator

Judzzy wrote: »

Hi, I would be interested to know what you did in the end as I am currently looking at a WNF house which is amazing and I just learnt that it's a WNF.... I am really debating and of course I will ask for an engineer to do a full report but I would like to hear your experience so far...

What area of the country are you in?
If it's the South West I can recommend a surveyor who specialises in WNF.


Don't assume that all surveyors know what they are talking about, many will have no experience of WNF

Judzzy

I am in North West London, if you know anyone good who specialises in WNF I would really appreciate !!
Thanks anyway

stator

He lives in Cornwall, so London isn't out of the question but would probably add a bit to the cost! PM me if you want his name.

Mai123

We have lived in a Wimpey No Fines house for years and they are great! Really sound proof, solid and reliable, not damp, not cold. We had no problems in getting a mortgage or insurance on it, most insurers classed it as a standard method of construction.

We did a lot of research in to them before we purchased, WNF have never been one of the defective ones suffering some of the horrors you can read on line but I think sometimes people perhaps confuse them?

We extended ours and made a 3-4m new structural opening in the rear external wall and had a structural engineer look at it in the process (and he said they are great houses), so they are just as extendable as any other property. Just invest in a good drill for pictures and shelves

I think people get a little freaked by the 'non-standard' label, but it doesn't mean defective and that is unlikely to change I'd be surprised if ours isn't still standing in 1000 years :rotfl: