In love with a falling down house

nimbo

NatNat77 said:

So why on earth aren't you buying on one of those?! 

Because they all look like a houses made of Lego and this one is pretty. Made of stone and has history. 🤷‍♀️

davilown

Can you post the Rightmove link or the property address/postcode?

Soot2006

Sometimes you just fall in love like that, I get it.

Have you viewed some of the more boring houses in person? I think it's worth stepping in and seeing the views and seeing how you feel about what you might get for your money.

We viewed lots of shiny houses, but we bought a dull, leaky house. It's shiny to me. It wasn't cheaper but it it, quite simply, better (to me!). Semi-detached bungalow with a dodgy loft conversion - didn't even want to view it, but stepped inside, walked around, and I just knew it was right for the family. (been here almost 2 years and never regretted - well, sometimes in heavy rain lol) ...

lookstraightahead

We've recently bought an old house which looks like a shed from the outside. In fact, my parents almost fainted when they saw it. You really need to have a keen eye to appreciate it. It's 1850s and wobbly. 

I love it! 

BUT you have to buy it taking into account the worst possible scenario financially, or what can you live without doing? We couldn't get a big mortgage because our incomes vary each month and we have lots of bits of jobs between us, so our multiples were only based on 2 part time jobs. This means we have monthly income for the potential of a new roof, sorting out damp issues, spalling, rendering, windows, floorboards, boiler, fence panels, guttering, soffits, fascias etc. If you are stretching yourself already, then it could be a miserable existence (not saying it all needs to be done but you need to know what you can live with - personally I'm happy with 'issues'!).

lookstraightahead

Soot2006 said:

Sometimes you just fall in love like that, I get it.

Have you viewed some of the more boring houses in person? I think it's worth stepping in and seeing the views and seeing how you feel about what you might get for your money.

We viewed lots of shiny houses, but we bought a dull, leaky house. It's shiny to me. It wasn't cheaper but it it, quite simply, better (to me!). Semi-detached bungalow with a dodgy loft conversion - didn't even want to view it, but stepped inside, walked around, and I just knew it was right for the family. (been here almost 2 years and never regretted - well, sometimes in heavy rain lol) ...

don't you find that your neighbours are also like the houses - in a good way I mean? Happy not to be perfect and a lot more relaxed.

Titus_Wadd

If they have rejected your latest offer (or when the do) I wouldn't make a third offer for a while.  They'll think they can push you up to £120k a thousand at a time!   I'd leave them wondering or tell the EA that your last offer is still on the table if they change their mind.  Don't keep checking with the EA to see what's happening you want them to think it's a serious offer but you're not desperate.  I hope you get it! 

Louise.H

nimbo said:

NatNat77 said:

So why on earth aren't you buying on one of those?! 

Because they all look like a houses made of Lego and this one is pretty. Made of stone and has history. 🤷‍♀️

Hopefully not sandstone, as an owner of a property made out of this its a nightmare - ants etc work through it like butter and the whole place becomes a storage heater in the summer. Lovely character property but I am looking forward to a brick house next. 

nimbo

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86836978#/

Pic one. The window to the right of the door. Where the edge of the widow is the lintel has a crack in it. Painted over. The the same window under neath there are bricks between the bricks. Obvs not a straight line as it’s where the mortar is. 

AdrianC

Ooh, that's lovely.

Not seeing much in that pic, though.

Nor is there much in the only Streetview shot, from 2009.
https://goo.gl/maps/9Nhd4SdHuKn2QXor9

nimbo

Titus_Wadd said:

If they have rejected your latest offer (or when the do) I wouldn't make a third offer for a while.  They'll think they can push you up to £120k a thousand at a time!   I'd leave them wondering or tell the EA that your last offer is still on the table if they change their mind.  Don't keep checking with the EA to see what's happening you want them to think it's a serious offer but you're not desperate.  I hope you get it! 

I’m not going a penny over what I’ve offered. And I’ve made the clear the the estate agents. It’s honestly over priced. 

The valuation isn’t going to say it’s worth what I’ve offered. And I’ll have to make up the difference. They won’t budge. They have an endowment mortgage and need to buy on. It’s been on the market for 6 months and I’m the only offer. They need to achieve what they need to achieve. But given the amount I’m going to have make up on the shortfall I can’t put down as big a deposit as I wanted already. I may love it. But the shop next door won’t always sell gin and could at some point become a stinky chippy. I need to accept that and move on.