Probate bungalow viewing, first time buyer.

GDB2222

Can you get some stairs installed? I’m not entirely joking, as it’s important to maintain your mobility as long as possible. 

horsewithnoname

GDB2222 said:

Can you get some stairs installed? I’m not entirely joking, as it’s important to maintain your mobility as long as possible. 

Cheaper to go for a walk! You don’t need stairs to be mobile😂

GDB2222

horsewithnoname said:

GDB2222 said:

Can you get some stairs installed? I’m not entirely joking, as it’s important to maintain your mobility as long as possible. 

Cheaper to go for a walk! You don’t need stairs to be mobile😂

When MIL became ill, her dog came to live with us, and the poor beast could not manage the stairs.

twopenny

I've seen some lovely bungalows that were probate - depends on who inherited as to whether they want more or would take less.

Usually need updateing and decorating.

What I didn't expect was I needed a bath to relieve pain and pre covid that was  easy. All fell apart after that and it took me 4yrs to get someone to do a tiny bathroom. So look at what you need for yourself. Bath/wetroom/large walk in shower.

A chimney is useful. Many bungalows with plasterboard walls are difficult to safely put any fire other than electric. Think of how you want to heat.

Storage.....it takes some working out when you move smaller but there's ways around it. However you need somewhere for coats and somewhere for hoover and cleaning stuff.

Enough sockets.

Have you got a good friend who would also look? I found they could identify what I saw as a problem they could turn it to an asset because they were being objective and weren't emotionally involved.

Some lovely properties with old bungalows but they will probably need more work. And yes, get a look in the loft if you are serious.

Murphybear

Bungalows are wonderful  . We bought one in a tiny village about 25 minutes drive from work.  I had a bad knee and the stairs were beginning to be a pain.   We sadly sold it when we moved from the Midlands to Devon 

horsewithnoname

GDB2222 said:

horsewithnoname said:

GDB2222 said:

Can you get some stairs installed? I’m not entirely joking, as it’s important to maintain your mobility as long as possible. 

Cheaper to go for a walk! You don’t need stairs to be mobile😂

When MIL became ill, her dog came to live with us, and the poor beast could not manage the stairs.

Why would you allow a dog upstairs?

Albermarle

horsewithnoname said:

GDB2222 said:

horsewithnoname said:

GDB2222 said:

Can you get some stairs installed? I’m not entirely joking, as it’s important to maintain your mobility as long as possible. 

Cheaper to go for a walk! You don’t need stairs to be mobile😂

When MIL became ill, her dog came to live with us, and the poor beast could not manage the stairs.

Why would you allow a dog upstairs?

So they can sleep on your bed ?

kinger101

I have viewed properties where I was fairly sure probate had not been granted as there was still the smell of cadaver.  I 

Bigphil1474

I sold a probate property last year - shouldn't be up for sale until probate has been granted, but sometimes they are. Double check with the EA or the family if they show you round. I did the probate myself so I knew it was sorted and provided the EA with copies of docs as they did all the viewings.

In my case, the house was empty nearly a year before completion, but we kept on top of the heating, maintenance etc., not all do. We removed the clutter before the house went on sale but left some of the furniture in situ. The occupier had been ill for a while before death so the house was in need of an update. We did get the gas and electric certs done as well as getting the boiler serviced - didn't want little bits like that slowing the sale down. We had paperwork for everything. Unfortunately, the sellers sometimes don't know anything about the property which can be a pain, but I would ask for some of the key docs and if they don't have them, ask them to do them (gas, electric etc.) Most executors are keen for a quick sale, so shouldn't be an issue. Survey essential. In our case, for the buyer, they basically just needed to redecorate and they had a solid house. 

On the issue of stairs and mobility - I was advised by my physio that moving into a bungalow is basically the death knell for your mobility as just going up and down stairs on a regular basis when your home might be enough to make the difference. You can go out for a walk, but probably not when it's pouring with rain or freezing cold outside. Personally, I'd look for a house where a stair lift could be fitted if absolute necessary, as they are fairly cheap and not as intrusive as a through floor lift, or if push came to shove, room downstairs for a bedroom and bathroom conversion. Obviously, if you can't manage stairs at all, a bungalow is a good move.

Kim83

Bigphil1474 said:

I sold a probate property last year - shouldn't be up for sale until probate has been granted, but sometimes they are. Double check with the EA or the family if they show you round. I did the probate myself so I knew it was sorted and provided the EA with copies of docs as they did all the viewings.

In my case, the house was empty nearly a year before completion, but we kept on top of the heating, maintenance etc., not all do. We removed the clutter before the house went on sale but left some of the furniture in situ. The occupier had been ill for a while before death so the house was in need of an update. We did get the gas and electric certs done as well as getting the boiler serviced - didn't want little bits like that slowing the sale down. We had paperwork for everything. Unfortunately, the sellers sometimes don't know anything about the property which can be a pain, but I would ask for some of the key docs and if they don't have them, ask them to do them (gas, electric etc.) Most executors are keen for a quick sale, so shouldn't be an issue. Survey essential. In our case, for the buyer, they basically just needed to redecorate and they had a solid house. 

On the issue of stairs and mobility - I was advised by my physio that moving into a bungalow is basically the death knell for your mobility as just going up and down stairs on a regular basis when your home might be enough to make the difference. You can go out for a walk, but probably not when it's pouring with rain or freezing cold outside. Personally, I'd look for a house where a stair lift could be fitted if absolute necessary, as they are fairly cheap and not as intrusive as a through floor lift, or if push came to shove, room downstairs for a bedroom and bathroom conversion. Obviously, if you can't manage stairs at all, a bungalow is a good move.

That's a really good point. I looked into how much a stair left would be and there was no limit. I am guessing it depends on the stairs. I have a condition where my joints dislocate, so there are times I can't do stairs at all. But I am thinking am I future proofing to a silly extent.