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Last minute nerves about buying a 'do-er-upper'!

38 replies

mostlyrain · 09/09/2016 16:59

We're 2 weeks off completion on a house. I'm starting to get cold feet due to the amount of work it needs. It's in the location we want to live in and love. We should never out grow the house but it needs everything doing to it....everything. It's liveable but we won't have much money to sort it out until we ditch the nursery bill (2-3yrs time). Are we mad?!?!

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DoItTooJulia · 09/09/2016 17:02

Yes, truly bonkers! But you're in good company Smile.

Location is key for reselling, so you're onto a winner. Try and remember that when it's tough going/ that and it'll all benworthnit in the end.

Good luck!Flowers

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DoItTooJulia · 09/09/2016 17:02

Oh balls. Terrible typing. Sorry!

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LBOCS2 · 09/09/2016 17:03

Nope. I grew up in a doer upper (aged 3 onwards). My sister was born there. It's an absolutely beautiful house now and been in the family for almost 30 years because it genuinely was perfect. A couple of years pain vs your perfect property is worth it, no?

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blowmybarnacles · 09/09/2016 17:03

Well, you'll never be bored. Grin

Link?

The idea of ideal location and never growing out of out is worth it, in my opinion.

Lots of thrifty things you can do too, lots of inspiration on the internet.
A house you can make your own so much better then a box house with no soul.

Enjoy!

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Plumpysoft · 09/09/2016 17:03

You won't regret it! I'm looking for the next one!

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CanISayOfHerFace · 09/09/2016 17:04

We've just done the same thing although only lived in the house for 6 months before we started work.

A couple of questions... Do you have enough money to do anything? How bad is it? Can you live there happily for three years without doing any work? Do you have children or are you planning children within the same timescale?

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PurpleDaisies · 09/09/2016 17:05

If you're the person above me in the chain, buy the bloody house!!!

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PurpleDaisies · 09/09/2016 17:06

Seriously, fixer uppers are great. At least you have to do everything so you get it done to your taste rather than living with something you don't like for years. There ways of doing things cheaply. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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mostlyrain · 09/09/2016 17:06

Phew you guys are making me feel better! It's a radical change for us. City life to village life plus moving to a house that never needed work to one that needs everything! The space and location are what sold it for us (and schools etc).

Here it is: Bristol Road, Chew Stoke
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54772477.html

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mostlyrain · 09/09/2016 17:08

We've got 2 DCs (1yo and 3yo). We will have enough for new heating system and possibly a bathroom but that's it! Piled everything into getting it!!

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DoItTooJulia · 09/09/2016 17:09

that's beautiful

Although not a do-er upper by my standards though!

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Westcountrygemini · 09/09/2016 17:10

Gorgeous house in a lovely area, go for it!

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CodyKing · 09/09/2016 17:11

What 'needs' doing exactly?

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CremeEggThief · 09/09/2016 17:13

Er, where's all the stuff that needs doing up?Confused Paint and possible replace the salmon pink carpet and you're done. Lovely house, with a beautiful gardenSmile.

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NetballHoop · 09/09/2016 17:14

That's MUCH less of a do-er upper than the one we bought! That looks like you could move in straight away and redecorate as and when.

Is that damp down the side of the fireplace in the living room though? That would worry me.

For what it's worth, we've "nearly" finished doing up our place. But it has taken over 10 years so the bits we did first now need doing again :(

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manandbeast · 09/09/2016 17:15

First world problems OP?!

Seriously though - congratulations it's beautiful

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mostlyrain · 09/09/2016 17:16

It's got rising damp in the living room. There's no dpc apparently. Needs a new heating system and no double glazing downstairs....

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yummycake123 · 09/09/2016 17:17

It's a beautiful house!
I think it will be worth it.
Good luck!

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LBOCS2 · 09/09/2016 17:23

That's really really not a doer upper.

Beautiful house though!

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ShortLass · 09/09/2016 17:26

A beautiful house. If you don't grasp your chance you will forever regret it.

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JT05 · 09/09/2016 17:29

Go for it! It looks lovely. We've gutted three houses , in the past,of the rampant dry rot/ holes in roof and floor type, also with little ones.

Yours looks lovely and ready to move into.

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CremeEggThief · 09/09/2016 17:31

You're not the buyer someone on another thread is fuming with, are you?Grin

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gillybeanz · 09/09/2016 17:32

Talking from experience here.
if you had the money to do it all at once, things like decorating will all need doing at the same time again, as would new kitchen and bathroom.
Staggering them over a few years means not having to do them all again.

Plus you'll appreciate it far more. Take pictures of the transformation as it takes place, then look back in years to come.

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mostlyrain · 09/09/2016 17:33

Cremeegg I hope not!! We're definitely going ahead but just got the last min nerves!!

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gillybeanz · 09/09/2016 17:34

Sorry, but that's just a decorate to taste job, nowhere near a dooer upper.

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