To ask for your reasons for preferring period properties?

[Derlei]

Sorry, another LLL thread.

I always come across buyers on this programme looking for "period properties". What is it about period properties that people prefer? Is it the charm, is it the potential history associated with it, or is it the way that they're physically constructed? Do they appreciate more in value relative to other types of builds in the same area?

Some of the period properties Kirsty and Phil find are quirky and quintessentially British, but at the same time are tiny and imo don't look very cosy

[Grindelwaldswand]

Modern new build properties are cold and sterile imo they are designed as art and not to be lived in properly whereas a period property has history behind it and has been loved and lived in

[Hellmouth]

We live in an property that was built in the 1800s. I love old windows, cornicing (not sure if that's the right word) and old fireplaces. The only downside is with old windows comes high energy bills!

[HelenaGWells]

For me it would be about usable space. There are some victorian terraces near me and they are HUGE compared to the other terraces in the area.
Space isn't everything though and it would also depend on layout. I';m not especially pro or anti period houses it is all about good area and usable space for me as we are a relatively large family with a comparatively small budget.

The house I have now is similar in size to my brothers old house and several friends houses but the thing that sold it to me most was the brilliant use of space. We have far bigger and more usable rooms than most houses this size due to the layout of the hallways. It's not a period property but is a very good use of space for a modern house.

[sparechange]

They look nicer, they have better room proportions and ceiling heights, and have better layouts

In London, they tend to be in better locations. Not so much the area but having south facing gardens, being on proper streets etc

So many new builds and 70s properties are squeezed into the patches of land the Victorians left behind, where as the Victorians had a blank field to start with

But it is mostly that they just look so much nicer from the outside

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Character and build quality.

[GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick]

for me personally it's mostly aesthetic. i prefer the way they look. i like high ceilings (although i have to get a man in to change my light bulbs as poor DP isn't tall enough even on a stepladder (he's taller than i am, before anyone asks why i don't do it myself!), big sash windows, big gardens.

but they certainly aren't the be all and end all. i've been a letting agent so seen a lot of houses and flats in my time, and there are really nice properties in every style. even the big 70's blocks that tend to be featureless from the outside usually have things like massive rooms, garages for parking etc.

[GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick]

how the fuck has that linked to an ebay ad for stepladders?! stupid ipad

[JoJoSM2]

the grandeur and the ornate aesthetics.

[friendlyflicka]

I have always lived in them. Was born in one and just carried on. I think they are prettier. Current one is a cottage and ceiling height is low, is bloody freezing but very pretty inside and out.

If I moved to a nice new build I would probably be amazed by how warm everything was and how well it all worked.

[0hCrepe]

I just really like the way they look. I love old things, wood, detail, colour, glass and fires.

[downwardfacingdog]

Prettier from outside, ceiling height, character features like fireplaces, picture rails etc. Just more my style really, cosy and quirky rather than minimal. Would probably consider a more modern house if I was being purely practical, but can't imagine loving one.

[TheLivingAsheth]

I like the idea of living somewhere that has a history, that others have lived in. I like the high ceilings of Victorian houses, and the fireplaces, and the larger gardens - many new builds have tiny gardens. I find new builds a bit soulless and sterile.

[Bellaposy]

Character, room proportions, ceiling heights, built to last, soulful, have a history, were built with beauty in mind.

I work a lot with new builds and they are built right on top of each other, boxy rooms, no character, built at minimum cost and therefore quality, estates are built without amenities including adequate parking. I could go on. I wouldn't even consider a new built tbh.

[ghostyslovesheets]

no idea - my friend lives in a cottage - all beams, head banging, tiny rooms, no flow - she loves it

I live in a 1970's house - bloody massive big airy rooms, high ceilings cheap to heat, huge garden and parking for 3 cars

I wouldn't swap - I doubt she would either

[IMissGin]

For me, asthetics, individuality, proportions, features. Longevity- I feel our 200yo house was built to last, and see no reason why it won't stand for another 200, modern houses just don't feel as 'solid'. I also think individuality means they hold value better than new build houses. I like the character and history.

[JassyRadlett]

Modern new build properties are cold and sterile imo they are designed as art and not to be lived in.

That's interesting, because my view is based on entirely the opposite! In some other countries including my home country, I prefer some new builds because they are more likely to be individually designed - or at least less mass produced - with an idea of aesthetics as well as profit.

Here I find new builds to be almost exclusively cookie-cutter, boring in design, and utilitarian. I think it's a combined function of a restrictive planning system and a very concentrated construction industry.

And in urban areas, period places are more concentrated in the nicer and more convenient locations.

[Astro55]

Also location - usually in a well served area - new builds seem to forget shops bus routes schools doctors etc ...

[Merlin40]

Character and interesting features.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

how the fuck has that linked to an ebay ad for stepladders?! stupid ipad

It's not your iPad, it's a new advertising thing on MN.

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

I live in a boxy 1950's house and prefer it over Victorian houses in our area

[scrivette]

It's the character, I find that the new builds are too boxy and uniform and quite bland. However, I see that not everyone would like the small rooms and awkward layout of my house!

[FantaIsFine]

I like living in history. My house is pretty standard Victorian, but I don't know many others who have a genuine (yes I know a different era) air raid shelter in their grounds. The house is also aesthetically pleasing and something about all those bits of original wood and plasterwork give me a lovely feeling. Can't change landing light bulbs or paint though as I'm too short.

Until you realise how much your previous owner fucked up AGAIN and after fifteen years residence you've just been landed with a five grand bill to rectify yet another of their horrific error-prone fixes. (Just this week so a bit sore)

[maddening]

I love the beams in our 1890 cottage - so cute- but cottage proportions- though the rooms are not disproportionate to some new builds we've looked at.

Though we are going to try and sell and will probably seek a new build with help to buy so we can upscale. (Bought 2007 so lost a lot- only max £14k in equity and at least £5k under our purchase price means we haven't been able to build any equity up.

[CinnamonSweet]

The quirkiness and the features, high ceilings and huge cellars, they just seem a bit different.

I have a period property, I love it, but its expensive to heat (never lived in a new build so nothing to compare it to but heat just seems to escape) and nothing's quite straight, walls are a bit out which made flooring a nightmare, door frames are too big so buying doors to fit is impossible and the lovely big skirting boards can't be match up if you need to (I.e round a new fireplace)
And talking of fireplaces, having the chimney swept had everything covered in soot for ages!

Still love it though.

[GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick]

Ah thank you!! That explains why my swears rant then also linked to eBay and iPads!!!!