Would you live in an ex-council house if it meant being mortgage free?

[huffpuff75]

Just wondering what other people's perspective is on this. Basically my question is as above, ex-council house on a small estate in a desirable (to us anyway) rural village, with very good primary school nearby, good but not outstanding secondary, large garden, much larger house than we would get for the same money in non ex LA properties. There are a handful of properties fitting that description available in our two target villages, some we'd be completely mortgage free, others would require a small mortgage. Thanks for reading!

[georgedawes]

Definitely. As long as the location is good! Ex council houses from the 1930s are generally well built properties and being mortgage free would be so liberating.

[expatinscotland]

YES! As long as it's in a good location and is detached or has good neighbours.

[huffpuff75]

Thanks georgedawes. I agree on the well built aspect, plus the space is often good. Location is in two of the village(s) we're looking at, so I suppose that is a yes, it is good for us. STrangely though I wouldn't consider it in the third village we're looking at as the houses are much later, smaller and not as good build quality. And there's more of them.

[dashoflime]

Sounds fantastic: Go for it!

[huffpuff75]

Semi detached expat. I'd have to check out the neighbours, but chances are I'll know them (or know someone who does) so that is easily found out. NatashaBee - the stigma is why I was interested in views. The area is a very rural area, which is what we are after. Back to where I grew up, but commutable for DH.

[Anifrangapani]

Some of the most dedirable houses in our village are ex LA. They are the only ones with gardens and parking.

[expatinscotland]

Find out! Semi is good, too, if you know the neighbours. :)

[MmeLindor]

Yes, in fact I do, but it is not yet mortgage free. We just bought last year, and it is very well built and has bigger rooms than many of the new build houses nearby - which are sometimes 40% dearer.

I think we will find that ex LA houses become more sought after in the coming years, because people are having to go for the cheaper option because they can't afford the down payment otherwise.

[TheBoyandTheButton]

A house is a house. I brought an ex council house, semi, with drive and massive 20m garden, I love it!

[huffpuff75]

Thanks dash and monkey
I am a bit worried I'd miss character, but I'm sure I could fit woodburners and make it characterful

[Meglet]

Yes. I'm waiting for an ex-council house to come up for sale in the area I want actually. I've spent a long time grumping about not wanting to live in 'that' sort of area but realised that actually its not bad and a good location, and I'll get a downstairs loo! I won't be mortgage free mind you, but we will have loads more space for not much more money. If I'm not crippled with a big mortgage then we can have a good quality of life.

[wonderstuff]

My house is in my ideal village, not ex LA, but 80's build, which I prevously wouldn't gone for, do miss sash windows a bit, but the space I have for the price is so good. I rent, so can't fit a woodburner, but if I could it would be perfect. Extra space is such a luxury imo.

[narmada]

Yes yes yes. We do - not mortgage-free, nowhere near- but I love it. It is so solid and I never ever hear a peep from our attachex neihhnours. Massive plot, extendable and most of neighbours were born here and some have been here since houses were built In 1950.

[huffpuff75]

wow - loads of positive responses. Cat keeps sitting on my keyboard and shutting computer down just as I am typing replies though.
YY to gardens and room sizes Ani and Cognac
Good to hear from those who have done it MmeLindor and TheBoy. The garden sizes are what's doing it for me as well. And the space Meglet and Wonderstuff, aaah the space squints to avoid seeing true extent of overstuffed 2 bed house and own emerging DC2 bump

[GrendelsMum]

If the garden was nice, I think it sounds like a great idea.

[huffpuff75]

Thanks Narmada - sounds like where we're looking!
OK, so unless the ultimate forever house appears on the market under budget and with vendors desperate to take a low offer, then these are serious contenders... Like Meglet says - it is about quality of life. And nothing else in this world is getting any cheaper, so we should save where we can.
Thanks all for the input so far - it has been really helpful.

[annalouiseh]

100% must do
bigger rooms, non paper walls and a larger garden.
we have this. go for it, chances are if you do a few things to it also you will increase the value also

[PureQuintessence]

Yes. We did this. Desirable (London) location, ex council wedged in between fab mansions, good nearby schools. Our mortgage is very small, and totally affordable. The house is a three bed end of terrace which has been extended both sideways (yet keeping the side entrance) and into the garden. We have a mahoosive garden. It has two sheds, a 25 m2 deck, a "grown up" area for sitting in nice surroundings, large lawn with both trampoline and a skating ramp. Plus we have a park in front.

[narmada]

We are also greater London - and also sandwiched in between mega-mansions. Hurray for ex-council houses.

[Goodwordguide]

I think I know exactly where you are quint. We're nearby, also ex-council, conservation area, lovely garden estate built in 1920s with allotments, greens, mature trees. Very sought-after and our little 3-bed has increased in value by 45% in 6 years.

I find it really strange that people would think ex-council was anything to be embarrassed about!

[deleted203]

Yes. Particularly if it's a 1930s - 1950s ex council house. They are usually a really good size and have huge gardens.

[SomeoneInCam]

I do. Been here over 15 years. Mortgage gone. Had lovely neighbours for a long time (until they died), then a brief spell of bad ones and now lovely ones again on the non-attached side, but perfect ones on the attached side, who I'm sure will all 'stick', one set hoping to buy as soon as they can. We all have massive long gardens that make it like a green oasis out the back!

Average but affordable location, near excellent schools.