Which of these things would put you off buying

[MuddyWellyNelly]

Thinking of moving. Our house has a lot of positive features including location and significant outside space, stables etc. In a rural situation but still easy access to shops, motorway airport etc. No neighbours. However it's an old house and there were a number of things on our list to do. It does however have a new woodburner, recently fitted oak flooring and a brand new bathroom with underfloor heating. Lots going for it and overall in very good condition even though it's c300 years old.

Windows - c20 year old aluminium. Double glazed but condensation issues. Will cost us £10k to replace.

Garage - had an ugly but useable double garage. We keep both our cars in it. But it's a total eyesore. Options are to leave, demolish or replace, again probably £10k.

Septic tank. Needs replaced. c£5k.

Kitchen is bearable at a cosmetic level, has a smeg hob/oven. Hand painted cupboards but they are quite old and it's a bit tatty.

Most rooms have been re-painted and will do them all if not. Obviously do the major de-clutter, outside tidy up etc. Which of the above big things would put you off buying rather than be just a price negotiation; or which would you not notice if we'd spent the money or not?

[MuddyWellyNelly]

We *have a garage. Not had.

[Thankfulforeveryday]

The Windows would hugely put me off. Kitchen not so much as that's more of a personal touch thing. The garage wouldn't bother me as your rural. Maybe the tank too!

[spanky2]

Yes to being upfront about it as reflected in your asking price. I think declutter and paint in neutral colours.
I bought a brand new house, so I don't want to do any work at all. Lots of people out there want to make their own mark. Even if you did put new windows in, a buyer might come along and want to change them! Our buyers put in new windows, new kitchen, new bathroom, carpets and decorated. They were happy to do the work. We had put in a new boiler...

[torthecatlady]

Windows for me!
I have the alu double glazed with condensation issues and they are shit.
Kitchen is personal - could you make it look more shabby chic than tatty chic?

[changingagain]

The windows would bother me as it's the kind of thing that suggests you're likely to find other problems after buying.

Septic tank and kitchen I would just put in a lower offer to ofset the cost of replacing them.

Garage wouldn't bother me as long as it's detatched.

[Muskateersmummy]

If these things are reflected in the asking price then none of them would put me off. If the asking price is high then I would offer you a lower price to reflect the work needed to bring the house up to standard. None seem to be a deal breaker to me.

[CointreauVersial]

None of it would put me off if the house were priced accordingly.

Replacing the windows would be a bit of a chore, but straightforward and clearly costed.

Garage could be done....whenever. Or given a quick and cheap tart-up.

Know nothing about septic tanks!

What would put me off would be intangibles, like cracks in brickwork, roofing problems, inadequate heating, leaks....where the solution could turn out to be very expensive, or impossible.

[willconcern]

I would ask for reduction in price to do windows, kitchen & sort garage. The septic tank though - that would put me off. Not sure I'd even consider buying a house that had one. But maybe I'm just not educated about them.

[Muskateersmummy]

I read that as inadequate haunting Cointreau !

[Muskateersmummy]

Septics are no big deal, just need emptying every few years costs about £100

[Sparklycat]

Septic tank and Windows would put me right off.

[toomuchtoolate]

None of that would put me off, particularly as the house has other, very positive, features. If there are similar properties nearby then your asking price should reflect what needs doing, but if there aren't any comparables then maybe just be prepared to reduce the price in order to achieve a sale.

[springscoming]

Septic tank would need to be replaced. I'd prefer a reduction in price that explicitly reflects the duff windows.

[RoganJosh]

I'd be happier if the septic tank didn't need replacing. The rest seems straightforward enough to do.

[MuddyWellyNelly]

Thanks everyone - wow loads of responses! A septic tank (for those that have said they don't know much about them or inferred it would worry them) is a no-brainer for a rural property. The issue is ours is old so a cesspit rather than a modern digester. Still does its job mind you.

Kitchen is definitely shabby chic lol. We painted over the brown tobacco coloured tiles so I am thinking we could maybe replace those at a relatively low cost.

Cointreau non of the big things you mention. Boiler is relatively new, house is in good condition generally.

Garage is detached, yes. General consensus on this seems to be leave well alone.

Windows appear to be the dividing feature. Poster who said it would worry them what else would need done is echoing my concern, but then again would be annoyed to spend £10k to have them ripped out!!

[tilder]

I didn't see if the house was listed. Cam be a big issue especially if the house needs work.

If it's an equestrian property a lot of people will be more interested in that and not the house.

A good location was of prime importance for us including transport access and school catchment. All else depended on asking price.

Check what else is available locally for an equestrian property.

[Tiggeryoubastard]

New oak flooring but 20 year old aluminium Windows would make me wonder what else you'd prioritised in that way. New paint and fucked up drains? Seems a bit fur coat and no knickers in a house sort of way. Sorry to be blunt but that's how I would view it. Not saying you're fur coat and new knickers, btw.

[AlisonWunderland]

Most people will know what they're letting themselves in for with Windows and kitchens.
Any potential buyers who have never dealt with septic tanks before might be put off by an old cess pit style, but be reassured if it was a spanking new digester

[RaphaellaTheSpanishWaterDog]

None of those would put me off. Our previous (rural) house was considered unmortgageable and needed everything (with the exception of a new thatched roof and oil-fired boiler although the stupid idiot had this installed in a dilapidated and leaking outbuilding which had to be demolished so it needed moving anyway) doing. The price reflected all of this and we were mugs looking for a project.

I wouldn't want newly installed UPVC windows as I'd prefer to install my own timber ones (hate plastic windows) and kitchens are definitely personal, although the last three/four houses we've sold it's been the kitchen our buyers have fallen in love with and all are still in situ several years later.

In your shoes I think I would only do basic cosmetic stuff plus major clean & declutter, then price to reflect the current state/work required.

[RaphaellaTheSpanishWaterDog]

Don't know what went wrong there with the strike through

[specialsubject]

the only possible is the knackered septic tank, because new regulations mean replacing them can be a whole world of pain. A literal can of worms! (let's hope ours lasts!)

if you've got a quote for it showing no show-stoppers, then I'd be happy.

otherwise - price for condition and good luck!

[lljkk]

What would put me off would be not being walking distance to shops & school, or being a bad cycle journey to other places. None of the stuff OP has mentioned would put me off although I'd expect the price to reflect needed repairs.

[MuddyWellyNelly]

Tilder no not listed fortunately. It's an equestrian property of sorts, we rent land. But the properties are like hens teeth in this area and I agree we were fairly blind to the house when we bought it.

Tigger proper at me being fur coat and no knickers. It's a fair point, though the reasoning was just the order we did it in, we will replace the windows next if we stay. DH was waiting for a bonus to pay for them but we could afford the floors at the time. But we'd not discuss something personal like that with a buyer and it could make people suspicious.

Raphaella haha one of the reasons we put off doing the windows for so long was an argument between us as to whether we'd put in timber (me) or pvc (DH).

[Quodlibet]

I would want to choose my own windows and have the £10k reflected in the price (£10k is very optimistic for timber double glazed though I think).

I'd be happier if the septic tank was sorted as that's a headache.

Nothing else would bother me if it's warm, dry and useable with no structural issues. Sounds lovely!

[lighteningirl]

I would get the septic tank replaced it's likely most people won't have experience of that. Can you get a price for replacing Windows? I think it helps if you have a definite cost/price and it's reflected in your asking price. I would also consider a kitchen refurb: New doors and worktop doesn't have to be expensive but makes it more sellable