Would you buy a house like this?

I'd run, not walk. Foam and all that. No thanks. How much are you paying for it? I wonder how price would compare with the value of my house which is pretty solid and has no problems with roof or anything.

This 😄

I mean, these sellers obviously bought the house 4 years ago, so someone out there definitely would buy it (because they did). Probably more hassle than it’s worth though really, if you’re already worrying about it.

Are the mortgage company willing to give you a mortgage for it? If so I wouldn't be concerned about the timber frame. If not the I would definitely walk away as you wouldn't be able to sell it.
I think it would be sensible to investigate the timber frame though could you find out more about it and the actual expected life time of the house?

I live in a timber frame house built in 1978. I grew up on this estate. Neither my or my parents houses have had issues with the frame, nor have any of the others.

The most likely situation is that the mortar on the brick skin will crack, but this is easily sorted by getting the pointing redone.
The house itself is considerably warmer than a standard construction house because the frame has 5 layers of insulation in it.
We've never had an issue getting a mortgage either.

You've got an agreement for the roof, if the houses really had a lifespan as short as 50-60 years then that would be more of an issue for the mortgage company than anything else!

Lots of people talking nonsense on here. Timber frame is fine, spray foam also fine as long as it's designed to enable the house to breathe with good ventilation.

Having had extensive building work completed on our house recently the idea of the foam and timber - massive no

It’s the biggest purchase you make and for me is way to risky to not know about those two significant- the whole structure and roof are affected.

Buy it if you love it but it isn’t a rock solid investment.
personally I’d walk away. I’d never feel totally at ease with it.

I live in a timber framed house of the sort you describe - i.e. brick on the outside. I had no idea of the lifespan. We've lived here for 30 plus years and the house is probably 50 years old now. As are all houses on this estate. I can't imagine for one moment that it is likely to cause any issue any time soon. Plenty of houses is my street sell quickly and easily, so other buyers are not put off. As you have had a survey done, ask your surveyor how much longer he expects the timber frame to last.

No advice about the foam in the roof.

As others have said “timber frame” can mean anything, good or bad. You could have a rock solid oak frame under there or something shoddy. Only way you could tell is via research and physical inspection.
FYI if I win the lottery I’ll be building an oak frame dream home so don’t automatically think it’s something to worry about. Just something to clarify.

Run a mile. Be glad you found out now.

This is a standard modern construction and nothing to be concerned about. I don't know where you heard the 50 years figure, but it is incorrect. The house will have the same potential lifespan as any other house built in the same period.

Spray foam insulation on the other hand is a big concern. That alone would be enough for me to reject it.

Yanbu

Glad to see someone understood my point.

Based on what you have said you may be better off leaving this house as you will always have doubts.

However, timber framed houses are the majority of houses built today. This is the future of home building. If your doors and skirting boards are on the inside of the brick skin and last forever why wouldn’t the frame?

Without knowing the specifics of this house I would not ask the lenders as they simply want to make money out of you, nothing more. Can you ask a builder friend or call one up and pay him to do an appraisal, independent of the mortgage.

This is where getting a really good survey done is worth the money rather than the low cost home buyers report.

The other countries thing is a good point. Simply because they are all CALLED timber framed or brick and timber doesn't say anything about the methods used or the quality of the building materials....its like saying "cotton dress"

Some of what you said is true. I grew up in NA and like everyone else had a timber framed house (with brick at the bottom). The house is now 70+ years old and no issues. You can’t see rhe timber (what a strange thing to say) no would you be able to know about the condition of the wood as it’s covered (normally is siding). Weather is extreme - -10 in winter to plus 30 in summer so it knows how to take a beating. And it isn’t always cheaper to bulldoze and rebuild - again what a strange thing to say.

I wound suggest wood frame isn’t common here so people don’t know what to make of it but 100’s of millions of people have them around the world and don’t have issues . They normally are better insulated as well as the framing has space for insulation. Good luck.

Housing will never catch up with demand in England.
Mews were stables and now they’re pricey.
In decades most won’t own a home.

Oh! So the 50 years isn't in an official document from the builders or the construction company or whatever? It's just online? I was wondering where the 50 came from but thought it was non-standard construction maybe.

Have you checked with your lender to see if they'd lend on the house or if they have any concerns?

Run, don't walk, away.

You answered your own question. You want this to be a good investment for your children when you're gone, but the house has a lifespan of 50 years. This means that in 20 years time you will have a very hard time selling it.

Op- What is your current house frame made out of ?