I can't buy this house....can I?

The estate agent will sell it as a doer upper. Whoever comes to look at it with that in mind won't care a hoot about how old your kitchen units are, they will be thinking how easy it will be to rip them out and how lovely they will make it.

You have finally been handed this wonderful opportunity, this is your payback, ypu karma for all the shit in your life. Don't sabotage your own chances, when there is such an obvious easy solution. Get it on the market as soon as humanly possible.

Go for it!
The estate agent would sell as a doer- upper and it sounds like you just need to get the hell out of there quickly!
Good luck and get that dream garden and new start!

Round our way, houses like yours that need a bit of work barely hit the market before they sell. People want project houses, they sell much faster than perfectly finished ones.

It won't be unsellable just cheaper as its a doer upper a landlord or builder will snap it up

Our previous house sounded very similar when we bought it.
It needed rewiring, new boiler and radiators, the bathroom suite was pink and all of the carpets were hideous patterns. The kitchen was a total mishmash of different cupboards…
But we bought it and slowly got everything done to our tastes and it was nice to be able to choose a new kitchen etc.
If it’s priced correctly, someone will buy it .
Go and get your dream house x

Honestly, I understand how you feel about letting people in, but try to get past that.

Like most of us, it's possible you need to Declutter so get some help in with that if you do, but don't go spending money on redoing bathrooms and kitchens and other decorating.

The cost of getting renovation work done is enormous now and you make choices. New buyers may not like, then because you have spent the money and because it's new they'll feel guilty about wanting to change it and about the extra money they would pay to buy your house only to make changes.

You say your house is clean, that's all you really need.

Just price it accordingly and it will sell, then you can put all your money and energy getting it renovated into your new house.

The house you have seen sounds ideal, have you properly checked out the area and the facilities? Not just been taken in by the peaceful feeling in the garden.? Which you may get in other houses if you go to view some just because it's not yours with all your stuff and needing to be renovated?!

Absolutely sell your current home. When we bought our home we deliberately wanted one that was in need of new kitchens/bathrooms as I didn’t want to pay a premium to have a newer one I didn’t like. This was I felt no guilt about ripping it out and putting in what I wanted and I got a deal too.

I get where your head is. We are the same. I was dreading everyone seeing inside our house on photos because we’ve not finished the renovations. We are lucky in that we had an offer before we put it on the market. But get a couple of valuations, get going. It sounds like you love this other house and could easily do it. You will indeed feel so much better if you can sell your house and move forward…

OP, you sound as though you’ve had a really bad time - you deserve the dream house!
I’m sure that for every buyer that wants a totally renovated, turnkey property there are probably two or three looking for a project so your existing place will go somehow. Also, what about local plus points you may have that may be important for some buyers - schools? Transport? Universities? Major employers?

People sell doer-uppers all the time, OP. The market needs properties like yours because not everyone can afford a house priced with all the bells and whistles. Doer-uppers allow more people to own their own homes. It’s a GOOD thing.

There is absolutely no need to renovate your current house. It seems most people rip the place apart and redo everything when they buy a new place regardless of the condition. Use what money you have left over from the sale ad the inheritance to make the new place perfect. Good luck!

Forget about being embarrassed about your dated kitchen and bathroom. Your current home will sell without any upgrades. Hire a professional cleaning company if you want to spruce it up a bit but don't spend a penny on any renovations.
One of the homes we bought had not been touched for 40 years. All retro kitchen and bathrooms, and not in a good way. We absolutely wanted to buy it as it was, untouched because we wanted to upgrade everything to our own specifications. From replacing skirting boards, doors, electrics, boiler, re-model the space etc. We changed everything possible, including the garden, outside doors, garage doors and everything, gutter. You name it.
It just felt more doable seeing it raw instead of some random new cheap kitchen or bathrooms. As a seller don't spend anything on this property of yours because you won't get your money back.
There are a lot of people out there who want a property that needs modernising and are not afraid of doing it as a project.

Get advice from a few estate agents. There could be quick updates that help change viewers opinions hugely.

Don’t let the house where you felt peaceful go. We did this about 20 years ago and I still regret it when I drive passed it.

Doesn't matter. Sell as is.
Most people will want to renovated/ put their own stamp on it.
Renovating pre sale is a waste of money.

And owning 2 properties will be expensive and annoying (classified as a 2nd home).

100% Follow your dream and go for it. But please just sell everything as is and buy the house you want and live a good life

It's a massive waste of money to faff around fixing up a house to sell it - unless of course that's your business.

We bought a fixer upper because we could afford it. We've replaced everything and are just living with a horrible kitchen forever as we can't afford it yet. We bought the house for its location and footprint - and honestly because it was what we could afford. If you are reasonable on your pricing you can get rid of it and get what you want.

I would 100% buy the house. Assuming you can afford to. Peace is priceless.

Realistically, you need to sell your current home or rent it out. But it sounds like, given your current situation, having someone else living there and you managing repairs, etc would cause even more anxiety. Just sell it and get it done.

Just to add, bathrooms and kitchens are almost always ripped out. Don't bother upgrading them.

I don’t bat an eyelid at buying houses that need new bathrooms and kitchens. It’s an easy fix.

Have a look at a few other houses as well. You never know, you may find one that's a better fit.

Get it on the market, get your dream house. You deserve it.

Sorry for your loss.
If you're worried about neighbours etc. looking through photos on rightmove, you can sell it as a 'discreet listing'. Only genuinely interested parties will see the details. Empty your house of clutter, then pay a company to send a team of cleaners. It's expensive, but think of it as therapy. Take the pressure off.
Also, just view a few more houses, just to check that the appeal isn't just that there's a big difference between a £300k house and a £150k house.

Stick your house up for sale. People snap up a renovation project.

Am aware there are many issues with this route, but there are those 'we buy any house' places where you could avoid all that. They take a massive cut and you would get a lot more money going the traditional route, but for the sake of your mental health and because you aren't actually worried about the money, it's worth considering (caveat I've never done such a thing, but you sound like you're really struggling)

Or... literally hire someone. Throw several thousands at a professional organiser to just sort it all out for you. There's an amazing judgement-free company where I live that do this for people.

Sorry to quote but was concerned the thread would move on.

Your place sounds like someone's dream, I appreciate it might feel embarrassing having people round. I would go out as people can be mean and those comments won't do you any favours. My kitchen is from the 80s, the bathroom is new, rotten double glazing wood chip wallpapers condemned gas fire. So ling as it's clean and tidy noone will care. If it's not, get someone in to declutter and clean and you can move on.