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Regretting House Purchse

9 replies

hatethishouse24 · 01/05/2024 21:13

We’ve bought an 18 month old new build - got keys last wk.

Not my ideal. But, had to do it for various reasons. One them of been having been in shitty and v expensive rentals since we moved to this area nearly 4 years ago. Nb we have owned previously - 3 separate properties before this move.

I hate it, we totally rushed into it, it’s like a soulless office everywhere downstairs is tiled and is white/pale grey - inc kitchen. Everything reminds me of an office.

Whilst this can be changed what we weren’t banking on is that it is like a play house - nothing is practical or works properly.

And this we have learnt is because it was a crash pad and the previous owners didn’t properly live here properly.

No space in the kitchen like literally no physical space in the kitchen to put a bin.

Can’t have one out as no free wall space then the cupboards all have some weird accessories in them so you can’t even fit a cupboard one in or even just a cheap container temporarily and that’s just waste - god knows what they did with any recycling - we have 3 bins outside and the waste wheelie is tiny and on 2 wk collection.

The wall cupboards and fridge are all weirdly high so at 5’4 I can’t really use them without a step.

There’s no washing line outside or pulley or anything inside to hang laundry out.

It’s cold, even tho supposed to be super duper insulated. I’m currently freezing and I have have the old oil filled plug in radiator on brought from the draughty Edwardian rental we’ve just left. Heating is on and all working apparently.

All the wardrobes are fitted - great you think, but they are completely empty apart from a rail which goes half way across and then up - no shelves or internal drawers so pretty useless for anything but a small amount of hanging space and shoes. Towels and bedding are currently in ikea bags on the floor. We have fitted in the chest of drawers we can but they have clothes in them.

The big thing tho is that there is no water pressure. And to top this off it has 3 bathrooms - total ridiculous overkill, but they are useless in design/quality of fittings.

3 pretty much brand new bathrooms, the sink is weirdly tiny (same one in all) so that you can’t wash your face over it properly and to make matters worse the tap comes out to the edge so ends up covered in water/toothpaste.

The shower trays are all tiny - so they’re both useless and there’s nowhere to put your stuff, not enough edge round the bottom then if you had something hanging or on the wall/in corner you would be banging into it.

And to make matters worse there are only rainfall heads with a really small number of holes - which with the pressure is obviously totally pitiful, then a weird thigh/knee height hand held bum washer thing.

I have longish very thick/curly hair and it takes so much faffing to try and was the shampoo/conditioner out that the hot water has run out each time I’ve washed my hair (it’s a bloody tank and not a combi) so I’ve ended up getting cold showers as the hot water’s gone before I’ve managed to wash and condition my hair. gave up and haven’t done it in a few days and feel grim.

Even with the totally leaky draughty rentals I was able to get a hot shower and wash my hair and wash my face and have somewhere to throw rubbish.

The thought of having to start getting trades people in and make pretty costly changes (DH also a cba person and nothing ever gets down so very much on my own with sorting - okay before kids but do not have the time or energy now) to an almost new house is just adding to the why the hell have I bought an office/ this house!!

And yes I know I should have looked more closely, but we didn’t and now I feel terrible 😞

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 01/05/2024 22:42

Um, did you actually view this house before you bought it? Surely you counted the number of bathrooms?

Motnight · 01/05/2024 22:47

Op it sounds as though the whole layout has come as a surprise to you!

leccybill · 01/05/2024 22:49

My kitchen's tiny. The bin's in front of the back door, we just move it if we want to use the door.

What do you like about it? Is the parking good? Do you have a shed or garage? What's the garden like?
I'm sure you'll settle soon. It might just be cold because it's been empty.

Autumn1990 · 01/05/2024 22:49

Most of that can be fixed although it will take time.
You can have more shelves etc put in the fitted wardrobes
Two hooks outside and you’ll be able to hang a line out.
The bathroom taps could be changed.
Google the boiler and see if there are any YouTube videos on controlling it.

I do understand how you feel though. I got a one off new biuld ( not just built though) and thought thats the end of DIY. It has so much wrong with it. I did go through a phase of feeling very upset and actually quite angry about it. It is home now and no I’ve not sorted out all the issues yet

SpaSpa · 01/05/2024 22:49

Write a list and work your way through it.

A plumber to look at the heating and show you how to use it properly.

A trip to Ikea to buy some storage stuff to put in the wardrobes.

A bin plan in the kitchen

Some wallpaper etc to make it feel homely

etc

Alloveragain3 · 01/05/2024 23:22

Short term, could you join a local gym and use their shower?
I'd hate a tiny shower with no water pressure. :(

Sounds like you'll need to write a "fix it" list and chip away.

I'd get some hanging cubes for the wardrobes, they're great for folded clothes. Then a shoe rack for the bottom.

lovelysoap · 02/05/2024 12:13

OP its OK all is not lost.

Treat the house as a fix er upper investment property that any work you do will add masses of value to the house so worth doing.

To do list to be done bit by bit over time:

Change tiles downstairs to wood or carpet
Paint walls and add features and decorate to make it more homely, get on pinterest etc for this it don't need to cost a fortune a nice paint job and a shelf can make a huge difference
Take down the kitchen cupboards and paint wall and replace with shelves
Buy a washing line and instal
Have the heating properly checked
take out the fitted wardrobes
have water pressure checked
eventually change bathroom fittings
change shower heads and get shower storage shelves off amazon
Think about a future life for you and your kids with a 'cba' husband

all the above could cost between 3-4k and could make a huge difference.

Best of luck OP

pelotonaddiction · 02/05/2024 12:31

Ok, some of it can be sorted fairly easily

Change the taps. If you aren't sure how, any local handyman should be able to do it

While the handyman is there, get them to fit shelves into the wardrobe. I also have a wire basket drawer unit in mine, it holds stuff like underwear, pjs, socks

Towels and bedding - couple of options, you could use shelves in the wardrobe, or under bed storage? Fit a towel storage rack in the bathrooms for clean towels

Bathroom shelves - I've had similar to these up for 2 years and they haven't budged, can fit yourself

amzn.eu/d/dm6OOw3

Cupboard - get whatever accessories are in there removed (handyman or yourself)

Washing line - do it yourself or again see handyman

That's the easy stuff

Then you need a heating person to look at the heating and they should be able to look at the water pressure at the same time, it could be related if your heating isn't hot

0sm0nthus · 02/05/2024 12:43

So sorry OP, and especially for your husband's lack of ability/willingness to be on your team🤬 Definitely don't pick up any of his slack! ☝️🤨
I think I would prioritise making detailed plans and finding good trades people- are you able to get any personal recommendations that you can trust?

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