What do you prefer when buying a house?

[CVVFan]

I’m pretty sure I’m in the minority group that prefer either houses that are ready to move in or that are liveable for at least 2-3 years. I never buy based on a vision/project/putting my stamp on it.

We’re selling our house in 4 years, and quite frankly as much as it’s liveable for whoever buys it, it does look outdated.

I think we’re already on negative equity, so we think we’ll at least need to refresh the kitchen somehow (and possibly the bathrooms) the question is how much work is it sensible considering we’re selling it? The whole pint of the remedial work would be to sell it faster and not get cheeky offers because to some it might look more like a project than a liveable house.

but 4 years? What school years are they?

I can’t imagine anyone is particularly comfortable

I was referring to as to who’s putting our lives “on hold”.

the secondary school entrance for our 6yo is a coincidence

Y13, Y10, and Y9

how far from London are you? Is London where you want to go because of work?

If youngest teen year 9…. You could feasibly move summer 2028?

have you spoken to. Neighbour currently on market to see whether they’ve had much interest?

Probably just buy a B&Q kitchen. Don't spend too much because the people who buy your home will probably buy it to knock 2 bedrooms into 1 larger one and want to put in their own new bathrooms and kitchen.

I don't mind things being outdated or not to my taste as long as its good to go. The most important thing is that it's immaculate and liveable. So I wouldn't mind an avocado bathroom (70s original) or pine kitchen as long as they're in good working order and clean.

My current house I knew that it needed replastering and decorating top to toe (not just to refresh) but that everything was otherwise clean and sound.

I’m 6 hours away from London, and yes it’s because of work (and life in general but mostly work).

it’s summer 2029 when we’re moving. The youngest of the teens will stay here.

we could stay an extra year, but I think that would mess up the 11+ for the youngest one.

but if you’re moving to London…. London doesn’t have the grammar school system

Moving 6 hours away to London of all places with an 11 year old, 16 year old and 17 year old on a tight budget… you’re brave!

The youngest teen will stay 6 hours away from you??!

Yeah with their mum!

so we only need a house for 3 people (+pets).

and our budget is on the healthier side of things, we just didn’t have it when we moved to this house

And you’re ok moving 6 hours away from your teen? I can’t get my head around this op I’ll duck out

I will say though 11 plus not relevant to London

So the teen is your husband’s from a previous relationship?

Correct!

the deal was that we’d wait until our youngest went to secondary school school, but due to catchment areas (11+ is an option for some of the schools we’ve seen) etc…. The deadline is summer 2029

And your husband is happy moving 6 hours away from his son so you can get a more fulfilling job?

So not London… neighbouring counties. Very expensive OP

It’s not just more fulfilling is higher pay too. And yes, it’s only one year before they go to uni. Out of the 3 kids we at least were able to send off 2 of them to uni!

You said it was the reason why you couldn’t move sooner

No that’s to wait for all kids! We can’t move any later that 2029.

And do you have contacts in London? Any experience? Been head hunted? It just seems to up and move to London at this time of your life with dependent children, when you’re in a property much much cheaper than the south east and in negative equity as it…. Well, maybe not the best course of action.

When was the last time you went to London op?

There's no point in doing anything now, If it's livable for you. 4 years is a long time.

it might be the perfect house for someone -someone wanting WFH or 'hobby' rooms rather than lots of bedrooms

don't waste money putting new kitchens/bathrooms in. It's money you'll want to recoup, they're expensive to do! Just sell it for a lower price.

negative equity might be a consideration in 4 years, or it might not. But you won't improve your situation by spending a lot of money on it,

Yes I’ve got a fairly decent support network in London.

my current company’s HQ are in London and they’ve asked me to move over there.

my line of job is always on demand but obviously I get remote salaries as opposed to London based.

I’ll make at least 50% more (not even a promotion!) and as much as it’s in negative equity, we have - deposit of at least £350k (this precise moment). So all things considered we think we’ll be ok with the big move.

You said you’d move but not for another 4 years?

are you bored and unfulfilled in your job op? 4 years is a long time to wait. Especially if you hate your home environment and the area generally.