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We’re selling our house in 4 years, and quite frankly as much as it’s liveable for whoever buys it, it does look outdated.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

TBF is one of the better jobs I’ve had! But I really want much more in life than living in a coastal town hours away from London.

Like what? Genuine question.

i speak as a Londoner

what do you want more of?

Concerts (for one), museums, an actual zoo! Proper shopping (I love going to Mayfair).

nandos, Uniqlo, Sephora.

going to a cinema that has a screen with decent sound.

plays, opera, theatre….

nandos, ethnic food..

the list goes on.

I’m a city person (I was born and raised in a city of 22+ million) the countryside not the seaside has ever been my dream. I just ended up here by chance (and obviously my own choices).

How far out from London are you envisaging living op?

i am going to guess your husband isn’t quite so enthusiastic about the move?

seems bizarre talking about it when so far away!

He wants to move too! (He doesn’t like it either here!) but he’s less enthusiastic about London because he’s a country bumpkin.

and he also has to start from scratch from a job POV - which is realistically what I think makes him very “meh” about it.

To him any move regardless of where we go would end up with the same result for him as he’s not qualified in anything, so most likely he’ll end up having to go into retail.

from a logistical POV we’re thinking NE London as he’d be much closer to his family who all live in East Anglia.

Start from scratch in middle age? Yes, that is going to be hard

NE London…. Presumably not central?

my 2.5 bed flat I rented in West Hampstead was £2050. £17 years ago

He’s not qualified in anything?

he struck gold with you op.

As long as I can get a night bus I’m happy!

and no he’s only got GCSEs I don’t even know in what.

He’s been lucky to be able to find semi well paid manual work, but he’s still not qualified in anything just has the experience.

So how far out are you thinking? And will have to be in the grammar system?

No it doesn’t have to be a grammar school, but that’s my preference.

we’ve looked into Winchmore Hill.

i prefer the SW (around Clapham) as that’s where most of my friends live.

Clapham? Op…, maybe look on right move at the cost of properties

If you’ll be in negative equity, does that mean you’ll have to get a cheaper property than current?

We’d be able to buy that house for example.

Of course not! We own our house basically outright, we just get another mortgage (to top up for the new house).

I agree with PPs…. It is all a little odd Op.

Even the garage conversion sounds…. Interesting.

Ok, hopefully 4 years isn’t too tough.

that Ok, I know I’m fairly unorthodox in more ways that one ;)

And unfortunately sound very unhappy, so maybe trying a more orthodox approach would be sensible?!

anyway… good luck!

I would be even unhappier! But im
not unhappy I just don’t like my house nor where I live that doesn’t mean I’m depressed!

the thing that will bring the biggest upgrade in my quality of life will be when I live within the London periphery

Not liking your house; not liking your full time office; not liking the surrounding area to you…. I’m not prone to feeling down, but bloody hell that would bring me down. And to know that no change for years to come - yes, I would watch out for feeling very low myself

Oh op i think you are hinging everything on this move in 4 years to the periphery of London . You need someone in RL to get you a good shake

Many posters have tried it would seem!

But the house and where I live are out of my hands for now (or make little financial sense in many ways).

so instead I go on very nice holidays.

to me the status quo of things are just one of those things, like the sky is blue.

I for example don’t regret going on some of the holidays I’ve been (like the California trip this year) even if that means I still have my tiny desk.

those things will eventually change, the chance of going on an awesome trip with everyone won’t happen as often.

you're better off moving to birmingham or midlands for east anglia than london

and if I were you I'd be sticking a garage conversion on credit card or a stud wall up somewhere for a zen office space... I've seen lovely garden offices

get ordering some frenchic or similar paint and paint kitchen cupboards, paint bath panel and bathroom walls, change the taps and cupboard door handles etc
simple small upgrades to freshen your home

it's all well and good dreaming of your move 5 years or whatever in the future but you live in the right now.

Yes but I don’t want to live in Birmingham, I mean it’s cool and everything but:

a) my ex (and my ex MIL) live there so thanks fl it no thanks

b) my friends and most career opportunities are in London.

In order to keep progressing my career I need to be within London, as most roles are hybrid.