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We’re selling our house in 4 years, and quite frankly as much as it’s liveable for whoever buys it, it does look outdated.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

I have read the thread and my head is spinning! OP this plan sounds… well, mad. Thankfully not for 4 years away and I would wager a lot that by the time the time comes, the more to London doesn’t happen.

I would focus on your NOW, which sounds - a bit shit.

how long ago did you move into current home ?

The move to London WILL happen that one has no ifs no but and no coconuts.

Ive been counting the days for at least 10 freaking years!

Theres no chance it won’t happen. The only thing that would be the planner in the works is if work transfers me to LA or I find another job with relocation.

Ive been counting the days for at least 10 freaking years!

that is depressing

how long ago did you move in?

To this house? 4 years. To the area 11 years

So you’ve only been in your job for less than 4 years and yet pinning so much on it.

anyway having read the thread op, it’s clear that this 15 year plan is what keeps you going. So if you need the plan to keep going, then you do whatever you need to do 💐

I would bet you’re ND, I’d bet a LOT

The only thing that I’m pinning on this job is the move to LA.

my type of role (which I’ve been doing for almost 14 years one way or the other) is what the plan is based on.

im fairly confident though about it though. I’ve managed to get jobs fairly quickly and with a pay rise since Covid.

It’s a long story, but basically I’ve always worked remotely and had a “London job” for many years, got made redundant, remote jobs weren’t a thing back then so had to start from scratch.

in 4 years I’ve more than tripled my salar.

and yes I’m suspected ND, still waiting for assessment.

Yes, I’m not even the slightest bit surprised.

LA… so now you’re talking about Los Angeles?

Good heavens OP

This reminds me so much of my ND sister. So bright but life is a struggle and endless plans to try to improve life but ND stops the wheels from actually ever getting in motion.

Yea I’d love to move to LA! It’s totally my city, but I’m obviously not counting on it happening, it’s more a pipe dream than anything else

Like I said I’ve made improvement on other sides of my life.

like you know training consistently for hyrox, running marathons, getting better jobs, going in 5 star holidays, having niceish cars, getting designer bags and jewellery, etc….

the house was just the bottom priority but it isn’t anymore

Oh OP

I’ve read bits of the thread including the last 4 or so pages…just wanted to show you some solidarity OP as I don’t understand why everyone is so aghast / confused by your situation!

1. people saying it sounds cramped - it’s 5 bedrooms, albeit small. Your teens don’t share (many in the country do). It’s not a mansion but it’s more space than a lot of people have??
2. you bought a house that you don’t actually like living in. We all make mistakes. It’s hard knowing what a house will feel like esp with a big family in it until you’re living in it, at which point it’s too late. Don’t beat yourself up. You’re planning to do something about it.
3. 4 years isn’t that long to wait to move. People saying “just move” - you would be paying thousands in stamp duty to then just move again in a couple of years when you want to move area. I think that would be crazy! Your 4 year plan sounds like you’re being sensible
4. when you change area the teen you’ll “leave behind” will be 20/21 (currently 17/18 if in year 13). This isn’t abandoning a teen!
5. it’s perfectly normal / acceptable to move area, and to delay that move until after your older kids finish school. It wouldn’t be acceptable to uproot them all currently.

having said all that I’m ND and have lived all over the place, both U.K. and abroad, so maybe my brain is not aligned to normal 😂

Btw How can you be in negative equity if you have fully paid off your property?

do you mean you’ll have to sell for less than your purchase? That’s not negative equity

Yes that’s basically what I mean.

This thread is…. Like a comedy show.

Show this thread to the assessor. I think all they will need to read is your plans (throwing in LA in the final throes!) in order to diagnose.

The thread actually made me feel very worried for my ND son. This Op clearly is ND and seems to have been planning change for a decade, and even now the plan for change isn’t for another 4 years.

The focus will come in fits and starts, intense planning and excitement followed by disinterest. And it will go on and on

The London plan won’t happen I think and as for the sudden inclusion of LA as an option???

I worry this will be similar for me son 😢

I don’t understand why people think it won’t happen…. If anything I make things happen.

just because of life is that I haven’t been able not because of lack of drive ….. I just haven’t been able to!

Pretty much word for word what I can imagine my son saying

If it’s “niche” and needs updating eg 30yr old kitchen then the electrics, boiler and so on will all need doing. You would be better pitching it to “the opposite of you” eg somebody that is looking for a project so they can remodel it and make it a fit for purpose home for them rather than you spending on it. Once you do a little the rest will look worse!
There are plenty of people that would relish the opportunity of what you will be selling.

why 4 years? If it’s bothering you now could you move sooner?

Yes, well I haven’t been able to move due to custody arrangements nothing to do with my lack of drive

I think I disagree with this, because students need desks. 2 upstairs rooms and a downstairs one look a bit small for beds, desks and clothes. And ideally students prefer at least some double beds.

I don't think you should spend much if anything on it. A "paintable" kitchen is good. Maybe change the paint in the bathroom, but tiling etc is a big job. I've been massively put off a house by b&q basics tiling jobs that were clearly DIYed for sale. Investing anything more here sounds like a less good decision than spending that same money on a new home. But ask some agents round, they will advise you for free.

One idea that springs to mind is whether you could "hollow out" the space under the stairs and incorporate it into useable space in the study. This would make the room's footprint and measurements look significantly more useable than a 5'9" room. I'd be wanting to sell the idea either that it can be a second living/TV room (hang TV on the wall under the stairs), or it can be a spacious study for the children who have the smaller rooms upstairs. It would be a way to make the smaller bedrooms look more livable into teenage years.

I set you a challenge..,, if you get that garage conversion sorted in the new year and move in to your new home office and gym…. Come back and post a photo?

Because that’s when at least 2 out of the 3 older DC will be in uni, and would be the least disruptive for the youngest one.