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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to knock on their door with photos?

49 replies

RainbowAura · 27/08/2017 02:29

I have just moved back to the village I lived in as a child 30+ years ago. I noticed my old house has been sold. My Dad built this house with three of his acquaintances (they bought a plot big enough for four houses, helped each other and had one each). I have a few photos of the house being built and shortly after we moved in. WIBU to knock on the door when the new owners have settled in, introduce myself and offer to show them. I am aware they could think this is either sweet or totally nuts. What do you all think? I will go with the consensus!

OP posts:
Bimbop5 · 27/08/2017 02:33

I think that would be really neat to see if someone turned up at my house with photos. I would want to see them. I've always wondered what our house first looked like and the land around it.

UnderslungBowlingBall · 27/08/2017 02:33

Sweet but a tad nuts right off the bat. Maybe ask if you can look around, say your dad built it and you'd like to see how it's changed since the photos you have?

Hmmalittlefishy · 27/08/2017 02:36

Can you print off some copies of them and say you have brought them some as they thought they may be interested to see
A bit less in your face than sitting showing them one by one Smile
They may ask you in to talk anyway or chat about it another day

Original poster
RainbowAura · 27/08/2017 02:36

Underslung Grin

Wouldn't asking to look round be even nuttier?

OP posts:
Hmmalittlefishy · 27/08/2017 02:37

I wouldn't ask to look around I would hate for a stranger to do that when I'd just moved in

Original poster
RainbowAura · 27/08/2017 02:39

To clarify, I wasn't thinking of going in, just showing them on the doorstep. Copies are a good idea though. If I decide to do it I could just leave them and run if the vibes aren't great.

OP posts:
Whowouldfardelsbear · 27/08/2017 02:41

We had that in our house in NZ. A British couple who'd lived in it in the 1970s were in NZ on holiday and popped by. The wife was walking around screeching with delight at what had and hadn't changed. The DH just stood in a corner going "Yes dear, yes dear".

I didn't mind at all and thought it was lovely to be able to make somebody's day so easily. If they'd had photos, I'd have been intetested in looking.

UnderslungBowlingBall · 27/08/2017 02:48

I don't know, I did it once with my mum and the people were fine with it, the girl who lived there went on to become one of my best friends. Prefix your statement with "I used to live here, my dad built it" then wait and see if they invite you in, if they do then wait a bit and maybe if they're not busy? Obviously don't make "can I look at your house" your opening gambit Grin

Italiangreyhound · 27/08/2017 03:06

A fabulous idea.

JonHammAndCheese · 27/08/2017 03:08

You could try sending them a card with a couple of photos in it and a note explaining you used to live there, moved back, etc. That leaves the ball in their court with no pressure. I'm pretty sure you know their address. Grin

Plipplops · 27/08/2017 03:09

I think it's a lovely idea

QuestionableMouse · 27/08/2017 03:09

I think copies is the way to go. I'd love photos of my house being built because the area has changed quite a bit in the years since! (It was built in 1901 though so no a realistic prospect!)

bear28 · 27/08/2017 03:11

Personally I'd go for it. People absolutely love to hear about the history of the house. They have clearly bought it for some reason and seeing how it was before would be a lovely gesture!

Out2pasture · 27/08/2017 03:15

I visited dd and noticed an older woman peering at the house. I went and said hello; she told me she was born in the house and lived there until she married and wanted to know about the back yard....
the house was still under renovation and had 101 workers through it over my days (helping my daughter move in).
she toured the house, told us stories of when it was split in two and her aunt and uncle lived upstairs. showed us where bathrooms kitchens and stairwells use to be etc.
she cried a little tear but overall was happy with the changes and enjoyed meeting the little family that had taken over the labor of love.
as a thank you she forwarded me a few photo's of the house circa 1940.
I had the nicest of the photo's done up as a special print for my dd and her dh.

AGrinWithoutACat · 27/08/2017 07:06

I have pictures of the previous owners given to us by our neighbour, was shown round by the descendant of the original builders. Had an old gent who lived hear in the '50s stop and chat and tell me stories. Have the original deeds and planning drawings for the extension that was added in the '70s. DHs best friend is a xGreat nephew of the original builder and I know a chunk of history about them too - I love it and will keep it all safe for any future owners too.

NormaSmuff · 27/08/2017 07:12

you coudl probably look the interior of the house up on the web, particularly if it has recently chagned hands.
I did that

Iruka · 27/08/2017 07:20

Go for it but be prepared that they may not be interested. Not everyone is I am afraid.

rumbelina · 27/08/2017 07:33

I would LOVE to see photos like that.

UrsulaPandress · 27/08/2017 07:50

Yes go for it. We love finding photos of our house on the inter web. DH bought one and had it framed for me.

AlpacaLypse · 27/08/2017 07:52

We've had this in both directions. It was fascinating to hear all about our current home from previous owners, and I was fascinated to see what had been done with my childhood home. And very pleased that the new family were a proper family who lived there all year round not a London family using it only for odd weekends which so many of the nice cottages round here have become.

Isadora2007 · 27/08/2017 07:55

Definitely do it! I'd love someone to do that here. I've always wondered about when (or even if?)the upstairs got added. Some say it's original but others have suggested during the war...

MrsExpo · 27/08/2017 07:59

I'd make copies, pop in when you see them knocking about just to introduce yourself as a new neighbour/welcome to the village etc. Then hand them the pics and say that your dad built the house, you hope they'll be as happy living there as you were and you thought they might like the pictures as a keepsake.

If they invite you in for a cuppa, great. If not, you can walk away knowing you've tried to be welcoming. Definitely go for it.

wowfudge · 27/08/2017 07:59

Do it - offer them copies too. I found a drawing of our house from an architecture journal for sale when we were in the process of buying our house. I bought it and had it framed. They won't think you are barmy.

steff13 · 27/08/2017 08:00

I'd love it.

Bluntness100 · 27/08/2017 08:01

I think uou should yes. My house is very old, about 400 years, and rhe previous owners, who lived here' over 30 years, said an old lady turned up once, in her eighties and informed them she had stayed fhere as a child, on a visit, and showed them pics.

I also had someone quote for some work, and rhe company owner came out, she said she couldn't believe it when she saw the address, as she amd her sister had stayed as a child and showed me some photos. She'd called her sister to say, you'll never believe where I'm going.

Another woman turned up for something else, and as she left she said " I have a postcard of your house",

Anything that tells me the history etc I find interesting, so definitely go. However let them offer to show you round don't ask. Some folks are weird about that,

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