How bad is it....

[Iamnotagoddess]

To be seriously considering selling my Victorian house (which needs a lot of maintenance) for a brand new Barrett home?

Period features do nothing for me- only issue is property prices, Victorian houses sell quickly and you can add value. How much maintenance does it need? How long do you foresee yourself living in a new build?

I would. I had a Victorian house once. Was a total money pit. Sold it and bought a 1970s box. Right choice.
Do you want to own your house, or do you want it to own you?

I moved from a house built in 1903 to a Barrett house. The old house was a money pit, if you have loads of money or are good at DIY that's fine but that wasn't me. Some people like to slag off Barrett houses but I've been here 13 years and have had no problems.

It needs some expensive stuff doing to it and I am wondering if it’s worth it when I actually want a better garden and off road parking etc.

There is a new development near a place we love going to - I just feel like it’s a bit of a sell out

not

I think they are quite gorgeous

I'm a new build fan, just do what works for you!

I’m a period property fan and I would trade for a modern house.... but not one with boxy rooms situated on an estate. But I am not you.... live where you want to and not where you think you ought to based on other people’s perception of what’s right.

What do they have that my Victorian house doesn’t have..?

We have an open fire but the rest of the house is freezing in the winter.

If you don't like your house and prefer another house, and can afford to move then do so. 🤷‍♀️

I have felt committed to doing everything to this house and 13 years later am still going and just think omg I am never going to get there.

I also feel a bit guilty as my elderly neighbours who have no family would be gutted.

Have you viewed one in real life?

We saw one that on paper and Rightmove ticked every box. 5 double bedrooms across three floors, obviously all new. Looked massive from the outside.

Got inside and the hallway didn’t even have space for a shoe rack or coat hook. The bathroom doors didn’t open fully and whacked into the sinks.

The garden was smaller than a postage stamp overlooked by about 8 other houses.

There must be a compromise?

I grew up in a house built in 1901, and lived there as an adult. I had to buy a 1950’s house because it’s what I could afford.
I can paint the walls and ceiling with a step - Victorian house needed scaffolding for the stairs and the walls were so so high. I can buy stuff for the current house at b and q, new random specialist tradesmen needed when a bit falls off. Windows, they are square and in the right places.
A more modern house would have sockets and you can run cables inside the walls.
I’ve been eyeing up new builds

The thing is op, if it's freezing in winter, it's in need of expensive repairs, then you're living in a house you can't or don't wish to afford.

As such, move somewhere you can or do wish to afford. There is no point being miserable, living in a freezing house in need of repair simply because it's Victorian. That's crazy.

It’s not because it’s Victorian.

It’s where I brought up my kids on my own and struggled to pay the mortgage etc and now we have started making big changes my attention has been drawn to a new build

We moved from a beautiful little period cottage to a new build about 8 months ago and it's been BRILLIANT! Everything works, nothing leaks, there's no damp and I don't worry about the roof every time there's a bit of rough weather.

@Iamtheworst

With you

My house is so wonky

I worry constantly about needing a new roof!!

We had a leak a while back.

Well, a friend of mine recently moved to a new build, and was a real eye opener!
They were able to choose all the fixtures and fittings for the kitchen and bathrooms.
They sold their over priced Victorian very quickly as it was a, 'desirable area,' and got a 4 bedroom new build.
Love how there is space for everything, closet for shoes/wellies, a downstairs loo, a utility room, underfloor heating..
Am a total convert and slightly envious.

Sold an Edwardian house. Now in a new build.

Whilst I don't miss the ongoing upkeep, I do miss the space, and the big windows, and the fireplaces.

Will incorporate some of those features in our new home.

Oh, I also miss the solid walls! Hanging pictures and heavy mirrors seems quite involved.

We live in a semi with off road parking for 3 cars.

I'd sacrifice a hell of a lot for off road parking, I'd hate to have the parking wars people on here have to put up with. Victorian features, whatever, they ain't all that!

We have parking wars. These houses have OFP and a garage.

We want a detached but there might only be semis left - is a detached all that?

The new houses have ORP sorry.

This past year we sold a fixer upper and built a brand new house cannot tell you how good it feels not worrying what'll break next

We put a new kitchen in 4 years ago.

Can I take my range oven to a new house?