To consider buying a timber frame property?

[ChloeCC]

My dp and I have been trying to buy a place forever. We were scuppered by Brexit as people in our area all seemed to take their homes off the market as they waited to see what would happen. Then, just a few months after we left the EU on 31st January, Covid happened. I'm a bit desperate to move as we're living in a two-bed flat with a three-year-old and a baby (6 months).

While we were looking (2018-19) for houses there was a nice timber built house that we liked the look off. The fact that it was timber built and dated from just after WW2 is what put us off. In fact, it really put my partner off, me less so.

That property has been reduced by about £25000. It's under £200,000 now, which is very affordable for us - we have £50,000 saved.

Does anyone have experience of these types of property and getting mortgages on them? I've heard maintaining them can be an issue. The bloke selling has posted it all over fb, as well as with estate agents so he's obviously desperate. Why can't he sell? It's a 3-bed semi with a lovely garden and it's 'Swedish cottage' style.

You would be mad to consider it. There’s no way in hell I would purchase a house with a timber frame. Too much uncertainty and increased risk of it turning into a money pit

There's always a reason a house isn't selling. It's never a good one. Save your money and sanity, buy something else.

I've no experience in this but if you like the look of it, would it be worth investigating and paying for a full survey to get an idea of what you'd be dealing with?

I rented a timber framed flat. Just two flats in the building so together they were the size of a regular house.

When lorries drove past it would sway.

I kid you not.

If it’s not selling I would assume something is showing up on the survey that is putting people off, so proceed with caution - that’s a big reduction and would be alarm bells for me

Hi, the chances are you won't be able to get a mortgage on it. If (big if) you can, please remember to always think of your exit strategy - would you ever be able to sell it in the future?

So if you did manage to get a mortgage, mortgage companies can and do change their requirements and you may find when trying to sell it in the future that no-one will lend on it so please don't just think of now, think of the future.

It’s not really a timber frame property, that refers to something different. You’re looking at a Swedish timber house of non-standard construction. We have a lot locally which are ex-local authority but people seem quite happy to buy and live in them. They would be cheaper than privately and conventionally built houses. They are probably mortgageable with decent deposit which you have. My friends mum still lives in one and has done since 1947!

I grew up in a timber framed house. It literally fell apart in the end. For numerous reasons it wasn't maintained properly so yes they do require a lot of maintenance. Sorry, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole!

Thanks everyone, seems this isn't a great idea on balance...

My DSis owned a timber framed house with a mortgage and it was absolutely lovely. The risk is in paying for a full warts and all survey and seeing what a professional says the issues are/might be.

Harder to get a mortgage & home insurance on a non standard construction property.

I was just about to say as per the PP you would definitely want to look into insurance before making an offer as it will be harder to get and more expensive.

Someone I know well has lived in a timber framed house for the last 30 years with no problems at all. Their whole road is the same, houses sell reasonably easily, although for less than conventional built houses.

It felt perfectly normal inside, i would never have noticed anything different.

I don't think you'd get a large mortgage on one though.

Completely depends on the exact construction method.

A significant number of new houses are timber framed these days and/or use modern methods of construction.

If it's relatively new it should have a 10 year warranty and likely will be approved by most mortgage lenders - after all they have more to lose than you if the house isn't structurally stable so would never actually lend you the money if it wasn't safe.