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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have become a bit obsessed with this house?

216 replies

dreamhouse2020 · 09/12/2020 12:06

Like many of us, I like a bit of fantasy house shopping on Rightmove.

I am planning to move but in 3-5 years so not just yet.

I've found a house I really like. Really really like. Thing is, it's not my 'dream' house. It has a nice garden (plot in total is half an acre) but it's not surrounded by masses of land. It's not a beautiful old manor house or cute country cottage. But there's something about it that has drawn me in. I have viewed the Rightmove page 100s of times now. It's not far from my DP so we took a drive out to it and nosed through the windows (it's an estate sale, vacant possession) and that made me love it even more.

I can't buy it yet as we simply couldn't raise the money needed, I have about 25% in cash but I don't earn enough to get a mortgage for the rest on my own, and DP pays himself only just above min wage. Plus it needs money spending on it, and neither of us are in a position to move right now. If it was for sale in 3 years time that would be perfect.

So I know it's not meant to be, but still...I really need to find a distraction (this was a distraction from being sad about lockdown, working from home, feeling isolated etc but has now become an obsession. Every day I check that it's not been sold!). Any suggestions? - other than hoping for a lottery win/ mystery inheritance.

OP posts:
RayOfSunshine2013 · 10/12/2020 21:20

A lovely garden but imagine the costs of renovation of the inside Shock Looks like my nans house 15 years ago

numberoneson · 10/12/2020 21:26

I can quite understand why you love it! All that light going into it and the Wisteria growing along it, the pond, the open countryside - it'd do me and my animals splendidly if I didn't have horses too. (I live in a 1900's little croft house with such tiny windows you need the lights on all day even in summer - but hey, I have 17 acres for the critters so I shouldn't complain.) But I do love that house too!

Creativenina · 10/12/2020 21:49

I think the house is in a gorgeous setting and it certainly has potential. I can see why you love it. You can do so much to the house and it has an amazing size garden.
I frequently go on rightmove and look at properties. I find it therapeutic in a way. I get inspiration and ideas and it’s nice to dream about owning a bigger property that we can’t afford. I like to see how other people have done up their homes and gardens.

DonttouchthatLarry · 10/12/2020 21:51

@Enidblyton1

Ah it’s good to see some love for Ellesmere! To be fair, when you visit somewhere you only get an impression based on looks - I saw derelict canal buildings, young kids smoking spliffs and lots of weeds at the edge of pavements! Just a feeling of being unloved - but it sounds like I went on a bad day?!
Ellesmere or Ellesmere Port?
Finfintytint · 10/12/2020 22:15

Likely to be Ellesmere donttouchthatLarry. Bit of a druggies problem there like many small market towns. Ellesmere has its fair share of addicts.

Celestine70 · 11/12/2020 00:34

It looks very nice.

ChestnutStuffing · 11/12/2020 00:40

I can see the appeal, it has some nice features and nice light.

I'll tell you a story that might make you feel better. Some years ago I was moving to the city for work. I happened to notice the most amazing house for sale - the house I never knew I wanted you could say. It was affordable too, but the location was impossible for the job. I kept looking at the house until it sold, though.

And I kept thinking about it for the next ten years.

Then one day, I was looking for an airbnb, and noticed the place was listed. I wondered if they were selling it and that was why it was being let. I checked, and there is was, it had only been up a few days.

Things had changed in my situation, and although we had no plans to move, my spouse was willing to consider it - which was shocking in itself. We went to see it, and he was besotted. So we bought it.

You never know what might happen down the road.

sst1234 · 11/12/2020 01:41

With around £100k spent to bring into 21st century, that house could be really quite something. Amazing find, OP.

6079SmithW · 11/12/2020 02:09

YABU - that wood ceiling in the kitchen! Xmas Shock

However, I am in a similar position to you @dreamhouse2020 and I'm afraid the only way I could stop was a self imposed Rightmove ban. Complete and utter.

If there really is no way you can buy it now then hankering after it will only make you unhappy. Also you really don't want the fantasy of what it might have been to be the yardstick by which you measure houses when you are in a position to buy - it'll be very difficult to find something that will live up to it.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 11/12/2020 05:15

It's been on the market a long time.

I'd go visit... It may put you off or fall in love with it...

There's nothing to stop you offering what you can afford?

Or you could ask whether they would consider renting to you, with an option to buy at x amount in 3/4 years time..... By then you may decide you hate the house /area! These type of contracts have a name... Whuch I cant recall!

c75kp0r · 11/12/2020 05:46

A PP thought you'd need to extend the kitchen, but on the plan it is 12 foot x 20ft which is a decent size - though it's odd they don't have a fridge of all things. I think the wooden ceiling is nice :)

Chailatte20 · 11/12/2020 05:56

Look at the areas surrounding Ellesmere Port like the rest of the Wirral, Bebington, West Kirkby, Neston. Ellesmere is also a 30/40 min drive from Liverpool, Chester & Manchester. So it's well placed for City trips as well, best of both worlds.

Tzimi · 11/12/2020 06:34

It's a nice looking house, but I think it would cost a bit on upkeep. I'd also be a bit worried about the 'F' rated EPC.

JonHammIsMyJamm · 11/12/2020 08:26

@Chailatte20

Look at the areas surrounding Ellesmere Port like the rest of the Wirral, Bebington, West Kirkby, Neston. Ellesmere is also a 30/40 min drive from Liverpool, Chester & Manchester. So it's well placed for City trips as well, best of both worlds.
It’s not Ellesmere Port. It’s Ellesmere in Shropshire Smile, different place.
VinylDetective · 11/12/2020 10:40

@sst1234

With around £100k spent to bring into 21st century, that house could be really quite something. Amazing find, OP.
It could be updated for a fraction of that. There’s no way it would cost that amount.
ClaireP20 · 11/12/2020 10:45

That's lovely, you could do so much with it. All I see is potential..yes really lovely x

Tinselandbaubauls · 11/12/2020 10:45

I agree it’s in a beautiful setting. The gardens are gorgeous but it needs an absolute fortune spending on it. It’s very 80’s looking but yes it could be stunning and the surroundings alone would make me fall in love. I fell in love with a house once. We put in an offer and it got accepted but ours wasn’t Sold and we lost it. I cried for weeks!

ClaireP20 · 11/12/2020 10:45

Now is the time to buy, you'd save on stamp duty! Can't you find a way OP?

Ddot · 11/12/2020 12:25

Put a stupid offer in, you never know

gottakeeponmovin · 11/12/2020 12:31

I'm not really sure why you love it but if you do then go for it

ginghamtablecloths · 11/12/2020 12:55

I dream about the perfect house. There are two cottages within walking distance of me which I adore. In reality there's a problem as both were sold then came back on the market at reduced prices. I'd have to win the lotto to buy either - but then whatever is wrong would have to be put right - and could become a money pit. So this will remain a fantasy.

Tzimi · 11/12/2020 13:16

When I first moved to Cambridge, there was a house which looked a bit like a castle, with towers & turrets. I thought it looked amazing! I don't think it was ever on the market though.

FreddieMercurysCat · 14/12/2020 11:34

It is a lovely house. Quite honestly, the work could be done over a number of years - and its Ellesmere! Beautiful place (we only live about 45 min drive away). I can see why you're drawn.

PussyMalanga · 14/12/2020 11:40

It says it's sold!

sosotired1 · 14/12/2020 11:41

We just bought something similar... and never thought we would either after a series of Victorian etc. houses. We love our house and it looks completely different now with a very inexpensive face lift! I think it would be a great buy. Looks like you could live in it as is for a few years. Are you sure you couldn't afford it? A good idea to ask if they would rent it to you with first refusal etc. you just don't know their situation. I would explain your situation and you might find them amenable. Also, do talk to a good mortgage broker. We ended up a let-to-buy mortgage on our old house so we could buy the new one (had never considered it until the mortgage broker suggested it).