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Housekeeping

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Original poster

would you buy an UGLY house?

64 replies

lostintransit · 30/04/2012 21:35

House has come up for sale that we could afford and would be big enough. In an area we like and seems like very good value for money.

It is however UGLY and both myself and Dh seem to have become house snobs.

Is this ridiculous?

OP posts:

DaisySteiner · 01/05/2012 09:17

We did. The exterior of the house was much the same as the one you're looking at, except more windows! Actually the pebble dashing on ours was worse! We had the outside rendered and painted and it now looks really nice! I reckon if you could add an extra window or two and paint the render it would be transformed.

Pannacotta · 01/05/2012 09:20

I agree with BloooCow if you put lots of plants in the front and some climbers to soften the wall and redecorate (and I'd want to update the bathroom if it were mine) then it would look a lot better.
I'd be tempted to paint the render a less dismal colour and hope that it woudl encourage the neighbours to do the same.

pictish · 01/05/2012 09:25

Yes it's ugly - but the inside looks really good, and for that price it's a bit of a steal!

margerykemp · 01/05/2012 09:26

God that's an ugly house! Could you use the back as the front?

Honu · 01/05/2012 09:35

Bleak rather than ugly, from the photos. Could you not soften the look with plants (dig a hole near the house and plant something / pots / hanging basket). It all really depends on how much you dislike it - if emotionally you hate it then it's no good, but if you love its good points and realise that every house is a compromise in some way then go for it. BTW the back looks fab and, if you ever sell, make sure the agent shows those pics first!

EnjoyResponsibly · 01/05/2012 09:38

Crikey!

Everything except the front looks really nice, and it's a great price. How much time do you really spend looking at the front of your house?

All the high price rooms kitchen/bathroom look very nice, back garden and aspect very nice.

Buy it, put a nice porch on it and invest in some climbing roses.

margoandjerry · 01/05/2012 09:45

Yes it's ugly! This article is what you need:

asset1.homesandproperty.co.uk/handp/media/Binder1_21691.pdf

Scroll down to page 19. It's amazing what can be done. The downside is you are next to other ugly houses so it might look odd to tart yours up in a different look to the others. But, a new render, properly nice front door in nice surround, reinstated windows (where they've taken out some it seems?) would really help.

I think houses always look ugly when there appear to be windows missing. Like having a tooth missing iyswim.

TheCinnamonGiraffe · 01/05/2012 09:46

I'd buy it. Good area and walk able school runs are all good reasons to buy it. It is ugly at the front BUT I like the contrast and the surprise that your guests would get when they come in.

Is it the sort of area that you could have plants in pots up the steps to the front door and to cover up the gas meter box? that plus a porch roof across the front door would soften it a little.

queenrollo · 01/05/2012 09:50

I actually think that with some trellis up the side and over the front door and the right plant growing up it you would detract quite easily from how plain the front is. The eye would be drawn to that, because at the moment its such a flat imposing surface. As others have said stick some pots up the steps and around the front and I think it would look quite nice.
It's not so ugly you can't improve it's kerb appeal with a bit of imaginative planting, even if you didn't want to paint it.

nannyl · 01/05/2012 09:53

agree it really is an ugly

BUT inside it looks lovely.... and once you are in it you dont see the outside of the house.

if you can afford it and it meets your needs then go for it.... I would rather live comfortabley in an ugly house then be squashed into a prettier one

queenrollo · 01/05/2012 09:54

by the way have you been to view it?
Our house exterior looked really quite dreadful on the estate agent photos, mainly because it's painted a strong colour which just doesn't work on screen unless photographed very well indeed. We came to view purely because the inside looked perfect for us. When we got here we realised in the context of the street and in reallife it didn't look nearly as bad. We've replaced the windows (which were black and added to the doom look) with cream which has lifted the feel of the front elevation loads.

TooEasilyTempted · 01/05/2012 09:56

Gosh it is ugly. To be fair though the estate agent has done the house no favours with the awful photos - you'd have thought they'd at least move the wheelie bin away from the front door when they took the photo, and the interior pictures are dark and make it look gloomy. The kitchen and bathroom look great though so in terms of the interior, a lick of paint is all that's needed.

Outside, the paintwork next to the front door and on the handrails on the steps needs freshening up. It could do with a couple of planted pots and hanging baskets to brighten it up. Could you change the colour of the pebbledash?

I'd say for the price, it's a steal and has lots of potential.

LadyWithEDS · 01/05/2012 10:00

That is definatly an ugly house. I would keep looking if I were you OP, it will be very difficult to sell.

Thingiebob · 01/05/2012 10:06

I'm confused. There is so much you can do with the outside. Paint it a nice light colour, put loads of lovely flower boxes and climbers outside. Erect a lovely porch. All this can be done over time whilst you are enjoying the inside!

Don't pass up a nice sized affordable house in a good area near you family just because it is a bit dismal on the outside!

RachelHRD · 01/05/2012 10:34

Agree with other posters it's not attractive from the front but that could be improved with paint. plants. porch etc. The rest of the house is nice and good sized south facing garden (could do with work) and good area all a bonus and the price - well I'm in the S East and you coudn't get anything here for £60k!!!

MushroomSoup · 01/05/2012 12:12

Just had a look and I actually think its a cracking house for the money. The front is not picture-box pretty but it's not ugly, just drab.
Get a few plant tubs on the stairs and a hanging basket, a lovely door handle and a number plaque and it'll be a gorgeous home!
It's a bloody bargain! Kitchen's lovely!

Kaloobear · 01/05/2012 12:32

For that price I would buy it and not give a toss what it looked like from the outside! That's incredibly cheap and it's nice on the inside-the rooms look decent sizes too.

Floggingmolly · 01/05/2012 13:10

No! That's been hit so hard with the ugly stick it's a wonder it's still standing.
And what's with picture no. 5? Is that really a full room?

Abzs · 01/05/2012 13:11

Think of all the heat you'll save by not having windows to the north.

bibbitybobbitybunny · 01/05/2012 13:22

I was a bit about picture no. 5 too Molly. I wonder if that's the fifth bedroom. Pmsl at the EA speak "Five apartment villa".

Op - you're right, its hideous!

AgathaFusty · 01/05/2012 13:40

It is a bit grim, but would loads better with 1 or 2 new windows in and some greenery climbing up it and in the front to soften it.

Firawla · 01/05/2012 13:46

our house is quite ugly at the front - although it does have windows so a bit better than the one you linked but it does not look well presented at the front and doesnt have the 'curb appeal' etc. we got it for a very good price and its very spacious inside!! so i am not bothered about the ugly-ish front. we will do something about it at some point.
if the inside is good, it gets enough light inside, good area, etc - i wouldnt be put off by the front myself

Lexie1970 · 01/05/2012 14:23

My house is ugly. It is a horrible brown box, with no character at all. Hated its appearance on first viewing and still dislike it nearly 1 year later :(

However, the internal layout is fantastic, we have a lovely big garden and we are in a great village with a fantastic village school which my DS loves.

Friends and family told me to get a grip, as in all honesty how much time do you spend looking at the outside of your house ..... so true

Nothing is ever perfect but if the only negative is its appearance that is so easy to get past if everything else is right :)

trixymalixy · 01/05/2012 18:34

It is a bit ugly, but the inside space looks pretty good.

Id buy it for that price!!

Glittertwins · 01/05/2012 18:39

The estate agent want shooting if that was my house, the photos are awful! It does look quite odd to me from the outside but with plants and climbers it could look great. As others have said, you aren't going to be looking at it so if the inside suits you, go for it.

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