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Original poster

Are there ANY disadvantages to buying an ex-showhome??

97 replies

Fangache · 10/10/2005 13:06

I'm going to view an ex-showhome soon. It looks lovely! But the price is a little bit less than I would have expected for an ex-showhome!

Do they tend to be a bit cheaper than the price of the brand new houses around them? And are there any reasons NOT to go for a showhome. Its amazing!!! 4 bed detached in a very good area for OO £136k !

OP posts:
LIZS · 10/10/2005 13:09

Wow sounds an excellent price. Is it being sold by the builder (who may now no longer need it if all the others of that style are reserved) or is it being sold on ? Think it is normal to have a premium on brand new ones because you get choice of fittings and finishes.

Original poster
Fangache · 10/10/2005 13:12

It'll probably go for around £150k. Thats what I think we'll offer if we like the look of it in the flesh!

OP posts:
sweetkitty · 10/10/2005 13:13

wow sounds fab go for it!

Lucycat · 10/10/2005 13:14

Is it on the 'entrance' to the development? maybe that's why it's a bit cheaper, noisier road? not sure really, if it's nice then go for it - at least you'd hope that it's been well fitted out if they've had joe public examining it!

piffle · 10/10/2005 13:15

my in laws say that all of your neighbours know everything about your house.....

skerriesmum · 10/10/2005 13:19

Only thing I can think of is maybe the fittings aren't great quality, but just "look good"? Like maybe the carpet is loose.

seb1 · 10/10/2005 13:21

Where abouts Fangache? Check on nethouseprice.com to see what new and resales on estate are going for

Advantages - Back garden turfed, alarmed, curtain poles, reduction in price as you don't get to pick your kitchen, sometimes high fence in back garden for keeping small people in, estate finished so no more builders, more fixtures and fitting, less hassle as you already have carpets etc, quite often builders just want a quick sale and get offsite (we nearly bought one I said to agent I thought it was over priced and she said make an offer they will probably take it)

Disdvatages - dont get to pick your kitchen etc,
pale carpets can be dirty with walking but at least it not somebody's dinner etc like if you buy a used house, all your neighbours have been in your house, geting builders to do snagging list

babyonboard · 10/10/2005 13:24

My cousin bought a showhome three years ago, she got a 40% discount on the price of similar houses in the development.
In her opinion it was great, and it still looks good now! The carpets, wallpaper etc seem to be excellent quality as they are all still good, and at such a reduction you can easily change them if they are shoddy or not your taste.
It was even better for her as it was her first home, and all furnishings, even bed linen and duvet covers etc were included, and as she works horrific hours it saved her a lot of hassle.

LIZS · 10/10/2005 13:24

Thinking about it more - friends had an ex-showhome and I wonder if ours was one too. We have oddities such as a fully tiled downstairs cloakroom in lovely avocado !

They tend not to be the best plots as they are often at the entrance to the development, so everyone else has to pass by, and have smaller gardens. They are also first to be built so may be finished internally nicely but a bit hastily built.

projectmanagerCOd · 10/10/2005 13:25

do thye plan to build more homes in the grassy area outside?
and do they throw in th e plastic food?

projectmanagerCOd · 10/10/2005 13:26

also the bed they use are oten 2 6 not 3 foot
a dn they don allow for tvs,three seater sofas ironing boards etc
think carefully abotu space

Gomez · 10/10/2005 13:26

Where about Toothy?

On the other hand don't buy it and then by my BoFA house next year........

seb1 · 10/10/2005 13:27

Post us a link if you have one, then not only all your neighbours but all of MN will have seen inside your house

seb1 · 10/10/2005 13:29

Are there any similar non showhouse lived-in ones for sale on the estate you can look at to see a RL house IYKWIM

Original poster
Fangache · 10/10/2005 13:36

Ex-Show Home

There it is.

OP posts:
projectmanagerCOd · 10/10/2005 13:40

well somone has lived there - no washing line in show homes toothy!

projectmanagerCOd · 10/10/2005 13:40

and LOVE spec of empty houses

Original poster
Fangache · 10/10/2005 13:41

Really Cod? They can't have lived there very long then, the houses are just built!

OP posts:
Original poster
Fangache · 10/10/2005 13:41

What do you mean COd "SPEC of empty houses"?? I'm a dunce.

OP posts:
projectmanagerCOd · 10/10/2005 13:42

washing line is odd imo

just be very carfeul that your stuff fits in
( not wanting to ruin your escitement) but is this hte best idea with things on the domestic front a littel uncertain

projectmanagerCOd · 10/10/2005 13:42

the spec.. specification

princesspeahead · 10/10/2005 13:42

toothy, I had no idea you were fangache! (duhhhhhh)

that looks fantastic - can't believe it is only £150k or whatever. That will buy you a 2 bed flat here in north wilts (or a horrible 2 bed 1980s ex council house about a third of the size of yours).

Go for it!

Original poster
Fangache · 10/10/2005 13:43

Cod - I would be moving whether DH was with me or not. Its all based on my earnings anyway and I have a nice deposit (hopefully!) from the house we're in just now, so I could easily afford it alone.

OP posts:
projectmanagerCOd · 10/10/2005 13:43

oh good

Original poster
Fangache · 10/10/2005 13:44

lol PPH, I should change back coz I'm confusing myself!!!

OP posts: