Do you/did you own a Victorian terraced house? If so, pro's and con's please....

[Lizzer]

We're soooo tempted to a very reasonable 5 bed in a lovely location with some stunning original features that needs work (every room). But dp in 'the trade' so we could do it up, at a push to our finances (and stress levels probably).....

Also, baby on way in dec and dd 7, are we mad??! please let me know your experiences as a way of adding to the mass of info we are trying to collect....

(Also, sorry in advance if I don't get back to this thread til tomorrow, have friends coming round now )

thanks for your top tips Bran, there is a takeaway about 900 metres away, and a steep banking behind the house which is woody. Its end of cul-de-sac and there are some horrid new builds (no really they are horrid, I'm not just being snotty) but the area looks tidy. I know the woman next door and she's a tidy lady so that's ok. will check out the other houses but I think they all look ok bar one and for rubbish too. Thanks again..

My Mum and Dad love modern builds, don't understand the fascination with the past. New is Better in their books. Don't know why save for my dad being a project manager in construction, in his dream world they'd live in a grand design's style wacky new build..... He's always wanted to build his own house, I hope he realises that dream when he retires....

the are going to hate this (ooops, nearly said my) house

People who like new builds like the nice straight walls, the 90 degree angles and dislike all those odd nooks and crannies that make fitting anything so difficult. Some people hate rattling sash windows and love double glazing. Some people find new builds cleaner. They like the thought of brand new carpets and kitchen appliances.

"Ahh I love the idea of falling in love with a house, I really think we could do it with this."

I think this is key. A house is not just a huge financial investment but it's also a touch-point for your family memories. It doesn't matter whether it's old or new, but there should be a sense of passion about it.

Four years ago we bought a massively overbudget, late-Victorian rambling house with a conservatory that teeters with every gale, a superb collection of 1970s pine and avocado bathrooms and an ancient boiler that fires up with a roar so large the whole house shakes. The house soaks up huge quantities of both time and money but I love it and (when the roof isn't leaking) it still generate a glow of happiness.

I do think the basics need to be right (lack of garden might be an issue) and the house needs to be basically 'sound', but beyond that, if you love it, that is a reason to buy it.

Issy (fka Issymum)

We never had vermin in our Victorian house.We did in the modern one though.They were in the cavity walls.

I'd buy another Victorian/Edwardian house tomorrow,they are built to last.Im VERY envious of you Lizzer.

haven't read everything so I might be repeating

pros - bigger rooms, high ceilings, features if you like that sort of thing;

cons - expensive - you can get the same space for cheaper; lay out might not suit your life style (kitchen often separate from the rest of the house, at the back - not easy to link kitchen with a dining room/playroom etc)- this used to piss me off when dds needed a constant eye, but less now they are older; can be less well-built than you think - the Victorians had cowboys too

I wouldn't live in anything BUT an old house, so trying to be devil's advocate & think of cons...

Weird shared repairing arrangements! eg:
1)The steps to our front door fell down. We share them with next door. We were happy to pay 50% of repair. Next door wanted to go 25% each with the two properties at the front(ours is a back terrace 4 storey)...who are unaffected as these steps only give access to the back 2 houses, but who are legally jointly liable for all repairs at street level...

2. The water supply is controlled by a stop cock in one of the 'front' houses, occupied by a lady who is elderly, mildly confused, & occasionally shuts off everyone's water just for the hell of it...

Ok, thanks for your input everyone, I can't get enough of this info at the moment.....

We went to have another look with a friend who is a builder/roofer/property developer (handy) and he said that the roof was fine and it was a surdy, good build and there wasn't a lot of damp given the age of property and it would be cheap to fix,but that the gable end/wall need re rendering (£2000 ish) and house needs completely re wiring (£2000)

Sooooo, we had a tot up of all the work we were going to do including decorating, knocking through living room diner, and new carpets and it came to £20,000. GAH! But I guess I'm not used to dealing with such large amounts of money, dp still thinks it a bargain and next door went for ours+20k (and that needs work too). As someone (sorry forgotten who) said on here that Vic houses retain their value much more than old-new builds so it's probably worth it.

I'm just so scaaaaaared of making the wrong desicion and ending up in a manky house that we can't afford with a screaming baby who's cold!

Gosh I hate this. We're putting an offer in tomorrow I think, we just need to DO IT!

For anyone who's interested (and for my own dazed and startled self to start believing)........WE GOT THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all those who contributed to this, hopefully moving in 6 to 8 weeks. I'll be back, prob in tears through stress, but we're really very happy

Enjoy your new house!

Your house sounds a lot like mine, and I do love it. My tip: once you've got the initial works done, set up a fund for ongoing repairs and maintenance. In a big Victorian house, something will always be falling off, falling down, or going wrong.

Ours is a 3 bed victorian semi, i would say:

Pros:
Huge rooms, house like a tardis, gorgeous fireplaces and floorboards etc, spacious, loads of character.

Cons:
No parking, ours has a tiny garden though some are huge, dusty/damp, always something falling apart, sounds from next door.

just saw you got the house..(am blind)

Yay!!

Thanks,I'm still reeling from it all

Can't wait to get in especially as our toilet broke today and when landlord came round to fix it his workguy managed to leak all the water down theough the ceiling onto the tv, speakers etc. Hmm, thanks, now GET ME OUTTA HERE!!!!!

Fantastic news Lizzer - I truly hope and believe you will love your 'Victorian Old Lady' as much as we love ours!!