I cannot find a single house that I like in London costing less than 700k.

[QuintessentialShadows]

I despair.

It is either me being spoilt, or.....

gah.....

Oh Quinty!

We did tell you ... (annoying post of the century).

That's SW London for you.

I know you did.

The ONLY place is the exact same area as I lived in before, and totally LOVED, but where I am allergic to the horsehair used in the plaster. Just look at this fab house: beautiful house

How do you know it hasn't been replastered?

I dont, but I cant risk it, as I will get very ill. I can of course ask the agent....

You really can't find a house in London for less than 700k, am I missing something?

There are plenty of houses less than 700k, but not in the area I want to live (ie, where we used to live and where we have family and friends), and which suit us and our lifestyle. Ie, have 3 bedrooms and either a study or big enough garden for us to build a garden office (read shed with a window)

I am guessing I must be spoilt. Or houses are just too blardy expensive.

Oh what a shame

I can do without the irony. I do want to move back, to the same size house we used to live in. I seem totally ludicrous that houses are that expensive. A stones throw from where we used to live, houses sell for over 2 million. Ours was ex council, a small 3 bed cottage. I just want a small 3 bed cottage, not much more. It shouldn't be too much to ask!

Thats sarcasim not irony, try working with a budget of £70,000

You maybe need to think about lowering your expectations and find a new area.

You can have mine!! £695,000...it's lovely and no horse hair. But perhaps a less salubrious area than you're after. Think gang shootings and a friendly drug dealer opposite

You know what, deal with it.

A 3 bed semi in our area is £250k. We are 100 mile from London. Live somewhere else, deal.

Sorry. Our house cost us £201k, negative equity, moved out of ideal area, different situation.

Of COURSE you can find a 3 bed house, even in London for 700k. It might be 1/2 mile away from your ideal area (I understand that difference, I used to live in highgate)

They are too expensive in London there's no doubt about it. Would you consider another area? Honestly, you will find something you like, but it is hard

What happened your other house? I seem to remember you rented it out?

That house you linked to is lovely.

But London IS expensive. Especially the nice areas. Huge premium for them.

I'd suggest using a house hunting firm. We really struggled to find something in our budget and in the area we wanted in London. We employed a professional house hunting firm and they were great; it did cost us but they also negotiated a great deal for us and did all the leg work.

Buda, I had an allergy test just before moving, and came out with a whopping reaction for horse hair, and the walls in the house have horsehair in the plaster. Would explain why I had chronic sinusitis and needed antibiotics monthly. I was ill pretty much all the time. So, we cant go back there. But would have negative equity if we sell, so need to keep letting it. The rent covers the mortgage.

I assume it would be a huge messy and expensive job to replaster would it, or is it listed and can't be done?

If it was me and I liked it, I think I would swallow the cost as you'd have to pay a fortune in stamp duty anyway and do that.

I'm not sure if that is your house you linked to (and has horse hair plaster) or not...

But it is very reasonably priced for London.

No, it is not my house in the link, but a similar in the same neighborhood. The whole area is like a "cheap" pocket nestling in between much more expensive (mostly Victorian) houses, not a posh part at all, but surrounded by posher neighbors. Which is why I suppose they are more reasonable. They are also mostly ex council.

Maybe it really would be cheaper to replaster?

It is certainly worth looking into, as I much rather move home, (if it was not for my horrible asbo neighbour who delights in throwing rubbish and dogpoo at our property)

How much did they charge BlameIt? I thought you had to be very high end to make it worth it?

what is your budget QS? Might be easier for us to help you if we know that :). Do you have £700K?

no, I dont have 700k!!

4% stamp duty will pay for an awful lot of replastering