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Would you buy a really hideous looking house?

39 replies

spugglers · 16/11/2011 17:17

Not planning to move at the moment because we can't afford it but I have seen a house on the Market that has got me thinking.

We live in a Victorian two up two down, we don't have room to swing a cat. A house has come on the Market that is worth roughly the same as ours but it is very ugly. It is ex-council, 1960s, very boxy, strange slit windows but it is 4 bedrooms and way bigger than ours. Sometimes in magazines I see trendy london designers who own ugly homes but give them a really trendy interior and they get away with it.

Would you consider buying a house like this?

OP posts:
PeggyCarter · 16/11/2011 17:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pooka · 16/11/2011 17:23

Would depend on the price. If I felt that could buy it and prettify then might. The back to front house company (or similar) do amazing reconfig of ugly house fronts and if that was something I could afford and would not look too out of place in the surroundings, then wouldn't bother me if the house was ugly.

But if I was going to live with it forever, then prob not. Or house is Edwardian. We had loads of building work done inside which decimated the front garden - storage of materials and so on. Also had a revolting un period multi paned front door. The works in side were pleasing - but the thrill of the front garden being designed and planted and having a new door (replica in wood of original) was amazing because it boosts me every time I come home and see the front of the house looking beautiful. Has the frontage it deserves now and the planting design means there's always something to look at.

noddyholder · 16/11/2011 17:24

I would. You can re jig and design those houses to look amazing. I have been looking for a modern house/apartment preferably 60s/70s to renovate and can't find one!

thisisyesterday · 16/11/2011 17:26

yes

i bought the ugliest house ever.

we'd been house-hunting for a while and i'd been ignoring it because it was so ugly but the estate agent tricked me into looking at it, and inside it was JUST what we wanted.
so we bought it.

spugglers · 16/11/2011 17:30

I don't think we could change the outside because it is a sort of terrace and would look odd.

I don't think we will go for it at the moment as the timing is wrong but it things stay as they are right now might consider a house like this in the future.

I think I would feel a little embarrassed at living in the ugliest house I have seen but that is a bit snobby so I would have to just get over it!

OP posts:
spugglers · 16/11/2011 17:51

Noddy, where are you looking to buy?

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juneau · 16/11/2011 17:53

We've just bought an ugly 1970s house and plan to do some work to make it prettier. It's got loads of potential, which is why we bought it, but to look at it lacks curb appeal, for sure!

newgirl · 16/11/2011 17:53

yes - you could add a really expensive oak modern door, simple modern planters outside

gut the inside and go ultra modern - it could be fantastic

suburbandream · 16/11/2011 17:54

Like people, it's what's on the inside that counts Smile. We moved to what will probably be our "forever" home last year - or at least our "for a very long time" home, and it's not at all the home I always dreamed of. BUT it's in the right location, was the right place, good for schools, trains etc etc and we've made a start on making the inside look the way we want it to.

stressheaderic · 16/11/2011 17:55

God I would. You spend more time in it than looking at it.
Ours is ex-council and boxy - it looks like a Lego house but it doesn't bother me. It's neat and tidy at the front which is all that matters to me.

Gonzo33 · 16/11/2011 17:56

Without a doubt

bigbadbarry · 16/11/2011 17:59

How much time do you spend looking at the outside of your house? We have just recently moved from a pretty victorian red-brick, all carved out brickwork and pointy bits, to a 1970s pink monstrosity. No worries.

DoodleAlley · 16/11/2011 18:00

We bought ugly too. An ugly exterior got us and extra bedroom and more space generally.

One day we'll hopefully have the money to do something about it but for now it's home and I love it

cowboylover · 16/11/2011 18:04

Yeh I would! You can always improve it even if only a little and you can enjoy the extra space inside.

beALZebub86 · 16/11/2011 18:04

I want a link to this house on rightmove (or its location so I can search)!

How can you mention a property without lettings us ooh and aah at it?!

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 16/11/2011 18:04

New door, get it rendered or whatever, bit of tarting up outside.....i'd go for it tbh, it'll be fab !

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 16/11/2011 18:06

One of my friends lives in one, looks awful on the outside, fabulous inside.

spugglers · 16/11/2011 18:17

I can't do links but if you type berkhamsted 259000 you will find it. It doesn't have any details of the inside but I have seen similar properties before and they are spacious.

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beALZebub86 · 16/11/2011 18:43

Falcon Ridge?

spugglers · 16/11/2011 18:44

Yep thats the one.

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stressheaderic · 16/11/2011 18:48

Nowt wrong with that at all - brilliant inside!

Now, this, on the other hand...
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-20089566.html?premiumA=true

spugglers · 16/11/2011 18:50

Blimey I could get about 8 of them for the same price!

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SugarAndSpiceMistletoeAndWine · 16/11/2011 18:52

In a funny way I actually quite like it! I had a look at houses from £250K - £260K and was amazed that it was selling at not much more than the 2 bed 'character property'! I would definitely go for the space - you can't see the outside when you are in!

Northernlurker · 16/11/2011 18:58

This has been for sale near to us for nearly a year I think and reduced by 50 grand. The rooms are a great size, the garden and the location are fab BUT it's a nightmare to look at. I would buy it in a heartbeat though if I had the budget because it really represents good value.

Dragonwoman · 16/11/2011 18:59

I think that house it much more attractive than a victorian terrace! It has character - just 70's character!
60's/70's houses tend to have much bigger rooms & gardens than newer & older houses generally, but for a lower price.
I live in one & love the space.