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Should we buy this house?

5 replies

PinsAndNoodles · 30/08/2012 21:53

I'm selling my teeny flat because we need more space (can't fit a single bed into the second bedroom) and would like a garden. I'm buying with my DP for the first time. A few months ago we had an offer accepted on a slightly dilapidated Victorian semi round the corner but the delays caused by the multitude of surveys required by the bank (who still haven't agreed a mortgage offer!) have given me cold feet. My DP is raring to go on the decorating front but there's still work we'll have to get builders, plumbers, electricians etc in to do and that'll all take months. We won't have any cash left over once we move in so it'll all have to be saved each month and leave us with no social life.

AIBU to think that the stress of the renovation over a number of years could ruin our relationship? I am v nervous of juggling this with a FT job, 5yo DS, potentially starting a degree as it's required by my work plus maybe thinking about another baby. BUT it's a good opportunity to buy somewhere much larger than we could otherwise afford and should be able to add value to.

Or should I buy somewhere that isn't falling down around our ears, won't take over our weekends with DIY for the next 5 years and tell DP to get another hobby?

I am going round in circles, any thoughts or experience would be helpful please.

OP posts:
tawse57 · 30/08/2012 22:22

I know of many widows who DIYed their hubbies to death.

I know of many divorcees who DIYed their hubbies to divorce.

MerryCosIWonaGold · 30/08/2012 22:25

We did something a bit similar. It's rewarding and draining, and there's no 'da-da' moment as no sooner is one thing done than another is looking tatty. We started nearly 7 years ago, and we're constantly going. Any house requires DIY, painting rooms every few years etc., but major works which are ongoing and slow are a major stress. If you are worrying about it already, I think it's likely to be worse than you anticipate!

Schoolworries · 30/08/2012 22:33

We were in your situation, little money, a baby, uni course....and did all the work ourselves minus electrics.

Took over our lives and caused stess. Had some friendships wobble as they felt pushed out.

However....Personally I loved it though! So exciting to bring back a house to life and put your stamp on it. It was like Christmas all the time shopping for things for the house. Seeing rooms transformed was just thrilling.

Infact interior design is now a life long passion, even obsession Of mine. Im really glad we did it.

We also made a really good profit too. Its how we afforded to now live in the area we do.

Would I do it again? Well once is enough for me ...but possibly for the dream house....Maybe.

If your passionate about houses and interior design you might atcually love it. If your not fussed... Well it is a huge thing to put yourself through without the passion to carry you.

tricot39 · 30/08/2012 22:42

Find out how much the house is worth "done up". You may find that the difference between that figure and your buying price is less than what you have to spend to get it the way you want... And then you have the stress of the work. But if you plan to live there a long time and it is the only way to get more space it might be worth it. I have to say that i love a project but if living in it, it does get very tedious about halfway and it seems neverending! Good in the end but next time i would be much more savvy about what it is worth spending on.

PinsAndNoodles · 01/09/2012 15:36

Thanks everyone. We went and looked at Plan B last night - a house that was a similar price but didn't need so much doing to it and it was of course subsequently quite a lot smaller, which put me off. Clearly I am a size queen Grin

Seeing the alternative helped me to realise that although I'm sure it'll be difficult at times, it should be worth putting ourselves through it and hopefully not having to move again for a long time.

We still need to negotiate on price and finish the legal bits and bobs but we're hopefully only a few weeks away now. Then the fun really starts.....

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