Ugly house, great location.

[Absa]

Currently living in a house that we bought to do up / sell / move up the chain.

Have been looking for the last 6 months but not in a rush as we have no pressure to move.

We have locations we prefer and today went to see a house in the perfect location ... but it's so ugly 😫 Not my cup of tea at all, the next house was meant to be my desired character property, and not needing any DIY as I'm sick of it! But they're just not coming up in our are / budget.

The house today has no curb appeal but backs on to fields / lakes. Inside is very dated but nothing we couldn't eventually sort. I just CBA to do more DIY, but don't know if I'd regret letting this location go.

I know what they say - location can't be changed, the house can, but a 1970s house isn't what I had in mind. I can't add period features to a non-period property.

DH says it's my choice... urgggh!

Thanks these are all positive messages. The more I think about it, the more I like it. The more things I think we could do to improve it. 2nd viewings booked :) Negotiation hat ready!

It's a guess, based on nothing more than gut instinct, but I think that mid and late 20th century houses are desirable for the first time as style statements.

Ours is filtered down Mies van der Rohe, with huge rectilinear windows ( 9 feet wide mostly) to enjoy a series of spectacular views over a beautiful rural valley. The ceilings are high, and the build quality and finishes are superb as it was built by a builder for his family to live in forever, but dated. We still have some Artexed ceilings, but the house was built to be expansive and generous, so our sitting/dining room is 30 feet long and comfortably holds three big sofas, which makes entertaining easy and relaxed. And the indoor-outdoor flow was well thought through for good weather.

The garden, on a steep hill, is a nightmare: He thought in concrete but it's not good for plants, though weeds thrive. It drains water in seconds, and the soil quality is rubbish, plus he dumped what he excavated for the footings anywhere there was space.

He ran out of money in the 1990-97 recession before he did the finishing work and we've been here since then, and have done a bit of renovation each year we could afford it. It's not a house that makes your eyes whizz with desire, but only a few, rather designer-y types, have been snippy. It is a sensible family house, albeit one that needs a fair bit of routine maintenance.

How did the second viewing go?

I think there are amazing make overs that you can do with the outside of a 70s house. Look at cladding, new windows and a modern front door. Landscaping a front garden and having a decent front drive makes a big difference too. I would live in this style of house and definitely go along with make-over ideas.

I forgot to say, a house near me has been updated and has a permanent render. Looks great. Ugly before the work was done. It’s added ££££ to the value as it’s a great location.

*DH says it's my choice... urgggh!

What a cop out
Helpful!
I would probably say the same because ugly wouldn't bother me but it would bother DP,.
In this situation I would probably ho for ugly if the location is good. You dont have to do everything at once.

We've got a 70s house and love it - it's an interesting, quirky design and we've gone for a pared down, modern look for the interior. Maybe take some inspiration from these www.themodernhouse.com/sales-list/?price-from=0&price-to=99999&collection[]=mid-century-modern-homes

We went back a third time, decided to offer on it. First offer rejected - too low. Have increased a little for second offer, waiting for response but estate agent has said probably still too low. We don't think it's worth what it is valued based on other houses in the area but have been told they are emotionally attached to it / won't reduce their price so now it's just a waiting game. Thanks all for advice.