Would you buy a house with a steep staircase

[Carm10]

Hi, so i recently bought a 1930s semi detached house. Naive me, i thought i could change the staircase easily but there is no headroom space to do so, so the stair specialist said that it would require some trial and error and it could be expensive. We have got used to the stairs and just go down slowly.
But... We plan to sell in 5-10 years time and i don't want to put 3-4 k as it wont really add to the value of the house (The boiler is in one of the upstairs room, i might spend the thousand to change ti to the kitchen.
Would a steep staircase put you off buying a house? TIA

Yes it would. Sorry. I’d be nervous about falling or about guests or children or older people falling.

not really, depends on how steep I guess - post a picture?

With my dodgy knees yes, it would put me off.

I lived in a Victorian two up two down with very steep stairs. You get used to it. I only ever slipped once in sixteen years due to inappropriate footwear and grabbed the bannister so was fine.

Just for reference, my husbands trainers size 9 1/2. I thought it was just me being too worried about falls but honestly big men had to go downstairs sideways... what was I thinking when I bought this house (this is not because of the stairs only, it has given us a couple of expensive Easter eggs already!).
The solution made by the expert is to add some wedge steps in the landing, but then the window would be too awkwardly high! (See pic 2) what do you think?

Is it common to have buyers remorse? I can’t sleep lately thinking we paid way too much for an old house thinking that it was in good condition but the surveyor missed a couple of things that cost us a few thousands. I should have gone for a newer built property! 😔 sorry for the moaning. I’ll stop now, I promise!

My last house had a very dodgy loft conversion (not done by us) we bought it with a very steep staircase steeper than yours, didn’t really bother us, we needed the space and the house ticked all the other boxes, sold it 5 years later to the first person who viewed the house and sold at asking price, so no didn’t put us off or our buyer

See I wouldnt call that steep - rather just the stairs are narrow - for me they look fine...but my dad and brothers both have size 13 feet so would definitely put them off! Id be more put off by a victorian terrace type stair which are tall and steep - no way would I have one of those.

That’s not strep.

A friend of mine has wooden very steep open plan stairs and no hand rail that scare the hell out of me

Steep

Don’t have wedge steps. If you can, bring the staircase forward. Each step could then be wider. You can mock up a model. Where is headroom a problem?

Open plan staircase don’t meet building regs approval! They are dangerous!

we have very steep stairs. raising 3m on 2m length.
can't change them.

it's ok and we got used to them quickly. important is to have a good non slip floor covering.

I had stairs similar in my old cottage but they were also open - I got used to it & it was perfectly fine with a banister on each side - having said that my feet are a tiny size 4 so fitted the steps

im glad it doesnt look too bad to you guys! Yes, narrow its the right word, i have size 4 and my foot doesn't fit when going down. the other day i rushed slightly (baby crying downstairs) & thank goodness i was holding onto the rail! but i am known for doing stuff i shouldn't be doing.

Another question, do you have to pay to get building regs guy to come around & sing off? biggest fear is to get it done and that it doesn't pass!

@BubblesBuddy Head space is a problem half way down (there is a headroom of 1.95m at present, its the floor of the box room upstairs, but the stair guy said he wouldn't touch it as a pillar might be hidden there and i agree with him

It’s quite usual to find shallow stairs in old Georgian houses - it would put me off a bit but if I loved the rest of it I’d get over it as you can train kids etc to be careful on their own stairs.

I’d spend money on what mattered most first - kitchen, bathroom, kerb appeal, the usual things that add value.

Yes, sorry it would put me off.

I hate steep staircases. I’ve not bothered looking at properties with spiral staircases either. I fell down the stairs about 6 years ago and broke my tib and fib in spectacular fashion.

Normal bog standard stairs for me please.

Currently trying to sell a Victorian two up two down with v steep stairs. Loads of interest but the stairs are definitely putting people off. The first time buyers don't seem bothered but everyone else is!

We turned down a house for this exact reason.

Have you had a stair company come out and make suggestions? We had our stairs replaced - they start at the same place but end later (if that makes sense). I don't think we would meet building regs because if the head clearance but they are better than the old ones in terms of angle so that's permitted (at least that's the way I understand building regs to work - if doing from scratch you must meet the standard but if improving you just need to do better than the existing arrangement - I'd check with a grown up though!)

just what i thought. thanks everyone for being honest! lets hope the quote is not too dear and hopefully i can get it done next year. First time buyers... i hope i'll be wiser next time if there is one!

I have size 7 feet so narrow stairs would definitely put me off. Having said that narrow stairs can often be improved by the right kind of carpet.

Our first house had very steep stairs.
It was an ideal first home (bargain price wise and very much a doer upper) and we got used to them, but I wouldn't buy another house with steep stairs.

Would put me off.