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Original poster

Help - Offer accepted and I don't know if I love the house....

58 replies

Misscf81 · 23/01/2020 13:34

Me and my partner have been looking for a house in a particular area for over 12 months, with very little luck. We have offered on several properties, but because there is high demand and a shortfall of properties - people are often paying 20-30K more than something is on the market for and we just can't complete.

Anyway, we went to see a property last week, on the market shy of 170K, and in order to be in with a chance of having our offer accepted, we offered 178K - which was accepted (yay!).

However, now I am having second thoughts. I think we offered to much, and I am not sure I love it, and feel there is lots of work to be done. I showed a family member who's opinion I value a lot and he ripped it apart.

I just don't know what to do - there are definitely pros, and it is an upcoming area (people are climbing over themselves to live in this area) - but I don't know if I loved it when I first saw it - I think the fact that it is an end-terrace is putting me off.

I guess I am looking for advice? For context, me and my partner are first time buyers and currently rent (which is something I want to get out of ASAP).

Here is the property....www.julianwadden.co.uk/property-details/STP190501/greater-manchester/sk3/torkington-street?page=1&instruction_type=Sale&address_keyword=Edgeley&minprice=&maxprice=&property_type=&showstc=1&showsold=0

OP posts:
lemontreebird · 23/01/2020 15:11

Thanks for the link, Bluntness.

Having now seen the house, I think it looks really nice. And, major plus point, hasn't had the 2 reception rooms knocked through.

sunshinesupermum · 23/01/2020 15:20

It looks a lovely house! What do you feel you need to do it, seriously and what did your family member say? You can decorate it to your own taste if that's what's bothering you. End of terrace is good.

minniemoll · 23/01/2020 15:28

The house looks great, and a huge bonus is that the living room isn't on the party wall, so you shouldn't be able to hear your neighbours in there.

I'd put a shower screen in instead of the shower curtain, but therwise you could move straight in. The cellar space is a bonus too, for storage if nothing else.

Scatterlit · 23/01/2020 15:29

I don't think that 'loving' a house is at all important -- ignore all that squeeing and talk of 'passion' on annoying TV programmes involveing Kirsty and Phil and the like. That looks like a perfectly nice, if currently very bland, house with good bones, and in good order, which you can do a lot to to make it more liveable by painting it and growing things in pots and all over the walls in the garden. From what you say, the location is great, and it's an intelligent FT buy.

NewUser5678 · 23/01/2020 15:41

If there is high demand and a shortfall of properties in your area and you can't compete with people who are paying £20-30k over the asking price to secure a property then you need to secure a property in the area asap before you are priced out. Paying £8k over to secure a property sounds like a good deal for a neutral property which looks to be in good condition. A surveyor not a relative would be the best advisor on its condition and whether you are paying a reasonable price. If you don't love the property then, at worst, you could view it as a foot onto the property ladder in this area. If property is moving so fast, all you would have to do is buy it, sit tight for a year without paying rent and with your property appreciating in value, leave it as it is in its neutral condition, look for a property that you do love and sell this house on. Good luck!

Bluntness100 · 23/01/2020 15:48

If the cellar is dry lined doesn't that mean you could potentially make it a huge extra room? Plaster the walls and ceilings, sort the electrics, put flooring in? Turn it into something fab? A huge sitting room to watch tv, a games Room, even another bedroom? You could likely do it for a couple of grand max.

Panda368 · 23/01/2020 15:56

I felt like this when we bought (also in one of the 'up and coming' areas around Manchester if that helps) very similar situation - had been looking for ages and kept getting beaten with "offers in excess of" properties.
On our house I think we went 15k over and got it. But because its offers over you never feel like you've got a good deal and I've always felt we over paid. But we've been in 2.5 years now and I think the house will probs sell for about 20k more than we paid.

I'd go for it. It's scary - plus - whoever ripped it apart - do they actually have any understanding of the local housing market or housing stock? when did they last buy a starter home? my parent were horrified we would even consider offering over asking price!

CatUnderTheStairs · 23/01/2020 16:02

It's really common with any house to think Oh shit. Especially first house. Go back and look at it again.

It looks like a great first time buyer's house.

Ohchristmastreeohchristmastree · 23/01/2020 16:07

I think it is lovely. To me it looks like you could move in and not have to do anything.
Honestly compared to some of the crap that I’ve viewed, and some of the nicer ones, it look like probably the most immaculate house I’ve seen!
I can’t quite believe some of the houses that we have viewed. Some houses we have seen have had mould, wallpaper falling off, kitchens that are 50 years old.

gingerchaos · 23/01/2020 16:26

The house looks great and the dry lined cellar rooms is a bonus. I don't like the back yard but lots of pots and lovely table and chairs plus a bright cost of paint on the wall and it could look lovely.

Talia99 · 23/01/2020 16:38

I know estate agents take pictures to sell but I think it looks really nice. What issues have been pointed out?

AlpineSnow · 23/01/2020 17:07

Looks lovely to me. I'd be keeping the interior as it is and adding new curtains etc and add plants to the garden. That's all

Original poster
Misscf81 · 23/01/2020 17:45

Hi all! Sorry, I have been at work. Thank you so much for your replies, it has massively helped :)

We have an appointment with our mortgage advisor next week to get the call rolling. I’m still waiting to hear about the second viewing. I need to instruct solicitors but I don’t know where to start!

I know deep down it’s a good option - in an up and coming area, with a lot of potential. We don’t have to do everything straight away, and we can really put our stamp on it.

Thank you!!

OP posts:
DavetheCat2001 · 23/01/2020 18:29

I echo what others have said..I think it's a great blank canvas..you could make it really lovely, and for a first time buy you are getting a lot of space and potential to extended and use the cellar too.

The outside is nice too..I don't know the area at all but that seems like a lot of house for the money, and if I were buying it I'd think about lawning that garden.

I reckon if the area is as popular as you say, if you let it go someone else will snap it up.

whoopstheregomyinsides · 24/01/2020 17:37

I love it! Great starting house and actually totally liveable and adaptable to any taste easily. Go for it

WombatChocolate · 25/01/2020 09:25

A couple of things;

  • Be realistic - your first property is unlikely to be your dream house. There will be compromises and you have to accept those. Consider if you really will get better for the money.
  • If you hate it now, then pull out quickly. If it does the job and gets you in the ladder and has the potential to be a good house for a period of time, then do it.

The prefect property in your price bracket isn't available and won't be. It about knowing when something is a good buy and does wheat you need it to.

Feeling a bit anxious is normal. If though you're unlikely to find better in your price bracket and especially if you've lost out before and prices are rising, don't let nerves lead to you mains a decision you later regret.

Robs20 · 25/01/2020 09:31

I think it’s a good option. The basics are all fine and you could turn it into your home because it is so neutral - decorate in colours you like, open up the fireplaces and spruce up the garden and it will be a completely different house.

BonnesVacances · 25/01/2020 09:34

I personally love that house. The yard is fine and perfect for the current trend of making it feel like another room. There are loads of ideas on Pinterest on how to do this, including putting shelves along the wall and lining pots along, plus having furniture with weatherproof cushions.

SoupDragon · 25/01/2020 09:37

I am genuinely not seeing what "lots of work" it needs. I agree that the bathroom looks tired but it's certainly liveable with.

You might want to extend the kitchen across at some point but that isn't a necessity.

It's halls adjoining which is great news for noise levels!

FAQs · 25/01/2020 09:37

It’s a lovely house, not sure what your friend is going on about! The yard is a bit grim but otherwise it looks to be a good investment especially if others in the area are going for higher.

Awrite · 25/01/2020 09:44

It's a beautiful house. I think you'll be very happy there.

GreekOddess · 25/01/2020 09:45

That's a solid good house. Bathroom upstairs and a hallway are not always standard in Victorian terraces.

Is your friend jealous?

cakeandchampagne · 25/01/2020 09:49

I like it! Best wishes!

NewYoiker · 25/01/2020 09:52

It's a bit pricey for edgeley!

SoupDragon · 25/01/2020 10:37

The yard is a bit grim

Yes, but the paving is nice enough and with the addition of things like tall bamboo inputs and other planters it'll be fine. It will, however, be mostly in the shade.

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