DH and I have been looking for somewhere to buy in Scotland for over a year now.
We have finally found a property that, whilst not perfect, would suit us really well but there are issues. We've been going round and round in circles for the last 3 weeks and are still no closer to making a decision and I hoped some outside opinions might help us clarify our thoughts as at the moment we can't see the wood for the trees!
PROS
Great layout which would work well for us
Lots of character/period features
Heaps of storage
In our ideal village/location -rural, but good access to amenities and airports (where properties don't come up regularly)
Doesn't need any major cosmetic work
South facing garden
Huge windows -lots of light and good views
Not a listed property
Above a shop on the Main Street in the village so great access to amenities
CONS
1st floor Maisonette - steep, old stone stairs up which doesn't bother us but would likely mean we couldn't live there into old age (we're currently early/mid 40s) and is unlikely to appeal to a lot of buyers in the future
Shared responsibilities for building maintenance with commercial property, not resident
No garage/driveway
Single glazed sash windows throughout
Needs major repairs to joists and roof - see below
The property is a 3 bed maisonette above a little corner shop, decor is not to our taste but completely liveable in.
HOWEVER, the home report (survey is done by seller ahead of listing in Scotland) has highlighted a limited amount of wet rot at the end of the eaves joists (cost to fix c.£4000) and that the original Victorian slate roof will need replacing pretty soon (cost to fix: unknown, we're waiting on quotes, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's in the region of £20K) both '3s' on the home report).
As it's a maisonette above a commercial property the responsibility for the roof repairs is 40%/60% (maisonette/shop). We've been unable to contact the shop owner so far (employees on site, not owner operated) and we're concerned this might cause major issues if they're not amenable. But they might be fine- we just don't know!
We're worried it might be really difficult to sell on in the future but on the other hand it would suit us perfectly for the next 20-30 years.
What would you do? Is it something you'd take on because you loved the property and it ticks so many boxes or would you run a mile because of shared responsibility for repairs/difficulty in selling on in the future?