To move or improve?

[MsAnnFrope]

We have been in current house 7 years.
It is at the point where it could do with cosmetic work to kitchen and bathroom and we want to redesign the garden. We are also looking at whether to keep/convert/redo conservatory.
If we do these things its really a commitment not to move as we are looking at £50k of work.
But...we are currently on a housing estate where we are overlooked, especially the back garden and I would love to move to a house with a bigger plot and/or a more rural setting. This would be about £60-80k more than our current house is worth. The obviously the cost of moving.
Does anyone have any words of wisdom on how they decided whether to upgrade their current house or move?
I do like the neighbours, the location and the house itself. I'm just sick of being overlooked and a less than lovely view.

Move. You could spend £50k on it and realise your heart still isn't in it then end up moving and risk not getting back what you've invested in the house.

DH thinks that if we sold we would need to upgrade kitchen and bathroom prior to that as it would be a job prospective buyers would need to do and would reduce the price.

I think you may be right though - there is no way really to change the view other than growing some massive trees along my back fence...which I think would have structural implications!!

It’s not worth updating kitchen and bathroom for a sale, unless you can do it very cheaply (eg paint, accessories). Just think of how many people here will say “I really hate that colour! I couldn’t live with a blue/grey/cream/white/gloss/shaker/whatever kitchen”. It’s so unlikely you’ll get it right for all buyers so thetefore not get a premium. Unless kitchen is really shocking and bathroom is avocado but rest of house immaculate!

Work our costs of moving. Then decide. I’d probably leave as the things you don’t like can’t be changed.

haha @Saz12 no the rest of the house is nice but not immaculate. Its a very livable house but not "homes and gardens" standard by any means. The hall, stairs and landing and downstairs loo all need cosmetic updating. I'd agree with you that it isn't worth the upheaval. I'm tempted to get estate agent opinion.
I'm torn because we have lovely neighbours and we have enough space. But its not my ideal location and you are right, you can't change that.

Have you watched love it or list it?

We had the same dilemma and we decided to do our own version of the show.

In our case the work needed to major. We engaged an architect to come up with some designs.

We went and viewed a lot of homes in both the local area and outside of London.

For us, it didn't make sense to move as we didn't see anything better or that we wouldn't have to spend a lot of money on. We also realised that we LOVE the location of our house.

For you, I'd come up with a budget to give the house a lick of paint and fix any jobs that need doing.
I wouldn't re do bathrooms or kitchens. Paint and tidy up is all you need to do really.

Also come up with a budget to turn it into your perfect long term home.

Then have a look around at what is out there.

It took up over a year to decide to love our house and do the work needed. We're now about 6 weeks to finishing our build and it feels like the right decision to stay put

@Twizbe that is such good advice thank you!

[quote MsAnnFrope]@Twizbe that is such good advice thank you![/quote]
No probs. It really helped to see what was on the market in our budget and what we'd need to spend to make any new house perfect.

We went to one that I adored on paper, stepped out the car and hated it! Was very strange

I wouldn't replace a kitchen and bathroom if you're planning to move. I don't think you'd get the full cost and it could also put buyers like myself off if it's not to their taste. I'd rather buy a slightly cheaper property that I can put my own mark and it's not cost effective (or environmentally friendly) to pay more and then replace relatively new fittings. If you put it on the market and it doesn't sell or buyers feedback that they think it needs too much spending on it then you do the work or drop the asking price.

I’d probably have a look around and see what you can afford within your budget ( I wouldn’t look at top end of budget though).
With that in mind, I would try and work out if your current house would be better/about the same after the work required.

It’s such a dilemma, being settled in an area with nice neighbours etc is what really makes the place feel comfortable.

We’ve moved, and it’s taking a long time to feel comfortable/homely here.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Thanks @emmathedilemma and @CheckMate2021 both very good points.
I’ve seen so many refurbished houses where the fittings are not my taste and it seems a waste. The kitchen appliances we have are newish but doing it up would make it more practical for us. There’s not enough storage and we need a bigger fridge and freezer.

We are also walking distance to my preferred high school but DD is only on year 3 so we can take that into account when looking.

I’d love to turn our somewhat damp and impractical conservatory into a sun room that I can use as a study/music room as DSS room currently doubles as this.

I just want to look out into the garden and see trees and greenery not the fence and the neighbours houses!

This pic is not my house but proximity of the house behind and garden size are very similar! www.homify.co.uk/ideabooks/3888947/a-towcester-family-s-spectacular-garden-makeover

@MsAnnFrope that is quite overlooked, and unfortunately I believe we will end up in a similar situation once new development complete (currently have beautiful views).
Sorry can’t offer any practical solution. Other than trees/large plants it’s difficult to create a screen as such, but I’m hoping I’m wrong 😑
Best of luck with whatever you decide :)

I really don't think it's that overlooked, nothing a couple trees wouldn't sort. I'm sure your neighbours don't spend their days standing looking out of their bedroom windows.

@ShellieEllie sorry I didn’t explain myself well. I just don’t like being able to see the houses. The neighbours are lovely and I certainly don’t worry about them seeing us in the garden or vice versa!
I want to look out the back of the house abs see greenery, I’m questioning really if that is possible in our current house.

@CheckMate2021 I’ve been chatting with my mum who is a great gardener and she thinks we can shield with a mix of trees and pergola with climbers. I’ll keep you updated!

@MsAnnFrope that sounds good (I will also be googling pergola )

@MsAnnFrope I meant pergola and climbers that work well