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Move or improve?

13 replies

Cindi85 · 08/10/2021 18:07

What would you do? We are stuck. We need more space and can afford a bit of a bigger mortgage. So do we rennovate or move? Financially it would work out about the same, maybe a bit less to renovate but you know how costs spiral. We would be staying in the same area.

Reasons to stay: lovely neighbours, ideal location. We could have it exactly as we want it, no compromises (within reason, financially - but it would be our design).

Reasons to go: one thing we can't change about the house is we are on the side of a hill so there are steps up to the front door and a tiered back garden on 3 levels. I love houses that have a flat entrance and garden. No drive here and if we wanted to put one in it would up the total amount by £5k +. But parking is fine.
The work we want to have done is quite extensive - loft conversion, side extension with downstairs loo, back extension for bigger kitchen/diner. We have a 6yo and an almost 2yo so the renovations could be a nightmare with a toddler.

We aren't sure whether we are better off moving, staying and renovating, or doing neither at the moment and wait out the financial uncertainty and cost of living increases then review in a couple of years. Option 3 is probably the most sensible but also least appealing but I do wonder if we are mad to be considering a bigger financial commitment at the moment.

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Cindi85 · 08/10/2021 18:09

I should add, we have had our house valued and could put it on the market and see what happens, but not sure if we would be wasting people's time if we then decide to stay where we are.

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Africa2go · 08/10/2021 18:45

Does the garden have space to play football / have paddling pool etc? Garden is really important for me / family so if it didn't work as a family garden it would be a dealbreaker, no matter how nice / spacious the inside was. I think you need to think about whether the house would appeal as a family house and you'd get the money of a renovation back when you come to sell, or whether its worth moving now.

Cindi85 · 08/10/2021 19:03

Honestly if we stayed and did the renovations I don't think we would ever move, it would be up to the kids to sell when we are elderly or passed. So value added isn't as important to us, but FWIW I don't think the renovations would increase the value by any more than they cost (if we sold straight away). So if we did the work then sold straight away, I think we would break even or lose a bit.

The garden is ok for us, it is big but because its on 3 levels it doesn't feel it. There are much nicer gardens in this area.

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Cindi85 · 08/10/2021 20:03

It would help if we could view some houses to see if we love something...
Is it OK to view a house when you are on the market but not under offer? Not sure of etiquette...

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IamJuliaJohnson · 08/10/2021 20:06

For me it would come down to what’s available to buy. If there isn’t something you want to buy you should stay put. If there is then you should compare the properties and go for whichever you think would be best to live in overall.

TheGrumpyGoat · 08/10/2021 20:10

I’d move.
We have a similar situation. Have a decent house that with some work and cash could be perfect. However there are a couple of elements that can’t be changed to exactly how I’d like it (like the garden), and 3 young children so can’t bear the idea of extensive renovations (would need a two storey extension for example).
We’re going to move.

Cindi85 · 08/10/2021 20:33

@TheGrumpyGoat

I’d move. We have a similar situation. Have a decent house that with some work and cash could be perfect. However there are a couple of elements that can’t be changed to exactly how I’d like it (like the garden), and 3 young children so can’t bear the idea of extensive renovations (would need a two storey extension for example). We’re going to move.
Sounds like we are in exactly the same boat. Are you looking to move now or in the future?
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Cindi85 · 08/10/2021 20:35

@IamJuliaJohnson

For me it would come down to what’s available to buy. If there isn’t something you want to buy you should stay put. If there is then you should compare the properties and go for whichever you think would be best to live in overall.
That sounds really logical. So our house as it would be after renovations vs what is on the market. I suppose it makes sense to take the process out of the equation somewhat as that is temporary.
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TheGrumpyGoat · 08/10/2021 20:41

Sounds like we are in exactly the same boat. Are you looking to move now or in the future?

I think we’re going to wait until spring. We’ve got a lot on in the next few months and also a few maintenance jobs to do round the house, so I think we’ll get Christmas out of the way and aim to have ours on the market by next Feb/March time.

ChewChewPanda · 08/10/2021 20:43

With a similar debate we chose to move. I don’t know if you’ve had proper quotes for the renovations yet but if not, get them - ours were astronomical with all the challenges in the building trade at the moment. Between that and the hassle of doing work with a young family we listed ours partly to test the market and sold it v quickly. We then found a lovely house that gets the specific extra we wanted (with a trade off of a slightly longer commute). We’re happy with the decision!

Cindi85 · 08/10/2021 21:33

@ChewChewPanda

With a similar debate we chose to move. I don’t know if you’ve had proper quotes for the renovations yet but if not, get them - ours were astronomical with all the challenges in the building trade at the moment. Between that and the hassle of doing work with a young family we listed ours partly to test the market and sold it v quickly. We then found a lovely house that gets the specific extra we wanted (with a trade off of a slightly longer commute). We’re happy with the decision!
We haven't had quotes for renovations and I bet they would be a lot higher than we think - that has been the way with everything we have done so far.
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Dmsandfloatydress · 08/10/2021 21:38

We had a similar house with a similar decision. In this market selling wont be a problem its buying that is hell. We had a great budget but after three months of bidding wars we have given up and are cracking on with the extension. In a normal market we would move but its proved impossible.

Cindi85 · 09/10/2021 00:04

@Dmsandfloatydress

We had a similar house with a similar decision. In this market selling wont be a problem its buying that is hell. We had a great budget but after three months of bidding wars we have given up and are cracking on with the extension. In a normal market we would move but its proved impossible.
It does seem to be a seller's market. I am leaning more towards moving but maybe not until Spring....
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