Buy a 70s box?

[MrsCremuel]

I love the location, near parents and the village is very lovely. Opposite a pub but set far back. Front room a bit gloomy but the space and size is perfect for us. Opposite a good pre school. Short drive to town. Looks generally in good nick.

But it’s very boxlike and I’m used to living in older houses. Would you all buy this house? Realistically we wouldn’t be able to afford a house this size if it was a period property and it would be about 800k.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116915309#/?channel=RES_BUY

That looks really nice. I see why you might struggle seeing yourself in it if you want an older style property though. I would have loved an older house but we ended up buying an 80s semi

At some point soon 'period' is going to have to be redefined to include the mid-20th century. The 70s were fifty years ago! I love mid-century houses. Fantastic big rooms and you will find it so light after a 30s house.

@MrsCremuel If it is circa £175k to get a period house - with the space / garden and privacy that gives you - I would go for that house you have posted. If you google there are so many ways to pretty up or smarten up a house like that on the outside - many of them lend them selves to a very attractive New England look. And given it isn't in a row it won't stick out - just will look lovely. My parents live in a 70s house & they have been there for ages - climbers , nice front garden , new front door - replaced the cladding bits it softens the whole thing. But the rooms are generous sizes and it its very light and bright.

When I bought my house I had been looking for 2 years - had I continued I could still be looking now. I think sometimes some pragmatism goes well , especially if you need the room & the location is right.

If it gives you hope I live in a house which was bombed and rebuilt - looks very pretty on the outside but not a single original feature inside - but on the road I wanted and we have made it nice inside.

Ours is similar and lots around here have been nicely “tarted up” outside. Get on google maps and look at similar houses near the one you are considering and see if anyone has done some work you like the look of. On that age of house I’d be looking at checking electrics/boiler/insulation have been updated first then it’s just a case of decorating inside and out.

Looks like a great house. go for it.

Yes I'd buy it . This might actually be my preferred style of house. Lack all the bad points of new builds, yet don't have the annoying old house points; generally large rooms & very easy to reconfigure for open plan etc.

It's a good house! Ticks every box other than the actual look. I'm buying with a similar outlook - I don't like the look of what I'm buying, but rooms, space, plot etc is perfect in every respect, so it's a small compromise to make.

That's a fine house, so much space.

Which way does the garden face as that's very important.

Ooh, Bridge is great. And I agree with all the other pps, it's a great house. Styled right inside, it'll be fab.

Wondering about the garden - looks very newly fenced and smaller at the back of the house than I would expect. Has some of it been recently sold off?

Also it sold in June for £575k so I'd wonder why it was back on the market 6 months later for £75k more...

@Thecazelets that’s a good point, I did wonder about the fences actually and the garden is unusual in that it’s all width. I’ll go see it soon, the only way to know!

South potential OP. Character is overrrated when you think that older houses are a money pit, often damp and with an impractical layout. In the future you can really do so much with this space and also the exterior to make it look nicer.

It's a fab house - so much space! I love boxy houses though and don't think they're ugly at all.

I think it's great and would definitely buy it. We went from a 17th century cottage to a 'box' built in 2000. We've added our own vibe with furnishings and adding a more leafy garden. Absolutely love it - more practical room layout, less dust and cobwebs and most importantly so light!!!!! Not pretty from the outside in all honesty, but looks softened with the planting.

The kitchen needs replacing as it is uugglllyy but otherwise the rooms are all a good size and it should have sufficient wall insulation so shouldn't be too cold.

I would, great sized rooms and layout.

Husband is unsure about commute, would
mean a drive to the station. I think he’s close to being swayed by the house but I’d worry it would be too stressful.

Gosh, I really like it now!

I'd buy that in a hearbeat if it was in the right location for me. It has bags of potential, great layout, and you can add so much character and value to it. But then - I love 60s/70s houses, because of the space and proportions.

That house will be SO much better to live in than a 1930s house. Spacious bright straight walls. Comfy.

Forget the snobbery about the looks.

It’s light and bright and spacious.

I bet half the issue is wondering what other people will say, hmmm?

It's absolutely lovely.

I live in a very similar style of house (1969 build) and I love it! They're not the prettiest on the outside but they are beautifully proportioned homes and you can add in panelling, picture rails, coving, dados etc to add more character and depth to the rooms.

The options around here are mostly Victorian period properties at a premium (plus upkeep), expensive new builds with less square footage or '60s/'70s boxes that are reasonably affordable and a decent size. Grow some flowering plants over the ubiquitous brown tiling and it'll be fine!

That’s a really nice house. I was expecting to see a much smaller 70s house packed into a cul de sac of identikit houses. But this is pretty grand.

I love it OP, I'd definitely buy.

One thing though and it might just be me but where are the stairs? 🤯