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Original poster

Buy a 70s box?

77 replies

MrsCremuel · 28/11/2021 10:01

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

OP posts:
PickAChew · 29/11/2021 23:47

The ceilings are low but the rooms are good sizes and the layout practical.

happydramatic · 30/11/2021 03:46

Yes!We did similar. So practical and big rooms. Not the prettiest but really not too bad. We're thrilled with our (fairly ugly) but excellent location and spacious house.

Cobiemakesmesmulder · 30/11/2021 06:04

I actually quite like it Blush

I like the even sized bedrooms and long drive particularly.

Sounds like a winner for you.

MintJulia · 30/11/2021 06:23

1970s houses tend to be poorly insulated so one of my neighbours has combined that with the blandness to 'reface' the house, putting external insulation and then timber cladding over the top.

The council approved the planning permission because of the eco-benefits and the house looks fabulous.

You could look at doing something similar.

cloudtree · 30/11/2021 06:27

We bought a 1960s box in an amazing location. We’re now mid way through turning it into an American anew a England style property which it lends itself to easily. Pale painted cladding, new windows, a front porch and you’re away.

Twizbe · 30/11/2021 06:29

I love a mid century box as there is so much you can do with them. Often their layouts and room sizes are better too.

That is a great house with lots of space and lots of potential.

Rubbish estate agent though who's taken some very dark photos.

XingMing · 30/11/2021 14:20

I've lived in one since the 1990s, and while it was ugly (pebbledashed) when we bought it, we got it rendered and painted and it looks quite sleek now. The rooms are big and light, there's a cellar basement, and now that there's proper insulation, better double glazing, central heating, new kitchen and bathrooms, it's fabulous. It is going to be hard to leave, but we want to move area completely.

fussychica · 01/12/2021 16:28

I would but then I'm a bit of a sucker for 60s/70s houses like this. Loads of space and you can easily make changes to put your own stamp on it. Bigger plots than new builds too.

Skinnytailedsquirrel · 01/12/2021 17:00

Looks great. You could do so much to that house very easily.

FlyingSoHigh · 01/12/2021 18:04

The house is great but I would not like the position - there are about 8 houses that back onto the sides of the garden. If you don't mind neighbour noise it could be great, but if you do (like me sadly) then it would not be good.

OakPine · 01/12/2021 21:07

No, I wouldn't buy it. If you are used to period properties, and that's what you actually want, then you won't be happy with this.
No amount of polishing it up with new kitchen and bathrooms can give you the high ceilings and period features that you like.
Keep looking.
Sorry! xx

BikeMyCycle · 01/12/2021 21:37

We bought a 60s house and it was the space that did it for us. Plus the garden is HUGE.

Some period properties are gorgeous but space is much more important for us.

happydramatic · 02/12/2021 03:20

Well @MrsCremuel did you buy it??

Chunkymenrock · 02/12/2021 03:29

Sadly, I'll never be in a position to buy anything like that. You're incredibly privileged OP. I wouldn't hesitate.

Original poster
MrsCremuel · 02/12/2021 03:42

@happydramatic no Sad we did the journey to the station at ‘rush hour’ and there was so much traffic it would have been very wearing for DH once he is back in the office daily. We decided we’d rather him home earlier and around later in the mornings! I’m a bit gutted really as I have fallen in love with it now.

@Chunkymenrock yes, I grew up with very little so feel very lucky to be where I am now. I never thought I’d own my own home let alone be able to consider one like this.

OP posts:
Twasacceptableinthe80s · 02/12/2021 17:14

How close do you need to be to parents? We are in Folkestone - HS1 is a five min walk from lots of lovely period houses and only a 15 min drive from Bridge. £625k would probably buy you a similar sort of property here. Ditto Canterbury (though most likely on the smaller side). Just a thought…

LiquidSodaCrystal · 02/12/2021 17:17

I live in one and I love it. Solidly built, lovely and bright and soooo much storage. Yes it looks ugly but that’s a problem for my neighbours, not me. Wink

Twasacceptableinthe80s · 02/12/2021 17:19

In fact a similar property on a great road 5 mins from the station, close to outstanding school is on for 75k less!

Bridge is lovely (go there semi regularly as DS plays cricket against them frequently and we have friends in the village), but I would rather live here as you will have tonnes more to do on your doorstep…
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115680746#/?channel=RES_BUY

Twasacceptableinthe80s · 02/12/2021 17:21

And 75k to improve with!

user1471538283 · 02/12/2021 17:22

I would buy it. Make the interior mid century looking and paint the wood outside or insulate it.

Daisy829 · 02/12/2021 17:29

I would. It looks great. It’s my kind of house. I’m not a massive fan of older houses tbh. You could make that lovely.

FestiveMelts · 02/12/2021 18:00

Oh I think it's fab! Looks really substantial. I'd replace the cladding with render and struts to give it that lovely mock-Tudor look!

Oblomov21 · 02/12/2021 18:36

I love it. What's not to like?

PickAChew · 02/12/2021 19:20

It's a shame the location doesn't work for you. That's definitely not something to compromise on, if you can afford not to, though.

Daphnise · 02/12/2021 19:58

It looks absolutely fine to me- don't worry about it, and go ahead.