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Would you buy a house that...

122 replies

Luckyelephant1 · 02/04/2022 09:24

Has been renovated and extended throughout inside and is essentially exactly what you're looking for in terms of floor space/a blank canvas to decorate... But you just find the exterior so ugly?

A bit of background, we've been searching for a while for our long term home but we're in a very expensive area in the South East, so even though we have what many would call a decent budget, it doesn't stretch very far here so options are limited, but we really don't want to move out as we love the area and have a lot of ties to it.

We love properties with a lot of character, period homes etc. But also with the opportunity to give it a modern twist inside. A house has come up that is ready to move into inside, done to a high standard etc so we wouldn't need to renovate much at all, just paint and maybe replace the kitchen worktops at some point as I'm not a fan. It's rare at the price it's at to have a house that doesn't need a lot of work to get it to how we like. However, I just can't get over the exterior. I'm no expert on houses of certain eras but it's one of those boring, square houses built in maybe the 60's/70's? Very unremarkable, would be quite hard to make look nice. Ugly casement windows, but it would look ridiculous if you changed the windows to say, sash windows because that's the total opposite style of the house iyswim?

It has 'kerb appeal' in the sense that its very neat on the outside with a well maintained front lawn, path and front door etc. But I just don't like the style of house! Am I being too picky? Would you buy a house if the interior is perfect but the exterior not so much?

OP posts:
WonderingWanda · 02/04/2022 10:35

Also, period properties are money pits. They look nice but always have expensive hidden issues like damp, rot, pointing, roofing and so on, we had one that had to decorate on the cheap because the repairs took all our money. A 50 year old property is going to be in much better structural shape so you can spend all your money on cosmetics and get it looking lovely!

SoupDragon · 02/04/2022 10:36

George Clark did a series turn ugly houses into lovely ones - it's probably on the channel 4 catch-up service. He did a few "ugly" 60s box houses like you describe.

Wnikat · 02/04/2022 10:38

We're all going to have to get heat pumps soon and period houses will be a nightmare. Buy the well insulated box!

SylvanianFrenemies · 02/04/2022 10:38

Yes, I'd buy it.
Do all you can with the garden, then forget about how it looks.

LndnGrl · 02/04/2022 10:39

@Luckyelephant1

Has been renovated and extended throughout inside and is essentially exactly what you're looking for in terms of floor space/a blank canvas to decorate... But you just find the exterior so ugly?

A bit of background, we've been searching for a while for our long term home but we're in a very expensive area in the South East, so even though we have what many would call a decent budget, it doesn't stretch very far here so options are limited, but we really don't want to move out as we love the area and have a lot of ties to it.

We love properties with a lot of character, period homes etc. But also with the opportunity to give it a modern twist inside. A house has come up that is ready to move into inside, done to a high standard etc so we wouldn't need to renovate much at all, just paint and maybe replace the kitchen worktops at some point as I'm not a fan. It's rare at the price it's at to have a house that doesn't need a lot of work to get it to how we like. However, I just can't get over the exterior. I'm no expert on houses of certain eras but it's one of those boring, square houses built in maybe the 60's/70's? Very unremarkable, would be quite hard to make look nice. Ugly casement windows, but it would look ridiculous if you changed the windows to say, sash windows because that's the total opposite style of the house iyswim?

It has 'kerb appeal' in the sense that its very neat on the outside with a well maintained front lawn, path and front door etc. But I just don't like the style of house! Am I being too picky? Would you buy a house if the interior is perfect but the exterior not so much?

Could you render etc to make it nicer? There's a couple of before and after accounts come up on my insta and some of the transformations are really nice.
Nomoreusernames1244 · 02/04/2022 10:40

Is there nothing you can do?

I went to see an “ok” house. Nice enough, but a relatively cramped 3 bed. Didn’t buy it as it was too small. Outside was bog standard unimpressive 60’s/70’s brick.

Anyway i now pass it on the way to work. Whoever bought it clearly had a lot more designer vision than me. They’ve extended- only about 6ft or so but it’s changed the whole appearance of size on the outside from cramped to spacious. They’ve put some sort of white/off white cladding or render over the brick, and put anthracite window frames in.

Looks amazing now. Gone from small 60’s box to a very modern/cottagy feel.

Chewbecca · 02/04/2022 10:40

Yes, definitely if that is the only compromise.

If it bothers you that much, you could save up and overhaul the outside, some round here have done a great job on those houses. I wouldn't bother though tbh, it will be fashionable again in its own right soon enough!

RinklyRomaine · 02/04/2022 10:42

Buy the box.

I live in a lovely 30's semi which we have just spent a LOT of money extending. I love it, but never again, and there is still plenty to do to have it perfect. Building work is mega expensive at the moment, so the less you need to do the better.

I sold a 60's 3 bed on a council estate about 7 years ago, which had the horrible square everything, ugly tiles outside etc but massive rooms and excellent layout. Still have friends living nearby and have been amazed at how many have simply had render work done outside and new glazing and look lovely. Easy care, nice gardens, big rooms.

gogohm · 02/04/2022 10:43

It's a case of beggars can't be choosers, both in your case and any future buyer. Yes it's not picture postcard pretty but if it's a good solid family home then yes we have to compromise when it comes to house buying.

I've chosen a modern terraced house to live where I want to for instance (could have bought an older 60's detached house a mile away but I don't want to live there!)

catscatscurrantscurrants · 02/04/2022 10:45

I'd snap it up - it's affordable, the inside is what you want, and you don't sit looking at the outside of your own house all day.

TwoBigNoisyBoys · 02/04/2022 10:47

@SoupDragon I came on to say the same! Love George Clarke 😊

OP even if you don’t think you can do anything to improve the exterior, there definitely will be ways. I’d go for it.

NorthernChinchilla · 02/04/2022 10:51

We're doing it. NEVER thought I'd buy a non period property, but the one we're hopefully moving into shortly is 1970s.

It has some interesting quirks- mezzanine levels, long curving steps up to the front door (garage is ground floor, the 'ground floor' of the house is the first floor, iyswim) but essentially a box. But it's got amazing views, tons of space, detached and great garden. Can't wait to be in!

We're SE, and to get an equivalent period property would be at least another 25%, plus the lack of insulation, up keep etc

trilbydoll · 02/04/2022 10:53

We live in a 1970s house. I can't see the outside when I'm walking the 5 minutes to school or sitting in the big rooms with big windows Grin for me there are 100 things that make a house nice to live in and the outside appearance is a long way down the list!

k1233 · 02/04/2022 10:55

As noted there are things that can be done to the outside. You can also do some lovely tall plants that will soften the look. If inside is good, that's a huge saving.

MyAnacondaMight · 02/04/2022 10:55

Yes, do it. You really can polish a turd when it comes to 1970s type houses. One locally to me has had its pebble dash removed and star jasmine grown up the brick, almost covering it. Expensive outlay on the plants, but cheaper than render and looks beautiful.

Ugly plastic windows have been replaced by single pane, narrow frame aluminium windows in dark grey - makes a huge difference. I think they enlarged some of the smaller windows too. Then they’ve added a simple zinc wrap over porch, and a modern glazed front door.

It’s not cheap work, but can be done over time, and is absolutely transformative.

ReflectiveJournal · 02/04/2022 10:55

We did. I still hate the outside but the inside and the gardens are now perfect. We couldn't afford the style we like in this area - Victorian and Edwardian houses cost three times as much for the same space, but area and space trumped for us. We have found other ways to make it seem more like what we like. The only issue is ceiling height - but at least that means it is easier to heat!

ladycarlotta · 02/04/2022 10:59

I surprised myself and bought a boxy little 1960s house. Honestly, I can't fault it. It doesn't have the period charm but it's well insulated, sturdy, and super super spacious inside. All the period properties we looked at in this price range were either tiny or had subsidence. We'd have outgrown them as a family by now, whereas our house still has bags of potential for expansion.

I think if this place ticks all your other boxes, go with it and consider ways you can improve the outside to your liking. Whether that's going all in on cultivating an amazing cottage garden out the front, or leaning into the mid-century vibe with your front door, gate, postbox etc.

something2say · 02/04/2022 10:59

I didn't have the luxury of choice. I did the best I could with what I had. Inside became LOVELY because I worked on it. Outside was always horrible. Lived there 13yrs and sold for nice profit. I'd go for it iiwy.

alwayswrighty · 02/04/2022 11:01

I did buy the one house I told my DH I didn't even want to view 2 years ago because of the cladding (1974 house south east). I still hate the cladding but I love the home its become and eventually we will change it although as I work from home I rarely see the outside of it.

titchy · 02/04/2022 11:01

Yes - we did exactly that. So ugly that the estate agent wouldn't book an appointment to view until we had reassured them that we had done a drive by and seen it in the flesh! 1970's monstrosity with a lot of the front painted black Shock (now white).

TatianaBis · 02/04/2022 11:07

You can completely remodel the exterior, so yes.

TatianaBis · 02/04/2022 11:08

Here’s an example.

Would you buy a house that...
Daisydoesnt · 02/04/2022 11:20

@TatianaBis I get your point but surely that's not actually the same house? It has acquired a chimney, the pitch of the roof is different and the close neighbour has disappeared to be replaced by space and trees?!

Calmdown14 · 02/04/2022 11:21

I think Kirstie Alsopp always says she bought an ugly house because she doesn't look at it other than for five minutes a day, the neighbours do!

Given the constraints of choice and the cost of building materials, it's an excellent option just now.

What's the view like from it? Because realistically we don't sit staring at our own exterior walls for much of the day

SweatyChamoisPad · 02/04/2022 11:27

Have a look at an account called The Modern House on Instagram. I promise you’ll never look at a boring sixties box in the same way again.

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