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Original poster

Buying an ugly house in a lovely location

123 replies

CordeliaBrideshead · 14/04/2022 18:09

I'm getting divorced and need to buy a new home. Desperate for a fresh start. Have a son living with me (17) and my daughter isn't (16) but if I live in sane town may see more of her

I've got about a 450k deposit and can get a mortgage if about 200k but only due 15 yrs due to my age. I'm in rented.

I live in the SW and this house is in Stroud.

My dream is a Victorian semi but I can't afford/find one. Lost a gorgeous one recently in a road I love.

Saw another today advertised for 425k. It's 3 bedrooms and needs a complete overall. Plus a two story extension to add a 4th bedroom/2nd bathroom. Has the ugliest kitchen, a utility room under a lean too etc Prob Art Deco though all the original
Windows have been replaced with UPVC.

It's on the road I love with views to die for and is detached. It also has a home office in quite a big garden and a large art studio I could make a teenage Den/Airbnb accommodation. Garden has some gorgeous mature trees.

Estate agent wants offers by Tuesday. I'm undecided. Such a lot of work but I could add value.

Any ideas about what I need to think about re cost of extension.

Any advice?

Buying an ugly house in a lovely location
OP posts:
PeggyGa · 15/04/2022 07:45

Is that a dance studio?

Original poster
CordeliaBrideshead · 15/04/2022 07:45

@Thatsplentyjack

You only mention 2 children in your OP Confused that's why it seemed a bit confusing that you needed 4 bedrooms. If you can put up with living in a building site for quite a long time, go for it. Really depends what you and your family can put up with/afford.
I hate building work. It's why I'm conflicted. I agree about living in it and deciding what is necessary. Cost always an issue. I think main issue is sorting kitchen out and getting a second bathroom in.

Currently only my son lives with me so there are only two of us. But I hope to see more of my younger daughter. Sorry I wasn't clear.

OP posts:
Original poster
CordeliaBrideshead · 15/04/2022 07:48

@Thestagshead

You have two daughters? I’m not going to lie op, that’s kinda weird you wrote it like you had one. The house has plenty of space also and isn’t ugly.
My daughter (16) is living with her father. My other daughter is 36. Living with her child and BF in London.

So I'm only living with my son at the moment which is very sad for me as I miss my daughter but she's on Team Dad at the moment. I ended a long unhappy marriage.

She has a room at my rented house and will at any new house. But may or may not stay as her dad in same town. I'm managing my expectations because it's caused me huge sadness.

OP posts:
Original poster
CordeliaBrideshead · 15/04/2022 07:51

@PeggyGa

Is that a dance studio?
It was an art studio (still traces of paint on the sink) but it could as easily be a dance studio as big enough.
OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/04/2022 07:53

Blimey,I was expecting a dump! That's a great house and as others have said easily made lovely with clever planting etc. Stroud is lovely.

Lookoflove · 15/04/2022 07:55

This is a fabulous house.

EdgeOfSeventeenAndThreeQuarter · 15/04/2022 07:56

Kerb appeal is overrated IMO. When you’re in that house you’ll either be looking out the front over the hills, or looking out at that slice of paradise back garden.

You won’t be sat in the road looking at the house.

I say this as someone who once bought a “chocolate box” cottage… which had no view.

I now live in a 1950s council semi with sea views.

The sea views win hands down!

I am soooo envious of your studio/office/disco room!

Aniita · 15/04/2022 07:56

I think your OP is wildly off: your list of things to change is about wants not needs. The house certainly doesn't need a complete overhaul and the kitchen is fine (albeit not to your taste). It certainly isn't the ugliest kitchen ever. Do you even like the house?!

2DogsOnMySofa · 15/04/2022 07:57

I've done it both ways, I've lived in a gorgeous barn conversion in a horrid location - I lived there for 2 years before moving, and I've lived in an ugly, 1970s 3 bed in a gorgeous location - I was there for over 15 years.

Both houses you can make look wonderful inside, but you can do nothing about location. For me it would be location every-time.

By the way I used to live in Rodborough, in Stroud, it's a lovely location and the house doesn't look ugly!

Frazzled2207 · 15/04/2022 07:57

I think it’s a lovely house. Not ugly at all and bags of potential.

I don’t think you’d have to do anything urgently but I would be worried about the cost of anything you really do want to do. I’d also be worried about how well (or not) it is insulated if it only has an E energy rating

Shiiiiiiiiiiitttt · 15/04/2022 07:59

The front of the house can be made more interesting / prettied up quite nicely. It’s not ugly or insurmountable and looks nice and solid.

demotedreally · 15/04/2022 08:00

It's a lovely house. Your adult DD isn't really going to want to live there is she?
I don't think you need an extension either, but the attic bedroom might be a lovely master suite for you, or a carrot for your dd.

WhatNoRaisins · 15/04/2022 08:00

In general it's going to be easier to change the appearance of your house than change the nature of the area.

Lunaballoon · 15/04/2022 08:01

I would go for location and views every time. You can change most things in the interior to your taste.

Victorian houses are overpriced and overrated IMO. The property you posted OP looks lovely. I’d go for it!

Fizbosshoes · 15/04/2022 08:03

It looks liveable in. Could the art studio possibly be converted to some kind of annex or living/bedroom area? (For potentially less cost/upheaval than extending the house?)
Our house is unbelievably dull on the outside but we chose for location.

Redsquirrel5 · 15/04/2022 08:04

I think you could do a lot to that house. Painting the outside and putting some plants around it would instantly make it look better.

Your kids are not going to live with you forever at their ages. Why does the 36 year old need her own room? Surely she could just have the attic room when visiting or you might find one of the teens fancies it. I guess you could raise the roof at the back if desperate. Could you turn the studio into a self contained unit for her and maybe let it out as extra income to cover and building work at other times?

I would definitely view it. The area around looks lovely.

Velvian · 15/04/2022 08:14

Looking on Rightmove there are some lovely Immaculate 4 bed houses in your price range. I don't think you need to go for a house you want to do work on.

It sounds like you have been through a stressful time, building work may not be the best idea at the moment.

I agree with PPs that there is nothing that needs doing immediately to that house.

Cherryana · 15/04/2022 08:15

I think it looks great. I love the art/dance/yoga studio - you could be the new Adrienne!!

Re: Kitchens and Bathroom - they are completely liveable with for a while.

LongSummers · 15/04/2022 08:17

Location location location …. Buy the ugliest house on the best road. Go for it!

I actually don’t think this is an ugly house anyway BTW - and it doesn’t need much work at all (but I always go for dire straits renos lol)
Fab potential and views.

Original poster
CordeliaBrideshead · 15/04/2022 08:21

On the 36yr old. She wouldn't live with me or have her own room. Would just be a guest room. But take the point the art studio and attic are options. If my son doesn't chain. And in fact the small home office has a double bed in it now.

OP posts:
SpiderinaWingMirror · 15/04/2022 08:23

I think your post is an insult to those of us that really do live in ugly houses.
We moved to a truly beautiful town in East Sussex. Only house for sale was a 2005 new build. With new brown double glazing. Luckily we live in it, not look at it!

muckandnettles · 15/04/2022 08:25

Location every time.

HairyMuttttt · 15/04/2022 08:26

It’s a nice house with the potential to be stunning

HairyMuttttt · 15/04/2022 08:27

Location location location

ImplementingTheDennisSystem · 15/04/2022 08:34

It's a fine looking house - nice and symmetrical.
We bought an 80s house that we weren't bothered about to enable us to move to a beautiful market town. We did it pre covid and I'm so pleased we did as house prices have gone insane! I now love the house, having put our own stamp on it. A victorian will cost you more to heat!