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Original poster

Is this house horrible? Birmingham/Kings Heath

135 replies

Ithc2023 · 03/04/2023 10:39

Hi,

We've recently accepted an offer on our house and are house hunting at the moment.

We're going to look at this house tomorrow

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132182531#/?channel=RES_BUY

It's a bit unloved but we're quite excited about the house and my husband is willing to put some work in it

I sent the link to my parents and they both think that the house is horrible.

My mother thinks it's terrible that the house doesn't have a hallway.

My father thinks the same and he also said we should get a cat to keep away the rats (as he says the house is close to a canal in Birmingham).

What does mumsnet think?

Thanks xx

Check out this 3 bedroom terraced house for sale on Rightmove

3 bedroom terraced house for sale in Florence Road, Kings Heath, B14 for £290,000. Marketed by Rice Chamberlains LLP, Moseley

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132182531#/?channel=RES_BUY

OP posts:
GarlicGrace · 03/04/2023 11:02

I can't see a canal close by? I love the floorboards, the fireplaces are nice, and I agree with you about local amenities.

I lived for years in a house with the front door in the living room. It was fine - we used the sofa as the visual separator; behind the sofa was the 'entrance' and everything in front and to the side was the living room! Some people put up a dividing screen wall, but we felt that would just make the space feel cramped.

In that house we moved the stairs so they came down towards the front door. That was a big job, though, and the stairs at this house are better placed - they go up the side, rather than straight between the two rooms. Fine where they are, but beware of trying to get large furniture up & down them!

Kitchen needs extending, either to the side recess or into the middle room where you could create a large kit/diner.

If it's in fundamentally good condition, I think it's a fun project that you could be really proud of.

OKFinally · 03/04/2023 11:02

That is a HUGE fat no from me….

Original poster
Ithc2023 · 03/04/2023 11:04

QuintanaRoo · 03/04/2023 11:01

This has a hall and is cheaper https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131745371#/?channel=RES_BUY. If your dh isn’t afraid of doing some work. He could add value here. It’s also a 4 bed.

We saw this house on rightmove, but it is up for auction. No idea if our mortgage provider would allow this and as it is up for auction, it will go for much more than 280000 pounds

Station Road is also a very desirable road, it has 4 bedrooms so a lot of people will be interested.

OP posts:
FullBloom · 03/04/2023 11:04

I don't think it's horrible and can see lots of things you could do to make it nicer over time- side return is one that leaps out. The lack of a hall is an issue and I'm not sure it can be easily fixed as the room is quite narrow, but it looks like all the houses in that area have the same issue. Is the cupboard by the stairs suitable for your coats and shoes?. Put a door between the reception rooms. Turn the bathroom into one room.

But really it comes down to price and I wonder whether your parents are a bit out of touch and don't know what £290k gets you these days.

80sMum · 03/04/2023 11:05

QuintanaRoo · 03/04/2023 11:01

This has a hall and is cheaper https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131745371#/?channel=RES_BUY. If your dh isn’t afraid of doing some work. He could add value here. It’s also a 4 bed.

That needs more than just a bit of DIY though! Looks like it's a total refurbishment job and would cost 10 of thousands to get it up to standard. So, in fact it's more expensive than the other one.

QuintanaRoo · 03/04/2023 11:06

Ithc2023 · 03/04/2023 11:04

We saw this house on rightmove, but it is up for auction. No idea if our mortgage provider would allow this and as it is up for auction, it will go for much more than 280000 pounds

Station Road is also a very desirable road, it has 4 bedrooms so a lot of people will be interested.

Show quote history

Ah, I missed the fact it was going via auction. Fair enough. What’s your max budget? Also don’t be afraid to look at stuff slightly above your budget and make an offer.

Netcam · 03/04/2023 11:08

Whataretheodds · 03/04/2023 11:00

Cool, so I imagine you're the OP. What do you sacrifice for the hallway?

Show quote history

Our house is 3 storey mid terrace, it's modern and was built with a long hallway, just the design I think. It also has an integral garage on the ground floor, so the hall is the extra width next to the garage and is also the length of the garage. I guess we don't have the location or character that this above house, but we have quite flexible indoor space even if the rooms are small. I think it is always a compromise unless you have loads of money and it is useful to think what is really important and find the best house you can that has those important features. I would want more than 1 toilet with a family of 4, for example, that is a dealbreaker for me but not for everyone.

Hallmark1234 · 03/04/2023 11:09

The saying location, location, location is probably the most important factor, as it's the one thing you can't change, so if it works for you, most things in the house can be made to work.

Having said that I don't like the direct access from the front door. Are you able to put an outside porch on, or an internal one if not possible? Think about your children when they are older, or any pets you might have in the future, running directly into the street, if the door is left open accidently

The other thing to bear in mind is that everything required for the garden, or possible extension in years to come, will have to come through the house, as it doesn't look like you have any rear access.

Evasmissingletter · 03/04/2023 11:09

Great potential. Definitely do something to screen off the front door and extend kitchen and it will be a great family home.

Diyextension · 03/04/2023 11:11

C4tastrophe · 03/04/2023 10:52

Horrible.

some good constructive feedback there.

IClaudine · 03/04/2023 11:13

The house has potential, but what is the street it is on like? The photo makes it look a bit grim and down at heel, which would worry me. Worst house on best street better than best house on worst street etc.

electricmoccasins · 03/04/2023 11:15

It has potential. I don’t think the canal goes by there. It runs alongside Broad Lane.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 03/04/2023 11:15

If your husband is handy, you could make a narrow passage from the front door to the stair opening., with a sliding door into the front room .rThere aren’t any dimensions, but it looks quite well proportioned .

Original poster
Ithc2023 · 03/04/2023 11:15

IClaudine · 03/04/2023 11:13

The house has potential, but what is the street it is on like? The photo makes it look a bit grim and down at heel, which would worry me. Worst house on best street better than best house on worst street etc.

The street is a cul de sac. I admit the street isn't pretty, but it's not an antisocial area. It's just what the area looks like.

OP posts:
FurElise · 03/04/2023 11:16

I like it OP. It's quirky and different and has bags of potential. The hall thing wouldn't bother me but I've never had to live without one so maybe the reality would be different?

GarlicGrace · 03/04/2023 11:17

QuintanaRoo · 03/04/2023 11:04

That looks a much safer buy, and easier as it doesn't need work. I wonder why it's cheaper? My Brum knowledge is out of date, but it's a lot like London in that you can walk from a needle-strewn disaster area to a stable, friendly grid in less time than it takes to smoke a fag.

If this location's as good as the one you posted, @Ithc2023, and you're not horrified by Barratt's identibuild homes, it looks like the better option.

Original poster
Ithc2023 · 03/04/2023 11:17

Hallmark1234 · 03/04/2023 11:09

The saying location, location, location is probably the most important factor, as it's the one thing you can't change, so if it works for you, most things in the house can be made to work.

Having said that I don't like the direct access from the front door. Are you able to put an outside porch on, or an internal one if not possible? Think about your children when they are older, or any pets you might have in the future, running directly into the street, if the door is left open accidently

The other thing to bear in mind is that everything required for the garden, or possible extension in years to come, will have to come through the house, as it doesn't look like you have any rear access.

It does have rear access (we drove there yesterday to have a first look outside)

OP posts:
IClaudine · 03/04/2023 11:19

Ithc2023 · 03/04/2023 11:15

The street is a cul de sac. I admit the street isn't pretty, but it's not an antisocial area. It's just what the area looks like.

Show quote history

A cul de sac is good!

rwalker · 03/04/2023 11:19

Love it no empty house looks it’s best

lived in one more or less the same

MyriadOfTravels · 03/04/2023 11:20

I personally don’t see the issue with hallway.
whether there is one or not, your window still opens onto the road. Like any terrace houses. For me that’s the biggest issue

And yes it needs work done on it. But if you love it, then you do. Go for it!

MyriadOfTravels · 03/04/2023 11:23

Btw, the whole thing about children and let’s going in the road if the door is left opened.
The same would happen with a hallway. Unless you always close both doors and always have one closed when you open the other etc…. I’ve never done that. Do you?

Chatbot12 · 03/04/2023 11:25

Lived on that street, great location and catchment area. House can be made v nice. You can always move somewhere bigger as the kids grow up.

Chewbecca · 03/04/2023 11:26

It's not horrible at all, it just needs a bit of love, warmth and attention. You can see it has been empty for a while.

My area has lots of old houses, you have to compromise on some of the standard layout quirks if you want the location. Location is more important than perfect layout to me.

It looks like a good, solid classic family home to me. It is in decent enough condition that you could do the work gradually whilst living there which is a bonus.