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Original poster

Would you buy this house?

163 replies

Usernamesthis · 27/11/2023 15:14

I am not a stylist person by any means, we are house hunting and I love this house. The location is perfect for us . DH would prefer a project and somewhere with more character. I love the fact we can just move in and it's chain free.

What do you think?This house

Check out this 5 bedroom detached house for sale on Rightmove

5 bedroom detached house for sale in Chalkwell Avenue, Westcliff-On-Sea, SS0 for £1,600,000. Marketed by Fine and Country, Mid and South Essex

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/135443012#/?channel=RES_BUY

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Puffwiththegreeneyes · 27/11/2023 21:52

I wouldn't because it's not to my taste and I'd feel awful ripping out perfectly good fittings simply because they aren't to my taste. I always prefer a doer-upper BUT if I found a house done to my taste and I could afford it then I'm not against it. I just quite specific taste.

BrimfulOfMash · 27/11/2023 21:53

It could be given a lot more character with your own decor.

The matching beige bathrooms are a bit much but it doesn’t have to be full of grey cushions etc.

However, it is very tight up against the neighbouring houses, and I would be finding out what minor rise in sea level would see it flooded.

Primarina · 27/11/2023 22:05

I like it

Mirabai · 27/11/2023 22:08

I’m not sure how you’d make the garden at least 3 times as big which is what it would need to permit the necessary large trees to prevent it being overlooked.

If you’re used to city living overlooking doesn’t bother you. Large trees just create shade and leaf fall.

KeepingTrying · 27/11/2023 22:13

I think it could be quite good if you like rollerblading indoors.

Diyextension · 27/11/2023 22:17

DuesToTheDirt · 27/11/2023 21:56

Nah, this is nicer (and lots cheaper). Or this.

But what do I know, I've never been to Westcliff On Sea.

That house just speaks one word to me …..COLD !!!!!! 🥶
what’s with the random piece of wood it the loft room ?
The toilet is is a good position if your feeling a bit rough and need to rest your head on the shower screen 🤢

it probably needs at least a good £500k or more spending on a full on refurbishment.

Pingu135 · 27/11/2023 22:29

My first thought was the flood risk, from the aerial photos it looks very flat and close to the beach.

ThePoshUns · 27/11/2023 22:35

I'm not a fan of attic conversions when they aren't necessary. I'd rather have a loft for storage.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 27/11/2023 23:23

I drive by that house every day and watched the renovation happening. It's quite a busy road but a good location for the beach and station. The interior style is what everyone seems to be doing around here. I'd be fine with it.

If you buy your husband's choice you will have amazing neighbours. That road is famous for street parties and the neighbours are very sociable. I've always loved that house. It's a lovely area to live in too.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 27/11/2023 23:36

With regards to flooding. The house is very close to the area that is predicted to be underwater in 30 years on those rather alarming maps that get published every know and then. It would be catastrophic for Southend if that actually happens. I'm glad I live up on the cliffs.

Saying that I've never known flood water to hit that area in all the years I've been here. Maybe it did in the 1953 flood but that was way before my time.

SingleMum11 · 27/11/2023 23:54

So much money and no views of the sea!

readsalotgirl63 · 28/11/2023 00:03

I do like views of the sea😀

Starseeking · 28/11/2023 00:07

Personally I'm not too keen on the downstairs being as open plan as it is, but if you love it, go for it!

mathanxiety · 28/11/2023 00:49

YY to the Mrs Hinch comment.

If your H likes DIY projects, he could spend a few years restoring its former charm.

jesterdourt · 28/11/2023 05:46

Inner London

Again, in some parts of inner London…

The house is “done” as in fully renovated - it only requires paint and good styling. I could make it chic very easily.

Whereas I disagree that paint & good styling would make it chic.

Very similar houses in London sell for 3-6 million+

Why do you keep comparing it to London? It’s irrelevant as it’s not in London 😆

jesterdourt · 28/11/2023 05:59

It’s all about colour, style, good art, a mix of antique and modern pieces - personal style and good design transforms houses. I could make it look like a completely different place fairly quickly.

The above will make it more tasteful but it won’t add character.

mrssunshinexxx · 28/11/2023 07:16

It's lovely but soulless but you could put your own stamp on it with art and furnishings and abit of decorating

Mirabai · 28/11/2023 07:21

jesterdourt · 28/11/2023 05:46

Inner London

Again, in some parts of inner London…

The house is “done” as in fully renovated - it only requires paint and good styling. I could make it chic very easily.

Whereas I disagree that paint & good styling would make it chic.

Very similar houses in London sell for 3-6 million+

Why do you keep comparing it to London? It’s irrelevant as it’s not in London 😆

Why do people keep comparing it to houses in cheaper areas saying they’d want x or y for that price. 🤷🏻‍♀️

This is what you get for this price in this area - it’s more than many areas of the SE.

Mirabai · 28/11/2023 07:26

Whereas I disagree that paint & good styling would make it chic.

The above will make it more tasteful but it won’t add character.

That shows your naivety. Interior decoration on MN = teal paint and feature wallpaper from DIY.com.

readsalotgirl63 · 28/11/2023 08:11

Remote working means people are not as tied to area as they once were. I'm always astonished at property prices in the SE - we did live there but sold and moved north a looong time ago.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 28/11/2023 08:19

I think you could really put your own stamp on it. You could make the garden really interesting.

If you like it, go for it.

LindorDoubleChoc · 28/11/2023 08:37

The London comments are bewildering Confused.

OP I think, on balance, that most on this thread don't like the house you linked. Some do but most don't. Do you still feel the same way about it? Have any of the comments about the layout and garden made you change your mind at all? Those are the things that can't be altered easily.

HereForTheFreeLunch · 28/11/2023 08:43

Desecratedcoconut · 27/11/2023 16:22

Well, I think it is really lovely. But given the cost, elevation, proximity to the sea, it's too risky for my hypothetical £1.5million.

This! What are the flood defenses like on the seafront?

Lovely characterful houses are often very cold and difficult to heat. So I would be careful about that too.

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 28/11/2023 09:05

Crikey. That's
A Lot of bathrooms to clean.
For that money though can you not get sea front? On an older property