To replace or not to replace?

[Withaddedlint]

Looking for advice.

my home is low value (less than 200k) and it needs some tlc but has great potential as it’s extended upwards and outwards and has a nice flow. For various reasons I’ve never kept on top of replacing, as I’ve always wanted to move but just life has not allowed it 😞

I’m hoping to start the process (again) to move tail end of next year but I’m really sick of living in a “broken” home.

There are some things that are really bugging me - the windows , the kitchen and the garden gate/ fences/ wooden garage shed (all rotted falling apart) and the downstairs shower room (could double as a utility if changed) . (So a lot really 🤦‍♀️) there is mould around the windows (not surface mould) hence why they are on list. Everything mentioned is at least 20+ years old.

which of these things could I change and get my money back next year - bearing in mind my house is in the lowest council tax band. So not necessarily profit but just so I get it back iyswim?

I do worry at the back of my mind I won’t be able to move as I have wanted to for the past 15 years! But I feel I need to draw a line somewhere. However whatever I sink in , I need back as every penny counts .

any advice please from any estate agents or anyone in the know?

thanks for reading

With the current cost of renovations, if all you’re doing is bringing it up to standard, unless you can do a job to a really high standard yourself, I wouldn’t do any of it, nothing you’ve mentioned will add significant value, and I’d even doubt you getting the money back. I’m involved in a property renovations business and building work is brutal just now

This is what a couple of friends have said. When I had it listed couple of years ago agent said don’t touch it it will sell as it is (sold my house twice very quickly but it’s me who can’t find any suitable in my very modest price range! )
just sick of my environment. I was really ill with a really nasty cold last week and I still went into work (wasn’t productive) because I loathed the idea of staying at home. I just want a nice home that doesn’t suffocate me! - sorry I’m ranting

The thing that would probably improve the quality of your life the most is the windows because that would improve several rooms all at once and that mould must be so depressing and bad for your health.

The kitchen isn't worth replacing because Buyers would probably prefer to choose their own new kitchen. But the windows will need doing no matter who buys the house.

I don't know if you will get back all the money you invest in new windows or not tbh. But if you want to do something then of the things you have mentioned, I would choose the windows over the kitchen or fences/gate/shed.

Funny you should say that @Twiglets1 as it’s the windows I’m considering changing as my dc2 is getting really sick and I’m sure it’s because of the window situation. I’ve always been told I won’t get my money back for the windows. I will plan to list the house again next year and I know it will sell quickly - I think i need to get a second job so I can be lent more money to afford to buy a house for for my growing dc. But I need to draw the line somewhere and I feel for so many years I’ve compromised so much in the hope of being able to move for only not to ; and im now questioning should I make changes or not. I feel my thoughts go round and round in circles going over and over it and nothing changes 🤦‍♀️ (gosh I really AM in a ranty mood today

If you did all the work would you need to move? Why don't you just do it all and see if you fall back in love with the house.

@OhhhhhhhhBiscuits i could make the house work 100% - it’s a good house that can become great with updates as it is different from the houses nearby- hence why it sold within days on both occasions of listing- it’s not the house it’s more
the location - it will never get better iyswim. I fear this could be part the reason why im struggling to move - I was finding houses 70k plus more than current house value but not much bigger - if at all. The 70-80k plus was literally paying for a better postcode . I have always hated where I live and I was never supposed to stay for more than a few years but I’ve just not been fortunate enough to be able to move. I feel it’s all I’ve ever wanted and 20 odd years down the line and why the heck am I still here? I’m clearly doing something very wrong 🤔

Is there a reason you need to wait until the tail end of next year rather than listing it in the Spring, say?

Just wondering if you are someone who puts things off? (no judgement)

Will you be able to afford to move into a property that has been well-maintained and where everything is modern/already upgraded?

Because if you are moving and then will just end up with something that needs work as well it might be better to try to fix your current home, at least you know what is wrong with it...

I assume you will have to price your house to reflect the fact that it has been neglected for a while so you might not get enough to get the hassle-free home you want.

I think it’s worth getting the windows done, or at the very least see what can be done without total replacement to tackle the mould. I would be willing to take on a property that needs updating but I’d be put off by visible mould as that could be causing structural problems. As the market is much slower now it could be the difference between selling and not selling.

Windows would improve your energy rating and update the look of the property. 20 years is not that old, probably more cosmetic than functional.