Has the presentation of a house ever influenced your decision to buy?

[OneDayIWillLearn]

Like do you reflect on the way a house you bought was presented and think: ‘yes that detail really made me know I wanted it when we viewed’

Or conversely, can you think of something about how a house was presented that you thought you’d like from the particulars that just totally turned you off/ gave you the ick to the extent you didn’t offer?

I’m talking about presentation rather than things fundamental to the house or location itself.

Definitely! I want clean, uncluttered and zero mould.

I've been searching for a flat for a few years. I'm immediately put off by any clutter or dirt in the communal areas (for me, a clean communal space is a sign that those in the building take pride in it). I'm also put off if the neighbouring properties have any bulk waste in their front gardens (e.g. old appliances etc.).

I like it when the EA includes a quote from the seller about the property (e.g. what they've loved about living there, nearby nice pubs and green spaces etc.).

Not at all. I never want to pay for someone else's house, it's always been about the bones for me - amount of light or potential light, the windows (I hate stingy tiny windows), the height of the ceilings, the ability to have nicely flowing space without making it totally open plan, enough bedrooms. Our last two houses were both in such states they were unmortgageable when we bought them.

However, both houses sold quickly and easily when we were ready to move on precisely because the buyers didn't want projects and weren't at all bothered by signs of family life. Our last house, I remember thinking for ages that I needed to get someone in to paint out the scuffs on the walls - particularly bad on the wall near the front door where we thrown the dog leads in a basket. That kind of thing drove me mad, but the buyers weren't fussed. They just asked us to leave the names of the paints so they could do it in the same colours. They were thrilled that all the systems were new and everything was structurally sound, so the most they had to do was a bit of paint and a coat of finish on the hardwood floors.

That said, I do think Mumsnet can give a skewed view of how people look at a house. I remember a thread not too long ago where someone posted a beautiful historic house in Spitalfields and the vast majority of the posters piled on, apparently unable to imagine that they wouldn't have to live in it as is. That they could paint it as they liked and bring their own furniture, lamps, rugs, etc.

@CleopatrasBeautifulNose

I would very much like an owl!

This made me laugh! Snakes + giant lizard in the kitchen is my favourite. A bathtub full of cat litter, I can't imagine the smell...

My DH sent me a video of an electrician filming a rewire and chatting with the elderly owner, it showed the wires and then went:

Electrician: who did your wiring again?

Owner: oh my grandson, hes really good boy, hes done everyone in the families wiring.

Electrician: and when was it that his house burned down?

Owner: about 2 year a... wait how did you know his house burned down?

camera pans back to an arc jumping between the wires

Electrician: oh... was just a good guess.

So true! 😂😂

Yep, presentation has influenced my decision to buy because it is a lot of hassle and money to get things how you like them and there is no guarantee that the renovations will turn out how you envisage and what additional problems you will encounter. If a house is already painted how you like, has flooring you like and has a lovely kitchen and bathrooms then this will save you many £10,000s.

We bought this house because of the garden. We viewed it in May when the bluebells were in bloom and the dappled light over the bluebells made it look just perfect.
We've been here 17 years but I still think the garden is at its best in May and my long term plan when we want to downsize would be to put it on the market ready for viewings in May!

A house with in a great location with the potential to be my style v a house that's newly decorated in the vendors style?

No contest. I'd always go for the first one

Nah, it's only Other People who are influenced by decor - ypu know, the Foolish Majority who lack true talent and taste.

Obviously, I am that rare being, the Insightful Visionare, just like alnost everyone else on this thread.

In reality, if you see a well-loved home you're likely to fall for it above Blandsville.

I bought our current house because I fell in love with the hall and the master bedroom. The hall has cream and terracotta tiles with an inset doormat. Excuse the muddy floor and the boots. Dogs had just come back from a very wet walk!
The master bedroom is huge and painted denim blue and has the original fireplace although not in use. I’ve actually bought a very similar bed to the one they had as it makes the room. Picture is the estate agents.

Ooh that looks gorgeous! Where did you get your bed from out of interest?

@OneDayIWillLearn Dusk. We got a charcoal grey ottoman king. The back is a bit higher than the one in the picture but so comfy to read in bed.

Millions of people have and do buy doer-up and renovations... Its a large part of the market so why are people acting like a large percentage of house sale just don't exist.

Of course many people see through paint and staging and other people decor.

There are different types of buyer, who buy different types of houses. For us we are first time buyers, no chain, in stable rented accommodation so I can buy a doer-up cheap (our main thing) and do it up. For someone with 3 young kids in a chain with nowhere else to stay moving to the other side of the country for a stressful new job they probably want something full set and ready to go as a home.