Jsut about to exchange and now im doubting the move.

[AlexisP90]

This is silly but hear me out. Big move for us. Me, DP and DS who's 3. Moving from a new build to an edwardian house. Moving to be close to family.

Its a perfectly good house. Level 3 survey pulled up some issues but have the budget to sort them.

Im getting massive cold feet. I dont know how to look after an older house.

I dont know what is making me feel this way. Ultimately I want to move. I know that for sure. I guess ive only ever owned a newer house so just feel slightly scared.

Remind me how wonderful these old houses (despite their different issues) are please...

Older homes are so much better than new builds, it's normal to be a little nervous, but you will love it and it will feel like you belong there very quickly.

This is what I needed to hear. I over think everything and forget that its actually normal to be nervous.

Thank you x

It’s just a house. It’s stood long enough, it’ll keep standing. You’re not having to thatch the roof or anything complicated. Let your DP look after it if it’s anything beyond you, it’s not on you. Move and enjoy it. It sounds like a good move.

I never wanted an old house but fell in love with my Victorian house because of the location and now I would never live in a new build -it is really well built and is cool inside even in the recent heat waves and retains heat well in the winter.

Older houses feel more homely than new builds in my experience

Have owned older houses for more than 17 years now. Our current is a grade 2 listed cottage and we have learned one or two things while living in old houses.

Firstly, you need to ventilate them, keep air flowing, open windows, even in Winter for a while to air the house. Don't put big furniture right against outside walls. Inner walls is fine but any outer wall, just allow for a little space between your furniture and the wall.

In the winter months we dehumidify. It stops condensation forming and keeps our walls from getting moist. Ours walls are perfect and bone dry.

Our house is perfect, because of those few little steps. We have (touch wood) never had any issues with it in the way of damp/mould etc because we take care of it.

We love our old house. It was built to last. Warm in the winter, cool in the summer. It has bags of character and personality.

Don't be frightened of an old house. Look after them, and they will look after you.

Plus, they look amazing and cosy at Christmastime, especially if you have a roaring open fire or a log burner. The epitome of cosiness 😊

Thank you! Some great advice here

And thank you everyone for commenting. The house is beautiful and I know the move is right for us. I think im a little anxious about change in general.

Thank you for taking the time to comment. It really helps <3

We’ve just moved a month ago. Really emotional downsize but we didn’t need the space. Also moved very near to our daughter.
It’s completely understandable to feel the way you do.
You will take your memories with you. The “ new” house will soon feel like home once you move in and put your own stamp on it. We have no regrets.
Hope you will be very happy in your new home.

Any house move is a step toward the unknown and its completely normal to have a butnof anxiety. We moved earlier this year and I became irrationally worried and fixated on whether the neighbours would be nice or really horrible (they are lovely btw) and started to wonder if we should stay in our too small house just in case. It's an unsettling experience and the moving process is fraught with problems as well.

I am sure you will love your new house. Just don't panic about things being wrong with it, old houses will always have a few things on the to do list. The trick is to prioritise and learn to live with things for a bit.

All things aside, you absolutely cannot back out at the last minute. That would be very unfair in the vendors and buyers for your house. It would be an awful thing to do to people.

Take a deep breath and trust your decision to move there. Old houses are much better in my opinion, more interesting.

The advice about airflow and letting older houses breathe is good.

You’ll be fine, enjoy your new home.