Bobby. wrote on Apr 10^th, 2016 at 6:35am:


A very good idea

Bobby. wrote on Apr 10^th, 2016 at 7:10pm:



the only shock is that you seem to be genuinely shocked by it .... are you really that gullible as to believe photos designed to sell you a product are genuinely representative?

Have you seen how big a Big Mac looks in all the promo photos?

Bobby. wrote on Apr 10^th, 2016 at 7:35pm:



but they're not being dishonest. They aren't builders so they're not qualified to comment about any issues, real or imagined. Their job is to sell.

No salesman in the world sells anything by highlighting flaws in the product.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 10^th, 2016 at 6:35am:


Or near perfect.  The only way you can get exactly what you like is by building from scratch.  If you are buying an existing house, don't worry too much about the bathrooms or kitchen or garden.  Look rather at whether the building is in sound condition, where it is located and whether or not it has a floor plan that suits how you will live in it.

We bought our present house almost three years ago.  It was in pretty good condition (it was only 12 years old) and we could have moved straight in, but I chose to repaint it inside before we did and also replaced the carpet in the main bedroom.  After we moved in, we had almost everything removed from the existing garden and I replanted it all (only two roses and the hedge at the front remain from the original garden) - thankfully none of the trees were large enough to be subject to tree preservation orders.  Then we had the en-suite, main bathroom and toilet completely gutted and renovated - they were serviceable, but not what we wanted.  The entrance doors and side lights have been changed - not because there was anything wrong with them but rather because we didn't really like what was there.  The only unplanned expenditure was on the roof - it turned out that the cement on the ridge tiles was crumbling.  The kitchen can wait - we will probably have it redone in a couple of years, but it is OK for now and, when we have it renovated, it will probably be more or less the same layout.

All in all, it took us well over six months to find the house we wanted and, after a bit of work, we have more or less what we would have had if we had built from scratch - and in a position that is handy to almost everything. 

Bobby. wrote on Apr 10^th, 2016 at 7:58pm:



how is that different from 'fresh food people' when the food has been sitting in cool rooms for 6 months? or 'the bank that cares' or any other of the millions of lines used in advertising? Renovators dreams do not need bulldozing, they just need a renovator who's not scared of some work. While it might not suit you, there are many that love em.

Latest news,
My search is over -
my offer for a house has been accepted.
Once I sell my place I'll only have a tiny mortgage.
I can't wait to move in in just over 30 days.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 12^th, 2016 at 8:56pm:




Thanks Sprint,
I expect to have to do some maintenance over the next 10 years
but the house is in excellent condition.
I can't find a crack in the brickwork or mortar & it's all straight.


cheers
sir Bobby.

John Smith wrote on Apr 12^th, 2016 at 9:41pm:



Thanks John,
The problem was that for every dollar I saved - the house prices would go up 2 or 3 dollars.
It was costing me money to have money in the bank.
The bubble just would not burst.
The time to act was now & I'm left with only a tiny mortgage
when I sell my place.
I just hope I get a decent price for my place.

cheers

Bobby.