Bought my first do it upper

Author
Discussion

Craikeybaby

10,408 posts

225 months

Saturday 28th September 2013
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DSLiverpool said:
Question - gas, eleccy, council tax what do you do? We took readings on Thursday but do I tell them?
Yes! If it's council tax you will be exempt from paying too. And congratulations - keep this thread updated with your progress!

Slagathore

5,810 posts

192 months

Saturday 28th September 2013
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Double check council tax. Down here, there's no exemption at all now and you have to pay regardless.

If you don't already know the supplier for the utilities, then you could wait for a bill to come through and then ring them up. Or, I think, if you have the meter serial numbers, you can check online/by phone who the suppliers are.

Do the estate agents have the previous owner details?

Little Lofty

3,288 posts

151 months

Saturday 28th September 2013
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For empty property insurance speak to Jimmy Khing at Uk Insurance 0844 8755555
Agree about the council tax, your probably liable for the whole amount even when empty, my council offers no rebates now, it all changed in April.

DSLiverpool

Original Poster:

14,741 posts

202 months

Saturday 28th September 2013
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Cheers guys, last owner in a care home but agent has suppliers

DSLiverpool

Original Poster:

14,741 posts

202 months

Sunday 20th October 2013
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Right were we are.
Garage couldn't be saved we decided to scrap it and put a wooden super shed with double doors but not for a car in its peace.you couldn't drive anything bigger than a very narrow car into it anyway as it's at the back of the house.
Loads of rot all stripped and replaced, all new windows and doors, require, new ch entirely, roof clean down and painted tiles. Rear patio reduced in size and garden stripped and turfed, front getting golden gravel with place keepers.
Kitchen, bathroom plasma fire - putting it up for £139,950 subject to completed valuation cost will be £80k plus £25k worst case scenario.

DSLiverpool

Original Poster:

14,741 posts

202 months

Tuesday 12th November 2013
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House virtually finished, we've have spent £22k and it's had everything done,
Some rotten floorboards done, new damp course, new windows and doors and a few lintels, new bathroom and kitchen, rewire and all new central heating, garage demolished replaced with a triple size shed with double doors. Path gravelled and both gardens landscaped. Asbestos tiled roof sealed and painted like next door and other houses in the street.
Getting it valued on Friday and Saturday aiming for £139,900 but will go with middle agent probably.
GP £35k if all goes well, out of this I have a hefty sum to give to the property finder and project manager (I have not done anything but pay for stuff) but expect £20k
Pics in a few days

DSLiverpool

Original Poster:

14,741 posts

202 months

Saturday 7th December 2013
quotequote all
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

On the market - let's see how it goes, we have spent £105k in total

Simpo Two

85,404 posts

265 months

Sunday 8th December 2013
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DSLiverpool said:
but expect £20k
Less about £4K CGT maybe?



I don't think the stripey wallpaper will last long wink

DSLiverpool

Original Poster:

14,741 posts

202 months

Sunday 8th December 2013
quotequote all
CGT is natures way of congratulating you (sadly)

I had the paper spare and it all looked so boring in cream I thought why not.

Had one viewing Friday who thought kitchen too small - hey ho

ClassicCarless

259 posts

171 months

Sunday 8th December 2013
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Thanks for sharing your experiences. The fact that people are viewing is surely a good sign. Do let us know how it turns out, much appreciated

Gareth79

7,666 posts

246 months

Sunday 8th December 2013
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I was going to comment that the dark tiles and worktops make the kitchen look very dingy, but then realised it was probably over-contrasty photos. Get the agents back in there to take better ones, or try yourself! (flash off, lights on?)

Spudler

3,985 posts

196 months

Sunday 8th December 2013
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Looks good DS.
Only minor point I would make is the kitchen and wall paper is a little 'personal'. Bathroom looks fine tho, as does the rest of the property.
As mentioned, keep us posted, and good luck with the sale.

DSLiverpool

Original Poster:

14,741 posts

202 months

Sunday 8th December 2013
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By accident I seem to have done a 90% job leaving a few smallish jobs to the new owner, one big call was the demolition of the knackered garage (see slab in back) you cant really drive to it with modern cars and we couldnt decide what to do so we left it - we shall see if its a dealbreaker.

We could have spent more on the patio and front garden but its a £150k house where do you stop?

Simpo Two

85,404 posts

265 months

Sunday 8th December 2013
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DSLiverpool said:
By accident I seem to have done a 90% job leaving a few smallish jobs to the new owner, one big call was the demolition of the knackered garage (see slab in back) you cant really drive to it with modern cars and we couldnt decide what to do so we left it - we shall see if its a dealbreaker.
I'd describe it 'Base for greenhouse or shed'.



Half full vs half empty y'see...

The patio is a bit frightful; I think I'd have paved over the lot - but I appreciate that would be less margin. Or would it...?

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 8th December 11:32

elanfan

5,520 posts

227 months

Sunday 8th December 2013
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Might be worth some brick cleaner on the stained bricks at the back - low cost improvement?

Willber

548 posts

169 months

Monday 9th December 2013
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Looks smart, well done. A good FTB house for sure.

Where abouts did you get the bathroom from? I am looking to replace mind fairly cheaply but unsure of how the quality varies at the low end stuff....

monthefish

20,443 posts

231 months

Monday 9th December 2013
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Gareth79 said:
Get the agents back in there to take better ones, or try yourself! (flash off, lights on?)
And get the leaves cleared and the garden ones retaken. Will make a huge difference.

DSLiverpool

Original Poster:

14,741 posts

202 months

Monday 9th December 2013
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Better pics requested but we have 3 viewings booked so I'm hopeful !
Bathroom and kitchen from b&q trade discount and credit card points

The Moose

22,845 posts

209 months

Monday 9th December 2013
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Willber said:
Looks smart, well done. A good FTB house for sure.

Where abouts did you get the bathroom from? I am looking to replace mind fairly cheaply but unsure of how the quality varies at the low end stuff....
Victoria Plumb usually has a reasonable quality of kit at good prices.

Depends on what you're after though.

DSLiverpool

Original Poster:

14,741 posts

202 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
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Well it's not sold yet, we have had a few viewings and one serious ish buyer who's sale fell through but it ain't sold.
So it's at the top of its valuation before reducing here's the tactics, let me know any tips please

Dual agent from tomorrow costing me an extra .25%

If no improvement in activity we will pay the stamp duty from mid Feb

End of a Feb we will look at a reduction

Agents haven't said anything is wrong it's just top of the market but I will give it a bit longer - it stands me £105k max all in