Making a house look pretty

[PositronicRay]

Thinking of a house move this yr, early days yet, not quite in a position to visit and view yet (apart from the odd drive by)

Anyway this one keeps popping up on my searches

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

http://images.portalimages.com/31983/26536574/broc...

It ticks a lot of boxes in terms of location, price, size, layout etc.

I'm a realist and know wherever we'll always have to compromise on something. But I just can't get excited about it, not sure I'm wanting to spend a chunk of dough on something that's just okay. I'm imagining by the lack of photos it's due some money spent on decor/bathrooms and it's been on the market for a while. (a bit of a st job on photos actually they couldn't even be bothered to stick the bins out of sight)

Exterior wise what would you do to "pretty it up"? Mrs PR likes render, fairly fashionable locally, but I'm thinking upkeep is a pain.

[PositronicRay]

Thanks, it's well priced for the road. The cladding is actually tiles, they look like need attention, maybe replace with cladding or re tile then repaint the middle bit cream and plant some climbers.

I'm not keen on grey windows (or fashionable come to that)

[PositronicRay]

How much would render cost?

[PositronicRay]

We know the road and area, very well indeed, only 1/4 mile from our current semi. The nicer looking similar style houses on the road have been rendered.

Downside are.

Topish budget
Small rear over looked garden (current one is more spacious)
Small garage with no space to extend
Doesn't get my juices flowing

Upsides
We can afford it
We like the area, most things are a pleasant walk, convenient amenities, pubs, restaurants, close to open countryside, dog walks at the end of the road.
We've always liked the road
Layout's good

[PositronicRay]

Jobbo said:

I used to live a few doors up from that house. The older houses in the road are prettier but it's a nice place to live, and I compromised on a 60s house for location too.

The house I lived in (no.70) was similar brick and has been facelifted by the subsequent owners; that'll give you a good idea of what sort of thing is achievable. There's also a (IMO more successful) facelift not very far away: https://goo.gl/maps/FezJfY9RxV92 - neither are the same original design of house, though.

A front extension would be the ideal way to facelift it properly but I don't think that's possible due to the building line, so you'd be limited to changing materials, windows, porch etc.

Edited by Jobbo on Thursday 26th January 09:19

Mrs PR loves the look of that place (it's our shortcut to the "Vs")

[PositronicRay]

Just had a look @ the floor plan, very little natural light into the living room. Plus the garden will only get the sun until 2pm.

Rapidly talking ourselves out of arranging a viewing.

[PositronicRay]

Going off topic a bit, because a couple of posters seem to know the area.

2 interesting looking places within budget. (albeit not exactly perfect location)

One 1/2 way up Red Lane the other Highland Road. HS2 is due to through probably 400m from each house.
Do you think
a) Noise disturbance?
b) Difficulty selling?

[PositronicRay]

Jobbo said:

I've never been a fan of Red Lane - it's a bit far for nipping to the V's. Highland Road is probably going to suffer more from HS2, I'd say, and feels like somewhere old people live.

The most obvious alternative to the one you originally linked is on Amherst. That's the same basic house as my old place which is lighter, I think. But it also has an east facing garden which isn't enormous, and doesn't have a big frontage to make up for it.

Really it looks like there's not a lot on the market. We looked at absolutely loads of places in 2005/06 and there was far more to choose from.

Amherst, Rose Croft, Berkeley, Bromley and Fernhill close are all on the list, as is Brookside and Fishponds rd (backing onto open ground would be great) The house currently available on Amherst has an awkward layout on the ground floor with narrow small rooms.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

We've actually more space in our current (extended semi) on Priorsfield Rd. Sq footage isn't the point though, we don't need a huge space or 4 bedrooms, it's how useable the space is.

Second look, the agent is advertising the place as "great potential"

Still no hurry, we'll wait.

[PositronicRay]

V8RX7 said:

On a wet night, outside, I can hear the trains that are over a mile away.

400m if there are some homes (rather than fields) is enough IMO for them not to worry you inside but you will hear them outside personally I doubt there will be that many trains - if the right house came up it wouldn't stop me buying it but obviously if the same house came up a mile away, I'd prefer it.

Both houses have open fields between them and HS2.