One piece of advice you wish you'd known before buying a house?
Tom Flanagan
9 years ago
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Lynne Mysliwiec
8 years agocarvellassociates
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Need advice on our new house
Comments (13)I have spent a fortune in Laura Ashley and I have found that the quality isn't in their items. An oak dining chair broke the first time it was used; knob to the tv cabinet within a year came off and now regularly needs to be fixed; a Langham knowle sofa looks exhausted although it has been sat on no more than a dozen times and wallpaper within 6 months was peeling off the walls - despite using LA wallpaper paste. I have now moved and have redecorated again and the decorator warned, WARNED me about using LA paint as it is impossible to paint with and get a good finish. Most of the items were bought for my mother with the exception of the sofa and she is in her late 70's and is bird like she is so thin. LA has great style - so do what we did when my mum down sized and needed to buy more appropriate furniture - we used the catalogues for design ideas and shopped elsewhere. If you don't believe me have a look on Ebay for LA sofas and chairs - some are being sold in pristine condition (LA does have spectacular discounts for shop floor furniture on sale) and the stuff that is used... I must also mention that this is going back 3 years - things may have changed but now that I know about this website I would only source from here - afterall, who wants a look that everyone has, on here and sites such as pinkapple, notonthehighstreet, Etsy etc one can find truly beautiful and unique pieces that are timeless/ on trend and original....See MoreWhat's the best piece of life advice you've ever received?
Comments (56)Mum always says.... - Only take out a mortgage that you can afford to pay on one wage (in case of redundancy/pregnancy etc). - You soon lose weight when you’re ill so eat how you want to until that day! Dad always says.... - Put your socks on before your shoes! - Don’t worry about things until they happen....See MoreConsidering offer on Victorian terraces- advice needed!
Comments (5)You should consider how much the bigger property will be worth when renovated and if you can afford to do the work then the prudent offer will be the end value minus the cost of work plus a bit extra for the hassle and unforeseen costs. The bigger property does sound to be better. It may be that you shouldn't replace the windows. Often original windows are a desirable feature in a period house so don't be in a hurry to rip them out. You can keep heat in in other ways by getting draft proofing, great curtains and. Enter loft insulation. As far as the damp goes (reading between the lines) it sounds like the seller is going to resolve this- it will then need time for the new plaster to dry before redecorating. Therefore you will likely move in with bare plaster but this gives you time to decide how to make it your own....See Morewhat you’re glad you have/wish you’d had in your family home?
Comments (10)Decent sized bedrooms are good at any age - as younger children size is useful to accommodate toys and as teenagers they’re more likely to spend more time in their rooms so perhaps making them large enough for a small seating area as well would be good. Similarly, a separate ‘living’ space downstairs is also useful as a play room when they’re younger & somewhere for relaxing / games room when they’re older. We’re not keen on our children having the x box in their rooms do having an extra space downstairs for that is useful. A laundry room or utility is useful for all the extra washing children create to avoid having it all around the house on wet days. Garden size possibly depends on amenities close to you (parks, etc) but personally feel that as large a garden as possible really helps with primary age children. We chose our current house partly because of the garden size & style - plenty of lawned area. Our last garden was tiered with decks & patios - great for adult socialising but nowhere big enough to kick a ball. Bathrooms - a bath in at least one with shower over (or shower attachment) for hosing children down if necessary!...See MoreJan Johnson
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