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Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:27 am
by Count Steer
MrLongbeard wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 9:09 am
Count Steer wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 7:43 am (What's non-standard about the bogs?)
Not the usual oval seats and small cisterns, just me being gun shy after trying to service a new trendy bog after it had been fitted for 5 or so years and struggled to find spares, and refused to pay the 5 x mark up on a new seat just because it wasn't oval.
YMMV of course, but first thing I'd do is rip 'em out and replace with regular non trendy sanitary ware, nope that's a lie, first thing I'd do is make sure there are, or install, shut offs / isolators on every water line
I take your point but, if I found a place I wanted and was chucking half a million-ish into it, the bog seats are little more than a minor irritation/background noise. :D (I'd also try and resist the temptation to push myself to the limit on price and keep a £stash for eliminating the niggly bits and tweaking to my/our requirements).

Having said that, I'm very much a 'Is it in the right place? Is it about right? It'll do. :thumbup: ' person. Fortunately my missus is too and not a 'let's redecorate/get new carpets/furniture/etc etc every 5 years' type.

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:28 am
by weeksy
crust wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:09 am Liking the one with a big garage, room to park van + cars, end of a dead end road :thumbup:
That one would be a bit of a project really as it'd take a while to sort the kitchen, the bathroom and a few other bits... Of course you could theoretically do that over time rather than all at once, but would need as i say a chunk of work and expense. But in many ways it was pretty good.... but not fabulous.

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:29 am
by weeksy
Count Steer wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:27 am Having said that, I'm very much a 'Is it in the right place? Is it about right? It'll do. :thumbup: ' person.
Me too, but it's a massive step and as you say, the best part of half a million quid, so it's got to be pretty close for sure.

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 11:48 am
by Count Steer
weeksy wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:29 am
Count Steer wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:27 am Having said that, I'm very much a 'Is it in the right place? Is it about right? It'll do. :thumbup: ' person.
Me too, but it's a massive step and as you say, the best part of half a million quid, so it's got to be pretty close for sure.
When we bought this place we'd sold our old one and agreed a hand-over date (unusual but it wasn't a typical situation) and were ready to rent if needs be. Saw this place and said 'It'll do, for now' and bought it.

20ish years later.....we're still here. :lol:

It's way off what I really want in many ways, but it's bob on location and situation-wise.

Have looked as far afield as N Wales and Shropshire, Peak District (and France) etc over the years. Found better houses (for less money) but, just sometimes, you land in your 'sweet spot'.

We probably will move again, but not far. (If I can get over the inertia :lol: ).

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 12:00 pm
by Yorick
When we bought this place, we had perfect situation

It was for sale on a rent to by scheme.
It was 3 huge apartments and we rented the top floor with huge balcony.

We got builders in to check it all over. It was just scruffy and rundown after 5 years rentals.
This reflected our first offer 40k under sale price.
This was quickly accepted.
Then the legal stuff started.

We discovered that it was only legally a 3 bed, not 5. The basement appt wasn't in the deeds.

So another 40k was knocked off our offer. Instantly accepted ;)

If we hadn't been renting here, we'd never have known any of this.

So we got rather a good deal ;)

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:07 pm
by MingtheMerciless
Do you want to be in cycling distance of the cycling centre as No.4 is 8 miles or so from it?

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:08 pm
by weeksy
MingtheMerciless wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:07 pm Do you want to be in cycling distance of the cycling centre as No.4 is 8 miles or so from it?
It's not a prerquisite. It would be nice yes... but it's only a part of the list.

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:01 pm
by Mr Moofo
weeksy wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:08 pm
MingtheMerciless wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:07 pm Do you want to be in cycling distance of the cycling centre as No.4 is 8 miles or so from it?
It's not a prerquisite. It would be nice yes... but it's only a part of the list.
As someone who has moved 27 times since I was 21, and twice to "the middle of nowhere". Don't - the novelty soon wear off, being woken by only the sound of cow bells was lovely for a few days. But getting a taxi to the train station, having to go out to buy milk, waiting for the one bus a day, the risk of getting snowed in, the time to a doctors or hospital all become an issue ...
At least find somewhere with a shop, a pub and a vague sense of community - it makes a great difference

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:31 pm
by Taff
weeksy wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:08 pm
MingtheMerciless wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:07 pm Do you want to be in cycling distance of the cycling centre as No.4 is 8 miles or so from it?
It's not a prerquisite. It would be nice yes... but it's only a part of the list.
As you know, Cannop is home to probably about a quarter of the single-track in the forest, I go there so infrequently that I haven't bothered buying a parking pass for quite a few years.

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:34 pm
by crust
Mr Moofo wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:01 pm
weeksy wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:08 pm
MingtheMerciless wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:07 pm Do you want to be in cycling distance of the cycling centre as No.4 is 8 miles or so from it?
It's not a prerquisite. It would be nice yes... but it's only a part of the list.
As someone who has moved 27 times since I was 21, and twice to "the middle of nowhere". Don't - the novelty soon wear off, being woking by only the sound of cow bells was lovely for a few days. But getting a taxi to the train station, having to go out to buy milk, waiting for the one bus a day, the risk of getting snowed in, the time to a doctors or hospital all become an issue ...
At least find somewhere with a shop, a pub and a vague sense of community - it make sense great difference
He lives in the middle of nowhere now, there's a pub (occasionally - it goes bust every couple of years), a shop and a barbers. Doesn't get snowed in but the roads around his village flood or get closed.

Beeching took care of the station. :lol:

It's a lovely place.

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 5:02 pm
by weeksy
crust wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:34 pm
Mr Moofo wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:01 pm
weeksy wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:08 pm

It's not a prerquisite. It would be nice yes... but it's only a part of the list.
As someone who has moved 27 times since I was 21, and twice to "the middle of nowhere". Don't - the novelty soon wear off, being woking by only the sound of cow bells was lovely for a few days. But getting a taxi to the train station, having to go out to buy milk, waiting for the one bus a day, the risk of getting snowed in, the time to a doctors or hospital all become an issue ...
At least find somewhere with a shop, a pub and a vague sense of community - it make sense great difference
He lives in the middle of nowhere now, there's a pub (occasionally - it goes bust every couple of years), a shop and a barbers. Doesn't get snowed in but the roads around his village flood or get closed.

Beeching took care of the station. :lol:

It's a lovely place.
I love the way he thinks we can get a taxi :D :D

We don't get Taxis here, we can't order take-away, Deliveroo don't know we exist.

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 5:07 pm
by Rockburner
weeksy wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 5:02 pm
crust wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:34 pm
Mr Moofo wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:01 pm

As someone who has moved 27 times since I was 21, and twice to "the middle of nowhere". Don't - the novelty soon wear off, being woking by only the sound of cow bells was lovely for a few days. But getting a taxi to the train station, having to go out to buy milk, waiting for the one bus a day, the risk of getting snowed in, the time to a doctors or hospital all become an issue ...
At least find somewhere with a shop, a pub and a vague sense of community - it make sense great difference
He lives in the middle of nowhere now, there's a pub (occasionally - it goes bust every couple of years), a shop and a barbers. Doesn't get snowed in but the roads around his village flood or get closed.

Beeching took care of the station. :lol:

It's a lovely place.
I love the way he thinks we can get a taxi :D :D

We don't get Taxis here, we can't order take-away, Deliveroo don't know we exist.
Similar - we "can" get taxis, but only from certain firms (Uber just craps out, no-driver wil accept the job); Every restaurant we've tried with Just Eat (our app of choice) just ignores us - the first night we were here no less than 3 curry houses took the order off Just Eat's system, then cancelled after realising where we are.

Luckily have found that direct contact with local places results in better delivery services.

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 5:48 pm
by Pirahna
I moved from London to a small village in Hertfordshire. One intermittent pub, no shop, no taxis, no home delivery takeaway. I had bridleways running north, south, east and west within 200 metres of my house for p pretty much unlimited walking and cycling, miles of lanes for road cycling, and met a great bunch of people.

My nearest neighbour here in Spain is a kilometre away, but it's only five minutes down the track and another five minutes into the village. Great cycling and walking all around, I don't regret my move out of London or my move here.

It's inevitable that I won't be able to live where I do forever, before that time comes I'll have bought a house in the village and that's where I'll end my days.

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 6:14 pm
by Sunny
weeksy wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 5:02 pm
crust wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:34 pm
Mr Moofo wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:01 pm

As someone who has moved 27 times since I was 21, and twice to "the middle of nowhere". Don't - the novelty soon wear off, being woking by only the sound of cow bells was lovely for a few days. But getting a taxi to the train station, having to go out to buy milk, waiting for the one bus a day, the risk of getting snowed in, the time to a doctors or hospital all become an issue ...
At least find somewhere with a shop, a pub and a vague sense of community - it make sense great difference
He lives in the middle of nowhere now, there's a pub (occasionally - it goes bust every couple of years), a shop and a barbers. Doesn't get snowed in but the roads around his village flood or get closed.

Beeching took care of the station. :lol:

It's a lovely place.
I love the way he thinks we can get a taxi :D :D

We don't get Taxis here, we can't order take-away, Deliveroo don't know we exist.
Same! Although, there is one curry place that will deliver to us, but they usually get lost, so we collect to save them the bother. 😆

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 7:00 pm
by Mr Moofo
crust wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:34 pm
Mr Moofo wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:01 pm
weeksy wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:08 pm

It's not a prerquisite. It would be nice yes... but it's only a part of the list.
As someone who has moved 27 times since I was 21, and twice to "the middle of nowhere". Don't - the novelty soon wear off, being woking by only the sound of cow bells was lovely for a few days. But getting a taxi to the train station, having to go out to buy milk, waiting for the one bus a day, the risk of getting snowed in, the time to a doctors or hospital all become an issue ...
At least find somewhere with a shop, a pub and a vague sense of community - it make sense great difference
He lives in the middle of nowhere now, there's a pub (occasionally - it goes bust every couple of years), a shop and a barbers. Doesn't get snowed in but the roads around his village flood or get closed.

Beeching took care of the station. :lol:

It's a lovely place.
However, he is actually never there …

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 7:03 pm
by MrLongbeard
Same, a town of 6000, 1 pub will deliver burgers, but no other food delivery places, no taxi's, no super superfast broadband, no 5G, nearest McDonalds an hour round trip, love it.

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 9:59 pm
by Taipan
Is takeaway delivery really a factor when buying a place? :wtf:

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:01 pm
by KungFooBob
Taipan wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 9:59 pm Is takeaway delivery really a factor when buying a place? :wtf:
I live 260m as the crow flies from my local Curry House, they do a £13 three course meal deal. I go at least once a week, it's easier than cooking/loading the dish washer :)

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:28 pm
by Sunny
Taipan wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 9:59 pm Is takeaway delivery really a factor when buying a place? :wtf:
Not necessarily, but it can be a surprise when you're used to not having to think about such things 😆

Honestly, the taxi thing is a way bigger PITA, every time we are heading to an airport.

Re: New build houses, yeah or nah?

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:53 pm
by Mr Moofo
Sunny wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:28 pm
Taipan wrote: Mon Oct 27, 2025 9:59 pm Is takeaway delivery really a factor when buying a place? :wtf:
Not necessarily, but it can be a surprise when you're used to not having to think about such things 😆

Honestly, the taxi thing is a way bigger PITA, every time we are heading to an airport.
Bleeding hell, you all have odd metrics about buying a house. I never mentioned takeaway deliveries . However you lot did …
The middle of nowhere is more what happens when your car breaks down, health scares, having to take kids everywhere all the time.
But i will just let you all live in splendid isolation! And the Count is telling porkies - he lives in the most expensive village in Surrey!