Downsizing to a dilapidated bungalow

Only you can make that decision, but if you are going to go ahead and carry out major work then do have an in depth structural survey. There could be a lot of nasties that aren’t obvious and they could be very expensive to put right.

My sister bought a dilapidated bungalow and they have added an extension at the front, en-suite, kitchen , floors, roof - everything. It now looks gorgeous, but it was a year of living in one room and / or staying with friends and relatives. However, they did buy it cheaply and spent as much again on the renovations. They wouldn’t do it again but love it now.

There have to be better choices

I would keep looking

You know the answer to your question already, Judecharli2 You don't need to ask it. If you have doubts, it is not the house for you.

The house next door needed a refurb when the elderly owner went into a home. The new owners thought they’d made a good deal on the purchase price. However, by the they’d finished doing it up, they realise they’d paid too much for the house. Even with ‘mates’ rates’ favours from their friends, the newbies were well out of pocket. Check your renovation costing very carefully before committing to this bungalow. It could become a nightmare. Already you seem to have fallen out of love with it.

Judecharli2

I don’t know what to do, I’m selling my house because it’s too big now and the garden is hard to manage, but the property I have found is a 1960s bungalow which needs a complete refurbishment and an extension to take out some of the garden. This will use all my profit on the house I sell, I really don’t know what to do.

Have you got the estate agents blurb? Is the bungalow on the agent's website? If you post a link that showed photographs, I would have a better idea before offering any advice.

If you specifically want a bungalow I would say go for it as they are in short supply.

Could you afford to rent somewhere nearby, perhaps a small flat, while the refurbishment is taking place?

It could be such an exciting venture as you would end up with a home exactly matching your taste and requirements.

If the location is perfect for you then it is worth a few months of upheaval to get the perfect home.

Have you tried putting in a really cheeky offer, given all the work which needs doing?

I'm not sure Dinahmo but I think that was what was meant. OP said that her present home has a too large garden and she's wanting to downsize partly because of that. But the bungalow sounds as though it also has a large garden, plus other negatives. It's a lot to think about and consider before making a decision though.

Assuming you have fallen in love with this dilapidated bungalow then the first thing you need to do is sit down and list all the things that you have to do rather than the things that you would like to do. It might well be that the 'must do' list amounts to little more than cleaning, painting and a few repairs. Even the most antiquated accommodation can be perfectly OK for a while if clean and freshly decorated.

Chewbacca

^Why do you need an extension^

In the OP it says that an extension is to use up some of the garden; I assume to make it a more manageable size.

I had assumed that "to use up some of hte garden" was some sort of mistype. Rather an expensive way of making the garden smaller. Why not just leave part of the garden to go wild. Apart from being good for wildlife, it's fashionable these days.

Why make life difficult for yourself and cause a lot of stress? Can you find something you could just move straight into?
I wouldn’t want to have workmen in unless I absolutely had to.
Keep looking for a property that really suits you. Good luck. X

Shandy, I've been following you on your thread and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the perfect little house is waiting for you when you go to look at some next month.

I agree. Don't do it, wait for something better to come along. On the other hand, if you have a buyer for your old place then you might be tempted to go ahead so as not to lose your sale. Or if the new location is just where you want to be, again, you might be tempted to go ahead. Remember also that until the end of next March there is a reduction on stamp duty which might encourage you to move quickly as there are savings to be made which may pay for some of your renovations. Make a friend of your estate agent. They are not all bad and the experienced ones can give you good free advice.

I am looking for a bungalow with little work needed apart from redecoration. Finding it hard as so many are in an appalling state in my low price range, I think I may have to get a flat instead. Time and energy are short nowadays, I just want to unpack and enjoy myself.

I hope you can find something already renovated, and have some cash leftover.

we couldn’t stand the place anymore. And that's exactly how I feel about this place now Doodle. Everyone tells me how lovely it is now but it's been one damned thing after another that's needed "urgent attention".

I agree with Chewbacca - think very carefully!

Agree with Chewbacca the idea of a major refurb would get me panicking plus using up a lot of your savings. Better look for something that doesn't need so much work, an apartment would be cheaper and easier with no garden maintenance.

DONT DO IT. We did exactly that. Took all of our spare money and more. Took ages to get the work done and we lived in mess all the time. When it was finished we moved ASAP as we couldn’t stand the place anymore. Now live in a lovely flat. Please reconsider. Perhaps a smaller flat or place in better condition

We refurbed our 1950s bungalow 22 years ago, but we were renting whilst the work was being done.
We had refurbed several houses before but that was the last one, never again.
Unless it’s very very cheap and you can get the whole thing done by a builder who you trust and you have somewhere else to live when the work is being done, I wouldn’t go there.
Walk away and get something ready for you to move into, at least you will know exactly how much money you will have left to live on.

Yes I agree with Chewbacca renovating needs a bottomless pit of money. Look for something which doesn't need so much work Judecharli2 Apart from the money all the work can be wearisome.

Why do you need an extension

In the OP it says that an extension is to use up some of the garden; I assume to make it a more manageable size.

Why do you need an extension. If it's just you it may not be necessary.

Look for something more suitable. DH is an Architect and is often asked to do a fee proposal for upgrading properties.
Most of the time the clients are shocked at the costs and will either scale down their expectations or find another property.
Unless the property is an outstanding piece of architecture he sometimes feels it would be better and more cost effective to demolish and start again.

get some estimates before you sign if you can get anyone to come out!

I'm with Chewbacca. What you can see needs doing will only be half of what actually needs doing. And don't be taken in by those renovation programmes were the new bathroom only costs them a thousand!

If you are still thinking of going ahead get some estimates before you sign. I think you'll be shocked!