great list JP and I can see why it worked for you both all these years :-) We had a similar list for the last house purchase but due to low-ish budget for what we wanted & the location, almost everything was under "possibility to create/ build/ remove" haha It worked though and I am so happy we didn't compromise when we got fed up looking.
Ive got to ask though - upvc windows? Have you ever only bought a house with wooden windows?
Ah the upvc dilemma. We have most definitely bought homes with upvc, but only if they were fitted a very long time ago and needed replacing. There was one house that had only recently installed them, but they were the white cheap kind and it would have cost a fortune to replace them, plus we would have been paying for those in the sale price, so we didn’t buy it. I’m talking about the 80s old school version because nowadays they can look just like traditional windows and I don’t have a problem with those. They’ve come a long way. It is proven though that if you have a period home and replace the original windows with plastic, it can devalue a home.
I shall steal your list as we’re currently looking for properties. We need a place with an annex for my parents. Our wishes can differ and trying to accommodate my mother whose comment on one property was “I can’t live there, my ex husband grew up in that village!” He would be 80 if he’s even still alive and so no current traces of him having ever lived there!
A very interesting article JP. Definitely food for thought for a lot of people. It encompasses so many of our previous requirements, prior to developing the house we bought on the Isle of Wight 12 years ago. It’s a slightly unusual market here to say the least not just because of geographic issues. Sadly Waitrose on the Island is a distance away but they do deliver to our beautiful location.
We do but there are limitations. The ferry is not cheap and the Island gets very busy in the Season. Being away from my young grandchildren is hard too. We are both older than you guys but don’t feel out of place here. It does in lots of ways feel like you’re living in a bit of a past bubble but that’s ok most of the time. There are a lot of retirees and of course a huge number of holiday/second homes. I think quite a lot of those will be going on the market because of the 100% increase in Council tax. We live on the extreme Western end of the Island and have distant sea views down to Hurst Castle which is a joy. Our house is weatherboarded rather like your previous but one house. It was a great project we undertook, huge amount of work but was worth it. Not a bad feat for us, especially my husband who was 77 at the time, but he’s an ex quantity surveyor/builder which helped tremendously.
Your house sounds idyllic Lynne. What a great project. In the end, for us it was the ferry that put us off the island, otherwise we would have loved it, I think. Yes, the second home council tax hike is becoming a huge problem, particularly in Wales. A huge amount of Airbnb businesses are going under.
I would have completely agreed with your list JP… but somehow I recently moved to a thatched, listed house in a conservative area…. It does have a Waitrose opening soon 10 minutes walk away though 😂
That is a very handy list to save getting TOO carried away with the emotionals (which we might just do anyway...) - and it's a big 🎯 to 'thatched' in my experience too
We’re in the midst of buying a house where I used my own point scoring system. We don’t the house but it fits well enough - although I’m now scared to use your system and see where we sit!
I’m stuck on hold so I did it! 31 with quite a few ? - such as TPOs and planning permissions - not sure how you find out about things like that.
And a couple of other half points such as how high end is the shopping 😂 … and I think you could build some sort of outbuilding, not sure how big it would be though. And the commute is good, not great but good.
So maybe there’s about 4 half points in there! It’s a townhouse that ticked boxes for us on size, proximity to a huge dog walking park and transport - plus was kind of in budget. I’m not convinced it’s going to be a money spinner but my last property wasn’t either! Thanks for the list ❤️
This is a brilliant list JP, thank you! I’ve just used the pros on my own house and scored 37. I will use it again as we’re thinking of moving next year. In terms of contentious point 15 you could add a Gail’s to that
Oh so interesting.. We are house hunting and have so many lists and scoring schedules! We've fallen in love with one that is utterly charming in a perfect location but only a two bed and listed so no opportunity to extend... can't decide whether to follow our hearts or our heads!
How many points are on your Pro list and how well does it score? You’ve told me about the Cons, but does it still measure up regardless? Might be worth putting it to the test.
Brilliant, JP. I wish I’d had this when I bought my own house. I think it’s a great idea that can be adapted for those not wishing to move up the ladder or massively renovate. I’m also wondering how you account for non-negotiable stuff; for me, for example, it would be off road parking so I can have a charge point plus not get involved in parking wars.
Love your points system and a great incentive list and food for thought for people who are looking to move home. Thanks for sharing JP and can’t wait to see your upcoming alterations to the garden and house. Xx
great list JP and I can see why it worked for you both all these years :-) We had a similar list for the last house purchase but due to low-ish budget for what we wanted & the location, almost everything was under "possibility to create/ build/ remove" haha It worked though and I am so happy we didn't compromise when we got fed up looking.
Ive got to ask though - upvc windows? Have you ever only bought a house with wooden windows?
Ah the upvc dilemma. We have most definitely bought homes with upvc, but only if they were fitted a very long time ago and needed replacing. There was one house that had only recently installed them, but they were the white cheap kind and it would have cost a fortune to replace them, plus we would have been paying for those in the sale price, so we didn’t buy it. I’m talking about the 80s old school version because nowadays they can look just like traditional windows and I don’t have a problem with those. They’ve come a long way. It is proven though that if you have a period home and replace the original windows with plastic, it can devalue a home.
I shall steal your list as we’re currently looking for properties. We need a place with an annex for my parents. Our wishes can differ and trying to accommodate my mother whose comment on one property was “I can’t live there, my ex husband grew up in that village!” He would be 80 if he’s even still alive and so no current traces of him having ever lived there!
Sounds like you definitely need that list Sam!
A very interesting article JP. Definitely food for thought for a lot of people. It encompasses so many of our previous requirements, prior to developing the house we bought on the Isle of Wight 12 years ago. It’s a slightly unusual market here to say the least not just because of geographic issues. Sadly Waitrose on the Island is a distance away but they do deliver to our beautiful location.
We seriously considered the IOW when we were looking. Do you love it there?
We do but there are limitations. The ferry is not cheap and the Island gets very busy in the Season. Being away from my young grandchildren is hard too. We are both older than you guys but don’t feel out of place here. It does in lots of ways feel like you’re living in a bit of a past bubble but that’s ok most of the time. There are a lot of retirees and of course a huge number of holiday/second homes. I think quite a lot of those will be going on the market because of the 100% increase in Council tax. We live on the extreme Western end of the Island and have distant sea views down to Hurst Castle which is a joy. Our house is weatherboarded rather like your previous but one house. It was a great project we undertook, huge amount of work but was worth it. Not a bad feat for us, especially my husband who was 77 at the time, but he’s an ex quantity surveyor/builder which helped tremendously.
Your house sounds idyllic Lynne. What a great project. In the end, for us it was the ferry that put us off the island, otherwise we would have loved it, I think. Yes, the second home council tax hike is becoming a huge problem, particularly in Wales. A huge amount of Airbnb businesses are going under.
I would have completely agreed with your list JP… but somehow I recently moved to a thatched, listed house in a conservative area…. It does have a Waitrose opening soon 10 minutes walk away though 😂
🤣🤣 Guess what? We now live in a conservation area and the barn used to be thatched! We also have a Waitrose!
Morning JP, just caught up. I’ve read your points list and it’s certainly food for thought. ❤️
Morning Karen. It’s a simple idea, but it works so well.
Great list JP. Thank you for sharing xx
You are most welcome Francesca
That is a very handy list to save getting TOO carried away with the emotionals (which we might just do anyway...) - and it's a big 🎯 to 'thatched' in my experience too
Our thatched local pub just burned down Mark! Second time in ten years.
And does sourh / east court?! 🙏
South east most definitely counts
We’re in the midst of buying a house where I used my own point scoring system. We don’t the house but it fits well enough - although I’m now scared to use your system and see where we sit!
Do it do it! 🤣
I’m stuck on hold so I did it! 31 with quite a few ? - such as TPOs and planning permissions - not sure how you find out about things like that.
And a couple of other half points such as how high end is the shopping 😂 … and I think you could build some sort of outbuilding, not sure how big it would be though. And the commute is good, not great but good.
So maybe there’s about 4 half points in there! It’s a townhouse that ticked boxes for us on size, proximity to a huge dog walking park and transport - plus was kind of in budget. I’m not convinced it’s going to be a money spinner but my last property wasn’t either! Thanks for the list ❤️
Loving your weighted ranking criteria. Waaay more precise than mine! Xxx
Years of practice and jiggery-pokery to get it right Penny!
♥️♥️♥️
Very extensive list JP! Pro’s and Con’s all listed!🏠 Making a cup of coffee ☕️ and delving deeper into your well thought out list!🤔😍
Happy midweek!🙋🏼♀️🌷
Thank you so much Chriss x
This is a brilliant list JP, thank you! I’ve just used the pros on my own house and scored 37. I will use it again as we’re thinking of moving next year. In terms of contentious point 15 you could add a Gail’s to that
That’s so cool Nicola. Yes, a Gail’s is a real selling point nowadays. We need one in Chichester!
It’s only a matter of time!
Oh so interesting.. We are house hunting and have so many lists and scoring schedules! We've fallen in love with one that is utterly charming in a perfect location but only a two bed and listed so no opportunity to extend... can't decide whether to follow our hearts or our heads!
How many points are on your Pro list and how well does it score? You’ve told me about the Cons, but does it still measure up regardless? Might be worth putting it to the test.
Brilliant, JP. I wish I’d had this when I bought my own house. I think it’s a great idea that can be adapted for those not wishing to move up the ladder or massively renovate. I’m also wondering how you account for non-negotiable stuff; for me, for example, it would be off road parking so I can have a charge point plus not get involved in parking wars.
Exactly that Moira, you can change the points to suit your needs.
Love your points system and a great incentive list and food for thought for people who are looking to move home. Thanks for sharing JP and can’t wait to see your upcoming alterations to the garden and house. Xx
Thank you Vickey. Lots going on here right now.