Room to Improve (v2)

the_pen_turner

the under stairs toilet still anoys me. we cannot find out toilet in there then shows a room with crap dumped in it and you can see half the toilet clearly.

a visit from one of the hoarders programmes would have been better. i cannot see how they needed all that stuff in the garage

it is still a 4 bed house for 6 of them.

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118707601#Comment_118707601

they very much would get the million for it

Sunny Dayz

She didn't seem to be too worried about money - and wanting to spend on her champagne tastes with a lemonade budget. Seemed to be about what SHE wanted, decorated like the G Hotel, big open window in the kitchen for entertaining - nothing mentioned about anything for the kids at all.

Felt like the program didn't show much of the build at all. No mention of this big kitchen window until it was in, anything about kitchen appliances, layout, bathrooms etc. What happened the garage?

They are very lucky they've been in a position to buy and do up a house in a more affluent part of Dublin where they grew up.

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118707969#Comment_118707969

It didnt make sense to have that toilet full of clutter given that they had young kids. If thats how they lived before they will have the house back full of clutter in no time.

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708050#Comment_118708050

lol at lemonade budget

they easily touched the 1m in spending on that house

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708050#Comment_118708050

Agree with you. She got a brilliant window but a crap kitchen that is like an alleyway - very little actual work space and not practical for family life. For someone that wanted to entertain its a very small space. She will have to put people sitting outside at the big window!

the_pen_turner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708058#Comment_118708058

if you were that tight on space why would you not put the clutter in the toilet upstairs that doent work and use the one that does work.

i would be embarrassed to go on tv and tell the nation that i have a toilet that i couldnt be bothered to fix

Sunny Dayz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708080#Comment_118708080

Yeah I'm a little puzzled about the kitchen. Will people [kids] be walking [running[ in and out through the kitchen to get to the living area or outside to the garden? What about all the press doors, do they open out or do the slide in somewhere that they can be left open but not cause an obstruction? Over and back from presses to kitchen "island" and kids running in and out the place.

Sunny Dayz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708065#Comment_118708065

They started the program by saying their budget was €275k with little to no contingency. And a number of times the budget being referred to and serious face on the QS. And then they are off looking at furnishings in the G Hotel and a house in Dalkey!

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708045#Comment_118708045

A quick look on myhome and you can get a 3 bed 1 bath for 675. A three bed 3 bath for 750 and a 5 bed 5 bath for 750.

There's nothing really special about that house. I probably wouldn't have paid the initial 600k for it to begin with.

For starters young family and all those steps up to front door. There does seem to be a door beside the garage door but no idea where that leads to.

You are very much on top of your neighbours, that's a given in suburbia but the neighbours attic windows look direct into your property. Usually you'd have the width of a road or backgarden between windows.

There's also no further scope for expanding.

So no I definitely don't think it's worth a million.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708050#Comment_118708050

She reminded me of the "Jacuzzi wan" from a few seasons ago.

Especially when she rocked into the G hotel looking like a Christmas bauble.

Very much "all about me" and we absolutely didn't need to know where the 4th child was conceived.

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708519#Comment_118708519

What you value it at is a bit irrelevant. Property around Howth, Sutton, Portmarnock, Malahide is highly inflated currently and any decent property is routinely going for six figures over already high asking prices.

A four bed family home in Howth with such a high standard finish would quite easily reach a million.

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708160#Comment_118708160

yeah the by now exceptionally tedious dance around budgets on RTI... same story every week. Really eyerollingly boring.

Pussyhands

Irish people really do have a horn for all things property.

Look at the self build renovations group on facebook and it's just full of people showing off living in a fantasy world. Vast majority of them aren't even self builds, they're just companies hired to do the work and then a picture posted at the end to show everyone else what they have. You can be sure anyone within a year of doing some kind of work on their house is glued to RTI.

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708537#Comment_118708537

lol that was a bit grim

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708777#Comment_118708777

I was born and raised in the area. There's much better value out there in the areas you've mentioned. A million spend in a housing estate with very little outdoor space especially when you've 4 young children. To me isn't good value.

However if you think it's good value that's your perogative.

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708937#Comment_118708937

Didn't say that did I? I live in the area myself. I don't think housing offers anything remotely near "value" around here... but my feelings on the matter aren't relevant.

Sure we put in an asking price bid on a modest 4 bed recently in Sutton... At last check it's 160k over asking and it wasn't a giveaway to start with. We had long bowed out at that stage.

chooey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118706230#Comment_118706230

There definitely is. Where I live, houses are selling for about 650-700k. They sell, planning notice goes up, hoarding and a complete new house extension done. We got a quote for a small back extension and a room over the garage and it's coming in with no change from 300k. Not sure how anyone is affording to buy now and do it up, but there seems to be no end of them.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708937#Comment_118708937

the current housing market has absolutely NOTHING to do with value! Its supply and demand. Plus this property is in Howth with a pretty good view, there would be plenty that would pay 1million for it..... not me but plenty!

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118710528#Comment_118710528

Well no house on that road has sold for a million, according to property price index going back to 2010.

The highest was a 5 bed double story that looks absolutely massive, sold in November 2020 for 820, another sold in April 2020 for 560.

I fully appreciate that the housing market goes up and down.

I just can't see a fairly small bungalow outperforming a large double story.

But then if someone wants to pay 50-100% more for a property similar to their neighbours that's their choice.

GAAcailin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118711147#Comment_118711147

Which road is it in Howth?

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118711241#Comment_118711241

Casana view.

Addle

Loved the block party. Great idea.

KevRossi

Mixed views about the house. I think it's fine for a couple with no kids, but the young wans and herself being messy will have it wrecked in no time. She/they are hoarders. See something, buy it. I think her 'office' at the front right of the house (was supposed to be a bedroom) will be packed full of crap by now.

I get what they were doing with the central wall, but I'd be driven mad with all the similar doors and looking for something. I suppose you'd get used to it.

Front glass door faces NW, so no setting sun there much a la Newgrange. I wouldn't like it if people can see in.

I loved the bi-folds going on to the terrace. I'd use that a lot with an awning over the terrace for the sun and cooler evenings.

Also loved her shower tiles, probably the only time when her style and mine met up.

Overall it's a lot for a house, hope they are happy in it for good with their little family.

Muahahaha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118711147#Comment_118711147

I agree, its not worth a million. They would have gotten a far bigger house and garden had they just had a million to spend to begin with.

But instead it was a purchase for 650k odd and then some mission creep with the renovation to take it past the million mark. Thats a lot of money to pay to be still be living in a housing estate with no real garden. I think it was more a matter that they felt they had to live in that part of Howth to be close to family and friends so to them its probably worth it, they are what estate agents call special purchasers in that regard.

But their money would have gotten a lot more space and a better house elsewhere, for a million they even could have been closer to the city centre than Howth. Here is a much bigger house near Clontarf, 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms across 284sqm and a garden plus sea views, asking 875k. And doesnt need all the stress of a big renovation and moving out paying rent while its ongoing

https://www.daft.ie/for-sale/terraced-house-405-clontarf-road-clontarf-dublin-3/3636104

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118711514#Comment_118711514

Well there's currently a 5 bed 5 bath for sale in howth for 750. I appreciate a bidding war may happen and it might go for more.

They originally paid 600k for a very tired house. I'm not sure it was worth that to begin with, as it looked like it had never been decorated or maintained. I understand the saying buy the worst house on the best road etc.

I think his mam lives on the road so I assume there maybe a childcare benefit too.

Those steps up to the hall door with 4 kids seems total madness (appreciate that's the design of the original house) do they drag a buggy up or park it in the garage. Carrying a weekly shop for 6 people up those steps....I know I sound abit precious but for a million quid I want an easy life!

Plus a million spend to live down the road from your mother/mother in law Christ no 🤣🤣

Muahahaha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118711630#Comment_118711630

yeah given they ultimately demolished about 80% of the house what they actually paid 600k for was the land it sat on. Thats a lot of money to pay for a site. I know it had sea views but they werent uninterrupted either, there was a house in front of the view with its chimney obscuring the view to Lambay Island, that would do my nut in. I think with a view if its not uninterrupted then its not worth buying.

I think some people are far too open to buying a house that needs these major renovations and they lose sight altogether of how much money they could have saved by just spending more and buying a house that suits their needs in the first place. I totally get major renovations for people who are in a house for 10 or 15 years and its just not working for them. But buying a house at full market value and then go spending 300k+ on it just a year or two later just doesnt make any sort of economic sense.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118715365#Comment_118715365

For me personally I don't see the point in "paying for a view" especially if it means sacrificing outdoor space when you've small kids running around.

Realistically how often will you sit looking out? That particular view to see anything in the sea you'd need binoculars.

Not saying it's not "nice to have" but I'd definitely wouldn't be paying over the odds for it.

Again better value out there (I sound like a broken record) but the houses and bungalows along the coast road from black banks to Sutton sell for around a 800- million and they have lots of land. Or around the coast in baldoyle (he actually converted one a few years ago) . All of them have magnificent sea views that you would park yourself happily for the day....until the novelty wore off.

Granted you won't have the howth address.

I feel they initially paid over the odds to be close to mammy, then lost the run of themselves.

I think everyone is missing a point on that one, the house was purchased for lifestyle parents nearby, good neighbours(the bbq) very family friendly estate, children playing in tbe cul-de-sac. Those children will have tbe whole neighbourhood keeping and eye on they, they will be in the sailing club together, hang out together, go to each others debs people are willing to pay a lot of money for that lifestyle.

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118722890#Comment_118722890

But they could all get that elsewhere for cheaper and still be near his parents. The estate seemed to be full of older people - I wouldnt think there are much young families living there.

I just cant see how they can afford all they spent on that house ( possibly they won the lotto or got an inheritance). With 4 very young children and the high cost of childcare they will be very stretched financially.