WHY are we in the UK obsessed with houses?
22 January 2015, 06:50 PM
#1
WHY are we in the UK obsessed with houses?
(rant mode:ON)
Every night on the TV, no matter what channel you choose, there's some **** selling, buying, doing up, choosing, wrecking, DIY-ing, being helped to choose, doing up to sell...houses.
In the UK, in the USA, in Europe, Australia, etc etc etc etc ad infinitum.
Is that all these numb ***** can think of for entertainment?
And to cap it all, the one that's on all the bloody time, every night, repeat after repeat, "A place in the sun, home or away", sets itself up as some sort of utterly stupid competition, the "away" presenter, Jasmine Harmon is about 6 foot but still wears 3" heels...and looks stupid with it, has the biggest overbite ever seen on TV, teeth like her dad was Mr. Ed, and talks in a sort of strangled, whiny estuary accent! A bullet would be kindest for her!
And before anyone says she's got big norks, yes, but that doesn't even start to compensate for the rest.
I'm utterly sick of it...and last night I saw yet ANOTHER format on the same tired old crap..........
(rant mode: OFF)
Every night on the TV, no matter what channel you choose, there's some **** selling, buying, doing up, choosing, wrecking, DIY-ing, being helped to choose, doing up to sell...houses.
In the UK, in the USA, in Europe, Australia, etc etc etc etc ad infinitum.
Is that all these numb ***** can think of for entertainment?
And to cap it all, the one that's on all the bloody time, every night, repeat after repeat, "A place in the sun, home or away", sets itself up as some sort of utterly stupid competition, the "away" presenter, Jasmine Harmon is about 6 foot but still wears 3" heels...and looks stupid with it, has the biggest overbite ever seen on TV, teeth like her dad was Mr. Ed, and talks in a sort of strangled, whiny estuary accent! A bullet would be kindest for her!
And before anyone says she's got big norks, yes, but that doesn't even start to compensate for the rest.
I'm utterly sick of it...and last night I saw yet ANOTHER format on the same tired old crap..........
(rant mode: OFF)
22 January 2015, 06:59 PM
#3
In the UK 'we' are obsessed by property, as we regard it as a colossal investment (which it is, when compared to anything else).
I say 'we', as I'm not one of 'em. I rent. I may get a house, I may not. Couldn't give a toss about the positive equity you may accrue by having a house. That aspect is only relevant if you considerably downside in your later years so as to release the cash to enrich your retirement... But how many people ACTUALLY do that.
Humble bricks, floor area and ceiling height are overrated IMO.
- Hey, lay off The Harman - "You're talking about the woman I love!!" [To quote the sadly departed, great Rik Mayall]
I say 'we', as I'm not one of 'em. I rent. I may get a house, I may not. Couldn't give a toss about the positive equity you may accrue by having a house. That aspect is only relevant if you considerably downside in your later years so as to release the cash to enrich your retirement... But how many people ACTUALLY do that.
Humble bricks, floor area and ceiling height are overrated IMO.
- Hey, lay off The Harman - "You're talking about the woman I love!!" [To quote the sadly departed, great Rik Mayall
]
Last edited by joz8968; 22 January 2015 at 07:05 PM.
22 January 2015, 07:24 PM
#4
Scooby Regular
(rant mode:ON)
Every night on the TV, no matter what channel you choose, there's some **** selling, buying, doing up, choosing, wrecking, DIY-ing, being helped to choose, doing up to sell...houses.
In the UK, in the USA, in Europe, Australia, etc etc etc etc ad infinitum.
Is that all these numb ***** can think of for entertainment?
And to cap it all, the one that's on all the bloody time, every night, repeat after repeat, "A place in the sun, home or away", sets itself up as some sort of utterly stupid competition, the "away" presenter, Jasmine Harmon is about 6 foot but still wears 3" heels...and looks stupid with it, has the biggest overbite ever seen on TV, teeth like her dad was Mr. Ed, and talks in a sort of strangled, whiny estuary accent! A bullet would be kindest for her!
And before anyone says she's got big norks, yes, but that doesn't even start to compensate for the rest.
I'm utterly sick of it...and last night I saw yet ANOTHER format on the same tired old crap..........
(rant mode: OFF)
Every night on the TV, no matter what channel you choose, there's some **** selling, buying, doing up, choosing, wrecking, DIY-ing, being helped to choose, doing up to sell...houses.
In the UK, in the USA, in Europe, Australia, etc etc etc etc ad infinitum.
Is that all these numb ***** can think of for entertainment?
And to cap it all, the one that's on all the bloody time, every night, repeat after repeat, "A place in the sun, home or away", sets itself up as some sort of utterly stupid competition, the "away" presenter, Jasmine Harmon is about 6 foot but still wears 3" heels...and looks stupid with it, has the biggest overbite ever seen on TV, teeth like her dad was Mr. Ed, and talks in a sort of strangled, whiny estuary accent! A bullet would be kindest for her!
And before anyone says she's got big norks, yes, but that doesn't even start to compensate for the rest.
I'm utterly sick of it...and last night I saw yet ANOTHER format on the same tired old crap..........
(rant mode: OFF)
It is quite sad isn't it?
22 January 2015, 07:28 PM
#5
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: If you're not braking or accelerating you're wasting time.
Posts: 2,684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's ludicrous.You need to be a millionaire even to start on the ladder.
Most modern houses are so easy to build and should be dirt cheap.
The rental market needs far more regulation to enable fair rents for long term tenants/families & ensure good quality housing.
It works on the continent.
Most modern houses are so easy to build and should be dirt cheap.
The rental market needs far more regulation to enable fair rents for long term tenants/families & ensure good quality housing.
It works on the continent.
22 January 2015, 07:29 PM
#6
Ahh, your watching TV in the time slots reserved for the stay at home mummies and those in retirement 
One could say its a conspiracy to drive the economy by getting all the rich retirees to spend some dough (well, the shows based in the UK - escape to the country etc.) Or its just a pointless "Through the Keyhole" type excercise for the stay at home mummies to bitch about the colour of the curtains.
Anyhoo, I have one name for you:
Sara Damergi
Ding dong. That is all
One could say its a conspiracy to drive the economy by getting all the rich retirees to spend some dough (well, the shows based in the UK - escape to the country etc.) Or its just a pointless "Through the Keyhole" type excercise for the stay at home mummies to bitch about the colour of the curtains.Anyhoo, I have one name for you:
Sara Damergi
Ding dong. That is all
Trending Topics
Think I've even had a dream about Martin and Lucy due to watching 100's of episodes 
22 January 2015, 07:42 PM
#11
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: .
Posts: 20,035
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's not just programmes about property, it's TV in general. 99% of it is made for braindead w4nkers that have no job or life.
As bad as the property programmes are compared to the soaps they are masterpieces of TV making.
If you actually have time to watch and derive enjoyment from the soaps then you're a good argument for human culling in my book!
As bad as the property programmes are compared to the soaps they are masterpieces of TV making.
If you actually have time to watch and derive enjoyment from the soaps then you're a good argument for human culling in my book!
22 January 2015, 07:48 PM
#12
Scooby Regular
I think it is simply a combination of the home being a "castle" and the perception that you can make serious money from them
And in certain parts of the country that is absolutely true
I was having lunch in london today with an old friend, he is moving to what looks like a lovely part of France (il de re)
He is selling up, a nice, but nothing special 4 bed in Wandsworth - been advised to put is on the market for 1.75 million
He paid 240k in 1995 (the mortgage was often covered by tennants - in fact he ended up marrying of them, so an added bonus is that his living cost were of peanuts)
No that is over a million quid 100% tax free
Not bad going - and when the buyers solicitors deposits the money in his account, that is real money
And in certain parts of the country that is absolutely true
I was having lunch in london today with an old friend, he is moving to what looks like a lovely part of France (il de re)
He is selling up, a nice, but nothing special 4 bed in Wandsworth - been advised to put is on the market for 1.75 million
He paid 240k in 1995 (the mortgage was often covered by tennants - in fact he ended up marrying of them, so an added bonus is that his living cost were of peanuts)
No that is over a million quid 100% tax free
Not bad going - and when the buyers solicitors deposits the money in his account, that is real money
)
22 January 2015, 08:52 PM
#16
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: I'll check my gps
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
22 January 2015, 09:03 PM
#18
Scooby Regular
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Here, There, Everywhere
Posts: 10,619
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In the UK 'we' are obsessed by property, as we regard it as a colossal investment (which it is, when compared to anything else).
I say 'we', as I'm not one of 'em. I rent. I may get a house, I may not. Couldn't give a toss about the positive equity you may accrue by having a house. That aspect is only relevant if you considerably downside in your later years so as to release the cash to enrich your retirement... But how many people ACTUALLY do that.
Humble bricks, floor area and ceiling height are overrated IMO.
- Hey, lay off The Harman - "You're talking about the woman I love!!" [To quote the sadly departed, great Rik Mayall]
I say 'we', as I'm not one of 'em. I rent. I may get a house, I may not. Couldn't give a toss about the positive equity you may accrue by having a house. That aspect is only relevant if you considerably downside in your later years so as to release the cash to enrich your retirement... But how many people ACTUALLY do that.
Humble bricks, floor area and ceiling height are overrated IMO.
- Hey, lay off The Harman - "You're talking about the woman I love!!" [To quote the sadly departed, great Rik Mayall
]Most rents are the equivalent of a Mortgage anyway.
If you pay a Mortgage for 25 years you have a secure roof over your head come retirement. Hopefully enough to allow you to pay the bills and make sure you are able to feed yourself.
If you rent all your life, and you hit retirement. What happens if your pension doesn't even clear the rent, let alone able you to pay the Utility/food bills. Then what? You are homeless !
At least if you buy, and your pension isn't sufficient, then you can sell, downsize, and release some essential equity to allow you to live.
Forget all these pensions paying for a happy retirement. Apart from public service workers like Teachers etc, who are guaranteed £25-30K pensions (yet moan like F*ck at having to work a few extra years and contribute an extra £100 a month, even though most private sector workers would have to invest most of their wages to get any where near a Teachers cushy pension) then the most of us will probably struggle to enjoy a pension of between £5-10k pa. And that's if we're lucky.
22 January 2015, 09:26 PM
#20
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: I'll check my gps
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What you need to do is mortgage within a inch of your life, then rent that property out so someone else pays the mortgage (possible make a few quid on top) then rent a much smaller house while you enjoy life and buy cars etc then when you retire, kick the tenant out and sell to downsize.
This ones for TDW
This ones for TDW
22 January 2015, 10:11 PM
#21
Downside is,come retirement,mortgage paid off then you have to sell to live in an extortionately priced care home :-( when the time comes of course.....
22 January 2015, 11:42 PM
#25
23 January 2015, 12:09 AM
#26
Lol
23 January 2015, 07:25 AM
#28
Scooby Regular
But, if you rent all your life, what do you get at the end of it? Nothing.
Most rents are the equivalent of a Mortgage anyway.
If you pay a Mortgage for 25 years you have a secure roof over your head come retirement. Hopefully enough to allow you to pay the bills and make sure you are able to feed yourself.
If you rent all your life, and you hit retirement. What happens if your pension doesn't even clear the rent, let alone able you to pay the Utility/food bills. Then what? You are homeless !
At least if you buy, and your pension isn't sufficient, then you can sell, downsize, and release some essential equity to allow you to live.
Forget all these pensions paying for a happy retirement. Apart from public service workers like Teachers etc, who are guaranteed £25-30K pensions (yet moan like F*ck at having to work a few extra years and contribute an extra £100 a month, even though most private sector workers would have to invest most of their wages to get any where near a Teachers cushy pension) then the most of us will probably struggle to enjoy a pension of between £5-10k pa. And that's if we're lucky.
Most rents are the equivalent of a Mortgage anyway.
If you pay a Mortgage for 25 years you have a secure roof over your head come retirement. Hopefully enough to allow you to pay the bills and make sure you are able to feed yourself.
If you rent all your life, and you hit retirement. What happens if your pension doesn't even clear the rent, let alone able you to pay the Utility/food bills. Then what? You are homeless !
At least if you buy, and your pension isn't sufficient, then you can sell, downsize, and release some essential equity to allow you to live.
Forget all these pensions paying for a happy retirement. Apart from public service workers like Teachers etc, who are guaranteed £25-30K pensions (yet moan like F*ck at having to work a few extra years and contribute an extra £100 a month, even though most private sector workers would have to invest most of their wages to get any where near a Teachers cushy pension) then the most of us will probably struggle to enjoy a pension of between £5-10k pa. And that's if we're lucky.
And as for tv pffff.Happened to see a little coronation street this week,first time in months,only because visiting parents,mother is old school coronation street,been a follower of it since the early years.
These soaps majority of storyline seems to be based on GF/BF fighting spliting up getting back to together,or married couples cheating.
23 January 2015, 08:09 AM
#29
Scooby Regular
I think the answer is that they are going to find it increasingly difficult
I suspect, just as firms/business offering a decent work based pension have declined - with none now offering the old style defined benefits)
There will be fewer and fewer businesses offering normal employment contracts - with fixed hours, holiday, sick pay - and all the benefits an old style "job".
We are moving to zero contract and the self employed model as the norm not the exception
I suspect, just as firms/business offering a decent work based pension have declined - with none now offering the old style defined benefits)
There will be fewer and fewer businesses offering normal employment contracts - with fixed hours, holiday, sick pay - and all the benefits an old style "job".
We are moving to zero contract and the self employed model as the norm not the exception
23 January 2015, 11:38 AM
#30
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Mars
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't get it either and it bores the living **** out of me how much people bang on about it.
Much better overseas where they care about more interesting stuff.
I heard that someone in London (via radio) with £100k salary can't afford a house anywhere near where she needs to be - it's bloody insane. But it makes people feel rich (when they are often right on the edge of going bust), allows them to boast about how clever they are and keeps the trades in business.
In our situation, the banks can naff right off - we're doing things our own way and should hopefully buy a house soonish outright (the wheels are in motion). Will I bang on and on about it? No, I'll live in it and be pleased we "beat" the broken system we are suffocated by.
Meanwhile we rent a nice place by the sea and laugh at the second home w4nkers that pretend they own the place. For two weeks a year.
Much better overseas where they care about more interesting stuff.
I heard that someone in London (via radio) with £100k salary can't afford a house anywhere near where she needs to be - it's bloody insane. But it makes people feel rich (when they are often right on the edge of going bust), allows them to boast about how clever they are and keeps the trades in business.
In our situation, the banks can naff right off - we're doing things our own way and should hopefully buy a house soonish outright (the wheels are in motion). Will I bang on and on about it? No, I'll live in it and be pleased we "beat" the broken system we are suffocated by.
Meanwhile we rent a nice place by the sea and laugh at the second home w4nkers that pretend they own the place. For two weeks a year.