Which house is better to choose? Based on an inspection of 42 private houses

About a year and a half has passed since the idea of ​​moving to a village for permanent residence arose. During this time, my wife and I looked through hundreds of advertisements, called dozens of phones, making appointments to view objects. As a result, I inspected 42 homes for sale. I consider it an unaffordable luxury to simply bury this invaluable experience in the ground. I am sure that many of the subtleties and nuances that I am going to share here will be very useful for any person who has also decided to choose the delights of country life for themselves. Of course, my personal point of view on how to choose the right houses will be presented here. You may have completely different criteria and categories. However, I hope to show moments that you wouldn’t even think about until you come face to face with them.

How to choose a good house

When we were just starting to think about buying a country house , we imagined a luxurious mansion with an area of ​​at least 200 meters, located in a picturesque ecologically clean area, not very far from the city. Mandatory criteria were:

• large plot - at least 15 acres,
• connected gas, but no ugly yellow pipes in front of the windows - everything is underground,
• good turnkey renovation
• good asphalt road right to the gate,
• so that there is certainly a forest and some body of water nearby,
• so that the neighbors are decent, or better yet, there are none at all,
• so that there are no production facilities, hangars, pipes or power lines nearby,
• so that it’s not too far from the city,
• so that in addition to the car, you could travel to the city by bus and (or) train.

If we start listing the design features of the house itself, the site and the surrounding area, then this list could be continued indefinitely.

But life is a thing that always has its own way. She doesn't care about our plans, wishes and preferences. In the end, when we bought our house in the village, it did not at all meet most of the criteria that were considered decisive at the beginning.

Consistent review and screening of options showed that the ideal house that would satisfy ALL the requirements simply does not exist. In any case, you will have to give up some wishes, adjust your preferences to specific circumstances and cost. As a result, you will end up buying a home anyway, and it will be a reasonable compromise between what you want and what you can afford.

You and I understand that having, say, 40-50 million free rubles in your hands, you can quite claim a very good, almost ideal option. But here’s the problem: we didn’t have that amount at our disposal, so we had to sacrifice “desires” for the sake of “opportunities.”

How to choose the right house? Now I would like to show the most outstanding options that were reviewed and explain why they were rejected.

Types of houses

Buildings can be classified according to their shape, and according to this criterion, the most common options are:

• Square;
• Rectangular;
• Round.

Depending on the project, buildings may have unusual shapes.

They are divided into types and in accordance with their functional purpose, and some of them were discussed above:

• A dacha is a seasonal building for staying in during the warm season;
• Estate - a complex of buildings for residential and non-residential (economic) purposes, usually located outside the city and intended for farming;
• Townhouse is a private building that can accommodate several families. They can be one-story or two-story and have different entrances for use by each co-owner of such a structure. Townhouses are being built both outside the city and within its boundaries;
• Villa is a country house for seasonal living, characterized by its large size, luxurious appearance and design in Italian or Mediterranean style;
• A cottage is a comfortable building intended for year-round living, usually built in a suburb or town, but in recent years such structures of one or more floors can increasingly be found in cities.

Why didn't I choose a townhouse

Now they are being actively built and advertised. The builders are quite understandable. Building 4-5 semi-detached houses under one roof is much cheaper and easier than building the same number of separate buildings. And you can sell them at almost the same price, or even more. One has only to give the object a “special elite status” and skillfully turn disadvantages into advantages.

The distance to the city is approximately 10 kilometers. The road is good, four lane. Externally, they are very good, beautiful houses. There are five two-story apartments per building.

Advantages of a townhouse:

A unified architectural style, a serious integrated approach to the development of the territory, a private beach by the lake with sports grounds. A short distance from the city, connected gas, working heating system, fenced area, fairly high quality construction. High - 4-meter ceilings on the 2nd floor. It is quite possible to make some kind of attic or third residential level.

It is important to have concrete floor slabs between the 1st and 2nd floors. They do not sag, do not rot, and bark beetles do not infest them. Tiles laid on a concrete slab will not crack under stress. Many other options were rejected precisely because of the presence of wooden interfloor ceilings.

What scared me off:

Small areas at high prices. For example, a block with an area of ​​109 square meters cost 5 million, and the outer blocks with an area of ​​133 meters cost more than six million. Moreover, there were not even interior walls inside. If you add at least one and a half million for finishing, then the cost of the object turns out to be too high.

The second problem is only 2 acres of land. This is practically just a front garden. There is simply nowhere to plant even a couple of trees.

Then there’s the high population density and, hence, all the delights of life in a city apartment: neighbors smoking on the balcony, shouting behind the wall, a bunch of cars in front of the entrances, neighbors looking from the second floor balcony at how you, I beg your pardon, sit on the in your area, parsley or fry sausages on the grill.

Finally - proximity to the road. Its noise can be clearly heard if you are on the site. The problem is aggravated in wet weather, when road noise increases exponentially. Still, I want silence.

Verdict : too expensive and inconvenient, although of high quality.

No less important criteria for choosing a private house

1. Square meters

The total area of ​​the house (including non-residential rooms) can vary from 40 to 800 square meters.

To choose the optimal size of a house, you need to consider the number of people who will live there and their needs. Families with children, as a rule, require a lot of space to equip various areas (play area, study area, etc.). However, do not forget that the larger the area, the higher the heating costs.

• A young family with a small child can comfortably stay in a house with an area of ​​60–80 square meters.
• An elderly couple will most likely seek to save money, so they will choose a small house of about 50 square meters.
• For a large family, you need a large house, the area of ​​which starts from 100 square meters.

2. How many rooms do you need?

It would seem that this point is similar to the previous one, but the difference between them is quite significant. Even a huge house can be divided into only three rooms, while a modest 70-meter house will be divided into 4-5 rooms. And although they will all be quite miniature, each family member will have their own corner.

• For the young family mentioned above, it is better to choose a private house consisting of three rooms.
• Pensioners, in addition to the kitchen and bedroom, will need a living room to gather children and grandchildren around a large table.
• If there are two or more children of different sexes in a family, at least two separate rooms should be provided (that is, at least four rooms in total).
• A large family, where several generations live at the same time, must choose a private house with five or more rooms.

3. Room layout

How comfortable it will be to live there depends on how the rooms are located. It is better to think about the layout in advance so as not to waste energy, time and money on remodeling. Even plasterboard partitions are not so easy to remove, not to mention brick walls.

• The more people gather at one table at the same time, the more a kitchen is needed.
• Dog owners would benefit from a bathroom located close to the front door so they can quickly wash their paws after a walk and avoid spreading dirt everywhere.
• Those who love feasts will find it more convenient if the living room is located near the kitchen.
• If there are many people living in a house, it is unlikely that anyone will like queuing for the toilet or shower, so it is advisable to have several bathrooms.

4. Base height

Multi-storey buildings are built from start to finish by one company. A private house can be started by some craftsmen and finished by completely different ones. Therefore, it is impossible to say with certainty whether the foundation meets the requirements of a given area.

• Proximity to bodies of water creates a risk of flooding due to floods. To avoid dampness in the house, the foundation must be made at least a meter high above the ground. Taking into account the underground layer, its height sometimes reaches 2.5 meters.
• In conditions of prolonged frosts, cold rises from the ground, regardless of the quality of thermal insulation, so the height of the foundation in such regions starts from 50 cm.
• If there are no special conditions, it is enough that the foundation is about 30–40 cm high above ground level.

Detached house in a cottage village

The distance from the city is approximately 19 km. There is a good asphalt road, a regular bus runs on schedule.

The territory of the village is surrounded by a fence, there is a checkpoint with a barrier, video surveillance, night lighting, garbage removal, clearing the streets of snow... At first glance, everything is very cool. Frankly, this option was considered our main option for quite a long time precisely due to the developed infrastructure.

The house itself is very bright due to stained glass windows, spacious - 172 square meters. There is a small veranda, a carport, a heating system from a gas boiler and electrical wiring are installed, the walls are prepared for wallpaper, there is a concrete screed on the floor, suspended ceilings on top

What scared me off:

High service fees - approximately 3,000 rubles. per month. At the same time, according to local residents, there are many complaints about the management company. Problems also emerged with the quality of construction. According to village residents, the walls of houses are cracking, mold is constantly appearing, and some have roofs that are leaking. The management company is in no hurry to eliminate even warranty cases, so some residents were forced to go to court.

The total area of ​​the house includes a car parking area under a canopy. In fact, the area of ​​the house is only 130 square meters. meters. And you will have to pay tax for 172.

The soil in this area is clayey, so in order to organize beds and other plantings, you first need to bring in several truckloads of fertile soil.

Bad freezing front door. We need to change it immediately.

The most important thing: the house is one-story. On the one hand, this is not bad. On the other hand, it occupies a significant place on the site. Therefore, only seven acres remain from the declared 9 acres. This is not so much for a person who would like to organize both a vegetable garden and a recreation area here.

Expensive house with a small lot and strange floors

This object was also located in a cottage village. I immediately asked what the size of the “extortions” was. The seller hesitated, looked away and said that he didn’t know. From which I concluded that the extortions were probably considerable. In principle, nothing would be surprising. The village is considered almost elite. The result is a high cost of the house with rather modest characteristics.

The option was immediately rejected as soon as I saw how the ceilings of the 2nd floor were arranged:

When I went up to the second floor and saw the first through the cracks in the floor, I immediately became reluctant to ask further questions and consider this house as a future home. No amount of persuasion about the reliability of this design helped. Even the main trump card didn’t work—that’s how they build things all over the world. Let them build for health, but I need concrete floors, despite the fenced area and my own recreation area. Everything was crossed out by the damned floor of the second floor.

Not a house, but a real fortress

This facility was truly built conscientiously. For myself. Thick walls, excellent layout, reinforced concrete floors... The house is very bright, although the presence of many large windows always made me wonder if it would be cold there in winter.

And the place itself, in principle, did not cause any particular complaints. True, it would be possible to get there only by car. In emergency situations this would create some inconvenience. But this circumstance was compensated by a good federal highway passing “behind the forest”. In addition, the forest itself, which approached the village from all sides, promised an excellent, quiet life in nature. Mushrooms, berries, clean air, remoteness from industrial production made the object very attractive.

What scared me off:

Alas, there were no communications connected to the house. No electricity, no gas! And if the problems with electricity could somehow be solved, then the absence of a gas pipe put a thick black cross on the option. You know, it’s certainly possible to heat 180 square meters with electricity. But the “light” bill with an amount of approximately 25-30 thousand rubles per month is not what we were aiming for.

To top it all off, it was also necessary to install a sewer system, drill a well, and there was a lot of work to be done in the house itself, since there was nothing there except the walls, roof, windows and front door.

For a long time we “licked our lips” looking at this object, but, having soberly assessed our financial capabilities, we decided that we were unlikely to “bear” such expenses.

Location of the house on the site

A residential building must be located on a site in accordance with building and fire safety regulations. If you are considering ready-made housing, it is worth checking the compliance of the house located on the site with generally accepted standards. There must be at least three meters from the wall of the house to the outer boundary of the site. Pay attention to how the house you choose is oriented relative to the cardinal directions. The natural illumination of the interior space of the house will depend on this: rooms facing south will receive more light. The presence of large mature trees on the site can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Large trees planted close to the house will block light and pose a risk of damage to the house during high winds. It is important that the size of the house matches the size of the plot. A large house will look heavy and cumbersome on a small plot.

House and wall material

When purchasing a ready-made country house, take a close look at the quality of building materials. Even a relatively new building, built using low-quality materials, will not last long. In addition, the choice of material will affect the comfortable conditions and microclimate of the home space. The house can be built from a variety of materials; the choice will depend on your own preferences and financial capabilities. Caution should be exercised when constructing buildings that combine several types of materials. In such cases, low-quality material may be hidden under high-quality external finishing. Errors in house construction technology can cause cracks in the walls. A wooden house made of rounded logs will sooner or later warp if the probability of shrinkage was incorrectly taken into account during construction. Carefully inspect the walls of the building, check their integrity. Unscrupulous sellers may paint over cracks in walls before selling, so take a closer look at areas covered with fresh paint or plaster. The thickness of the walls is also an important indicator. It determines how warm the house will be in winter. Optimal wall thicknesses may vary for different types of building materials. It is necessary to check the presence of wall insulation. Not all houses require insulation - for example, houses made of laminated veneer lumber are warm on their own. But in most cases, insulation will be required. It can also serve as a sound insulator, helping to absorb unnecessary sounds from the street.

Foundation

A high-quality foundation in a house is the key to the durability and reliability of the building. To correctly assess the condition of the foundation of a finished house, it is better to invite specialists. The type of foundation must match the building: the choice of foundation is influenced by the type of building materials, the number of storeys of the building and the type of soil on the site. If the foundation is chosen incorrectly, the building will begin to collapse ahead of time, and problems will arise with its operation. Having a basement or basement in your home can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. The basement may be prone to flooding, so be aware of dampness in the area.

Roof

The condition of the roof of a house is no less important than the quality of the foundation. The roof protects the building from precipitation and provides a comfortable microclimate, and if the roof structure is damaged, serious heat loss and leaks may occur in the house. Therefore, before buying a house, you must check the integrity of the roof and the quality of the roofing material. The shape of the roof can be any, but it is worth taking into account the climatic features of the area: in regions with snowy winters, a flat roof will create difficulties. If the house has an attic floor, be sure to visit it and check its condition. Even if the premises are non-residential and poorly equipped, the condition of the roof can be judged by the appearance of the walls and ceiling. If smudges are found on the walls, this may indicate either damage to the roof or a lack of ebb and flow drains in the roof structure.

Ceilings and floors

It is quite difficult to see the condition of the floors with the naked eye, since they are hidden under the floor finishing. However, you can evaluate unevenness or deflections, if any. The ceiling of the lower floor will tell you about the deflections of the interfloor ceilings. Or a simple experiment: place a round object on the floor and see where it rolls. How smooth the floors and walls in the house are is checked using a building level. The reason for the deviation of the walls from the vertical can also be damage or an error in the installation of the floors. The floors must have good sound insulation, otherwise the audibility between floors will be too high, which will affect the comfort of living.

Layout

Each owner has his own ideas about the ideal layout of a country house. Some people prefer space and freedom in space, others like it when there are many rooms and they are small in area. However, there are general standards from which you can build when assessing the layout of a house ready for sale. The cottage is divided into day and night zones according to the amount of time that household members spend in them. The day area has an entrance hall, living room, kitchen and dining room. The night zone is the bedrooms. As a rule, the top floor, a quieter and more secluded place, is allocated for them. It is convenient when the living room and dining room are combined into a common space. This saves space and helps create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere in the room. Bathrooms are located on each floor, and sometimes in each bedroom. This increases the level of comfort, and in the morning there will be no queues to the bathroom. It’s good when the layout of a country house includes a terrace: living outside the city, you will certainly want to spend more time outdoors, and the terrace will allow you to realize this. In the summer, you can place a dining area on it, organize tea parties and dinner parties for guests. If your home has a staircase to the top floor or attic, be sure to make sure it is safe and convenient. An improperly designed ladder can be dangerous, especially for children and the elderly. A second light system in a country house is an effective planning element that adds light and air to the space. It is worth checking, however, how practical this design is in operation, because it can blow into floor-to-ceiling windows, and it will be difficult to heat a large room in winter. The energy efficiency of a second light system depends on the design and installation technology, as well as the type of building materials.

Windows and doors

When assessing the condition of the windows in your home, pay attention to their quality and size. For normal room lighting, the window must be at least 1/8 of the floor area. With very large windows, problems may arise with heating the room in winter, but if the windows were installed correctly using high-quality materials, then heat loss will be minimal. Wooden frames look beautiful, especially in wooden houses. But metal-plastic window structures often turn out to be more practical. Pay attention to whether the glass inside the double-glazed windows fogs up. Windows and doors should be easy to close and open and should not be chipped or cracked. Entrance doors to a house, if there are several of them, should be stronger and more reliable than internal ones. It is important that they have good thermal insulation if the house is located in northern latitudes. For a house located near a road, it is better if the front door is from the yard so that less dust and noise enters the house.

Engineering communications and life support

When buying country property, pay close attention to the presence of communications in the house and their condition. The level of comfort in the home directly depends on the serviceability and reliability of these systems. Heating equipment must be of high quality and comply with fire safety standards. The gas heating system is considered the most convenient and economical to use. If the house is not connected to the gas mains, then electric or water heating systems are usually used. Inspect the condition of the heating boiler, check its power - it should be enough to heat the entire house in winter. If the house has stove heating, it is important that it is first and foremost fireproof. Find out where water comes into your home and where it goes. If the site has its own well, ask what its water limit and depth are, and whether it dries out in the summer. Check the power of the pump by opening all the taps in the house and looking at the water pressure. You can ask your neighbors about the operation of the central water supply - whether there are accidents, whether the water supply freezes in winter. Tap water can be chemically analyzed to find out how environmentally friendly it is. If an individual septic tank is used to drain wastewater, check to see if it is overfilled and ask the owners for the volume of the tank. The serviceability of the sewer system can be checked by drawing a large volume of water and then flushing it - see how quickly the water leaves. An important point in ensuring comfortable living is proper, high-quality ventilation in the house. If ventilation is installed with errors in design or is completely absent, then odors will permeate the walls, and subsequently it will be difficult to get rid of them. Make sure the electrical networks are working properly and have enough power to power the entire house. Check whether the electricity is knocked out if you turn on several lighting fixtures at once. Assess the condition of the electrical wiring and electrical panels. If possible, bring a technician to your home inspection to help assess the condition of the utilities. You should not skimp on its services so as not to spend money on repairs later. It’s good if documents and contracts with service companies for equipment and devices have been preserved - do not forget to ask the owners of the house about this.

Additional buildings

When inspecting the site, pay attention to the presence and location of outbuildings and other additional buildings. All of them must be included in the project and appear in the documents. Check whether the location of buildings meets fire safety standards. Just like in a house, in other buildings it is necessary to evaluate the presence and condition of utility networks: whether electricity, gas, water work (if they are installed or it is assumed that they should be installed). The bathhouse or sauna on the site should first be checked for fire safety. The garage must have easy access and sufficient ceiling height. Think in advance about how many cars you have in your family and where you will place them. If there are gates at the entrance to the territory, you must check their serviceability. Inspection of the pool on site deserves special attention. Indoor or outdoor, a swimming pool requires constant maintenance and technical inspection. An improperly designed and installed pool will be a real headache for its owners. Therefore, sometimes it is better to take a plot without a pool and, if desired, build it from scratch. If the house and grounds are large in size, most likely you will need maintenance personnel to care for the housing. Separate premises or buildings should also be provided for personnel. If you wish, having purchased a country property, you can make your changes and erect the buildings you want on the site. But for this, there must be enough space on the purchased territory and all the necessary conditions for construction must be provided.

Safety

The safety of your home and surrounding area is not only about fire safety. Remote areas should be equipped with a security alarm, video surveillance system, or at least fenced. It’s good if the village provides this function and there is video surveillance or fencing of the village itself. Take care of the possibility of providing assistance in emergency cases: how to quickly call the necessary service, will it be able to drive up to the house, will you be able to quickly leave and get to the desired point? Get to know your neighbors so that when you move into your home, you won't be surprised by the people next door. In addition, by talking with your neighbors, you can find out how calm the situation is in the area.

Expenses

Before buying a private house, you should figure out in advance what expenses you will have to face while living in a country house. It will cost more money to maintain a house than to live in an apartment, and you need to be prepared for this. The total monthly amount will depend on the scale of the building, the number of family members, the type of heating system, the source of the water supply, the presence or absence of additional buildings, a swimming pool, a sauna, and so on. When living in a house outside the city, expect that you will have to spend money not only on utility bills, but also on village fees, calling repair specialists, property taxes, landscaping of the site and some unforeseen expenses.

Checking legal purity

If you have completely checked the condition of the house and surrounding area, you are satisfied with the location of the site and the scale of the building, it’s time to move on to examining the legal side of the issue. The list of documents required for verification may vary depending on the type of building and the characteristics of the territory. But there are also basic documents that you will need to carefully read before purchasing a private home. A building permit is issued when purchasing a plot on which to build a house. It is not reissued and is issued to the next copyright holder. Title documents must be present. This can be either a purchase and sale agreement or a certificate of inheritance. The options may be different, but the owner must have proof of ownership of the property. Check the availability of an extract from the Unified State Register of Real Estate indicating all buildings on the site, as well as a cadastral passport of the building and site and a technical passport of the house with a floor plan. Study the extract from the house register, the agreement for connection to communications, and the certificate of absence of payment debts. This is not a complete list of documents, so if you purchase country real estate, it is recommended to contact a lawyer who can competently assess the situation and request the necessary documentation.

What problems may the buyer encounter?

One of the common mistakes when buying a home is an incorrectly executed transaction. Therefore, it is so important to prepare legally for the stage of buying and selling a house and carefully check the availability of the necessary documents. For some reason, the owners of the house may not have rights to the land, the building may not be officially registered, or the sale may even turn out to be fraudulent using forged documents. In order not to get into a difficult situation and not to be deceived, it is better to come to the transaction with your lawyer, whom you can trust with the intricacies of the operation. As for assessing the location and condition of the house itself, there may also be pitfalls hidden here. If you did not pay enough attention to inspecting the location when buying a house, a multi-storey microdistrict may soon grow next to your site, or a highway will be built nearby.

Therefore, it is important to study the area yourself and ask questions not only to the seller of the house, but also to the neighbors and the village administration. If you are not completely confident in your own construction experience, it is better to order a technical examination to inspect the house. When a home has undergone cosmetic renovations, at first glance it can be difficult to determine the condition and quality of the structure. Specialists will be able to conduct a thorough inspection of the entire building and provide you with a detailed report identifying all the “weak” points in the building. Do not forget to check before concluding a transaction whether interior equipment is included in the purchase price. Sometimes the buyer expects that the furniture and equipment will remain in the house, but after signing the contract, the seller takes everything with him. To prevent such a situation from happening, find out this moment “on the shore”.

Difficulties in choosing a private home may arise if the whole family goes to viewings. It is better to interview family members in advance and make a list of what each member of the household wants to see in their future home. And go to viewings with two or three. It is worth remembering that once you move into the house, you can always make changes to your taste. Therefore, before choosing a country house, mentally estimate how much such a remodel will cost you, and if this house meets all other parameters, then perhaps it will be your ideal option.

Canadian technology or cardboard house?

When examining this house, I experienced conflicting feelings. I liked the size: 200 square meters, the interior was made of wood - there was just an amazing aroma of resin in the house. The house was rented out “turnkey”, that is, after receiving the keys it was possible to bring in the furniture on the same day and celebrate the housewarming. Gas, electricity, well, sewerage, heating - everything was in working order.

True, the plot of land near the house was not as large as we would like - only 5 acres. But the location of the object was more than suitable. Just 7 kilometers from the city, next to the highway, near the railway station. The village where the object was located is considered a very “cool” place. It borders on a huge forest. Land there costs from 160 rubles per hundred square meters.

It was all very cool. And the price seemed quite right. There was only one thing that bothered me. The house was made “using Canadian technology.” Have you heard the term “sandwich panels”? It was from them that the “dream house” was built.

The owner of the house - who is also its builder - spoke very convincingly. I wanted to believe him and, as they say, “slap his hands.” However... may all adherents of Canadian house building technology , I was not ready to exchange my “stone” apartment for a “cardboard” house, even though it was so big and good.

I was also a little scared by the condition of the access road to the house itself: a dirt road. In the spring, when I went to see it, it turned into a real mess.

A little later, something happened that finally convinced me not to get involved with such houses. I just saw them being built. Thin metal piles, a wooden frame that swayed slightly in the wind... No. Thank you, but I won’t live in this.

It is clear that any construction technology has the right to life, but let it have it separately from me. However, I prefer more reliable and durable materials, because from childhood I remember the fairy tale about the three little pigs :).

What will your house be on?

This is not about the foundation, but about the quality of the soil. I found this viewing trip very useful, although I did not accept the developer’s offer. In general, I would like to buy an almost finished house, so as not to create conflict with construction for six months. But in this particular case, I just went to look at a piece of land. The reason is simple. It was located in a very prestigious location, on the banks of a river, and on the border of a vast green area just 10 minutes drive from the city.

I thought that if I liked the place, I could live in a rented apartment, but get a new house according to my own design where I wanted.

Alas, the very first glance at the site immediately dotted all the i’s. See for yourself:

Unless you are a hereditary potter, then clay soil should alert you. Water that gets on it does not seep through, but stands in large puddles on the surface. Walking on such land is a pleasure. You feel like a cow on ice. When I hinted this to the seller, he quite calmly, as if it was necessary, said: “So what, bring a few cars with sand, pour a layer and build on it.”

And then he showed me the area where this ingenious plan had already begun to be implemented:

No matter how prestigious and convenient the place was, the seller had to answer with a polite refusal, which he had probably heard more than once.

Is it worth buying a used house?

Among the advertisements, quite often there were offers for the sale of houses in which they had already lived for some time. On the one hand, this seems to be not bad. People live, that means communications are working, the site is well-groomed, and some repairs have been made. You can move in right away and then gradually redo what you don’t like at all.

With these thoughts, I went to see a house 17 kilometers from the city.

What I liked:

Large plot - 15 acres, garage, gas, electricity, large area - 170 sq.m. An attached terrace, second light, quite tolerable renovation... Everything was very good. An additional charm to the site is given by the fact that there are and will not be any neighbors on three sides. A wealthy citizen lives with the fourth, who has a very large plot and a house standing “at the other” end of it. That is, in essence, problems with noisy neighbors disappeared by themselves.

What scared me off:

There was only one thing that absolutely killed me: the driveway.

Of course, there is a normal road leading to the village, but then we had to drive 1170 meters over monstrous potholes. It’s probably great to drive a UAZ there, but for an ordinary car such a road would simply kill the suspension.

Of course, the owner said that it should be paved soon, but I stopped taking people’s word for quite a long time. Therefore, not without regret, I abandoned this option.

Among other things, I would like to note the following. Of course, anything can happen in life. But when people built a house last year and sell it after the first winter... there might be something wrong. Alas, sometimes the reason is revealed only after the transaction has been completed, when there is either no way back at all, or it is easier to rebuild and redo something than to start a lawsuit.

The house should look solid and serious. Is not it so?

Perhaps for some this will not be a decisive factor. I believe that a house-dwelling-family estate should look respectable. It is for this reason that I sometimes reject faceless boxes, of which there are a great many now set up and which are sold at some strange, more than low prices.

During one of the viewings, I looked at two houses from the developer at once. One would be very good, but expensive. As they say, “not about my honor.” But about the second I would like to say a few words. First, I present the product face to face:

You know, I also like to joke, but to have such a mansion as your main home is a no-brainer. As a dacha, it would be very good. Moreover, in addition to it, 10 acres of land were given. The house itself had an area of ​​110 meters and the entire set cost 4.5 million rubles. This is without gas, without any wiring inside the house.

To the reasonable question “why is it so expensive?” the following answer was received: “The land here is very expensive, and besides, the cladding of the house is made of very expensive material...” I did not remember the name.

When I imagined inviting my friends to a housewarming party, I realized that I would never admit to them that I sold my more than good apartment and bought this hut on chicken legs. Still, appearance matters. At least for me.

New cottage community or old village

This question flows smoothly from the previous version. Where is the best place to buy a house? Should I pay attention to new buildings or look for a modern cottage built in an old village?

Let's imagine that you are buying a house in an open field. Other plots, although marked out, are not all sold yet, many have been purchased and abandoned, some have already been built or are currently under construction:

Here's what the view can look like from the windows of your new home. Of course, early spring is not the best time to shoot promotional materials. However, look at this: you will see this every spring. Large free areas around look like a huge plus. To the nearest neighbors - like to the Moon. Silence, peace...

What pitfalls await you?

Firstly, such villages are usually built in a bare field. Not a single tree around. This means that the wind will be your constant companion. If, God forbid, there are farmlands nearby, then during arable land all the houses are covered with a layer of dust. In addition, the field is also sprayed with chemicals. Is this right for you?

Secondly, the new village is a new prefabricated community. Many cannot live in peace. They need to “affirm themselves.” Some do this by building luxurious palaces, others by boorish behavior. Residents of one of the villages said that they could not live from one neighbor. He constantly blasts the music at full blast; almost every day he has noisy gatherings that end in the morning. No amount of persuasion or other measures of influence help.

Thirdly, if you live in a village, please pay for all the benefits of civilization. Street cleaning, lighting, garbage removal, security, patrolling, etc. In other places, a considerable amount accumulates. You can’t help but think that you had to pay less in a city apartment.

In contrast to new developments - a modern, newly built house in an old village. It has its own “charms”.

On the one hand, it seems to be quiet and calm. The neighbors have lived here for a long time, everyone knows each other. It’s easier to fit into such a “commune” than to live in a hodgepodge of a new village. It is enough just to behave like a human being, not to be rude to your neighbors, to meet their small requests that do not greatly infringe on your convenience.

On the other hand, is this view from the window suitable for you?

Your house will be surrounded by old, dilapidated buildings that are unlikely to please the eye. Moreover, one of your neighbors can easily keep a cow, another can keep chickens and geese, a third can keep pigs, and a fourth can set up a car repair shop on his property.

Do all these scents suit you? Then the village is your home :).

Of course, it doesn’t happen just once. There are exceptions to the typical options described above. Moreover, both pleasant and not so pleasant. All this is strictly individual and requires careful study and thought. And, preferably, before purchasing

Home selection options

In addition to the listed criteria, there are others that you need to pay attention to in order not to make a mistake with your choice.

Number of floors

The most common options:

• One-story buildings. Such buildings contain a small number of rooms occupying a small area. As a rule, their layout is simple and easy to use, which is especially appreciated by older owners. The area of ​​buildings is usually up to 400 m2. If it is larger, it is advisable to provide a larger number of floors;
• Two-story buildings. This is an excellent option for constructing a building with a large area, saving land area. As a rule, on the ground floor there is a living room, kitchen, utility or utility rooms, and on the second floor there are living rooms. Such buildings may additionally have a ground floor, where additional functional premises can also be located - recreation rooms, a cellar, a gym, etc. The optimal area of ​​two-story buildings is up to 800 m2;
• Three-story and higher. The area of ​​such buildings can be up to 15,000 m2. They are difficult and expensive to maintain and maintain, so wealthy people can usually afford them. Another option is that several families can live in them, but this is a rarer case.

Wall material

This is one of the most important nuances in the question of how to choose the right house. We found out above that most often they are built from the following materials:

• Brick;
• Foam block;
• Aerated concrete;
• SIP panels;
• Beam;
• Log house;
• Frame structures.

Which of these options should you choose? No one can answer this question unequivocally. The most common choices are brick and wood structures. The former win with their strength, reliability, and safety. The latter are valued for their comfort, coziness, and environmental friendliness. But both options also have their drawbacks, including high cost. If you decide to choose a wooden house, you must be confident in the high quality of the material, on which its reliability and longevity depend. Today, Finnish-made laminated veneer lumber is considered the best option.

If your budget does not allow you to purchase such buildings, you can pay attention to the others - made of foam blocks, aerated concrete, SIP panels. Most of them are inexpensive and have quite decent operating conditions. The duration of the latter may be shorter, but it will be at least 25-30 years, and in many cases up to 50 years or more, and this is a lot.

House area

On sale you can find both a beautiful and cozy small house and real royal mansions. It all depends on whether you are ready to maintain housing, the area of ​​which is much larger than what is needed for a comfortable life. An important role is played by the number and age of residents.

If we proceed from practicality, convenience, and meeting the needs of everyone living in it, then the numbers will be approximately as follows

• The optimal building area for an elderly couple to live in is about 50 m2;
• On average, the building area for a family of 3-4 people can be approximately 60-80 m2;
• If the family consists of more than 3-4 people, it is advisable that it be at least 100 m2.

However, this question is individual, and no one will forbid you, if you want, to buy a three-story mansion with an area of ​​800 m2 or more for 3-4 people to live in, if you think that you can service it and take care of it.

Number of rooms

Regardless of the dimensions of the housing, it can, if desired, accommodate the required number of rooms to ensure the comfort of all its residents. And vice versa - being huge, it can literally consist of several living spaces. In this matter, it is important to choose the right house plan, and it is recommended to build on the following indicators:

• For an elderly couple, it will be enough if the building has a bedroom, kitchen, and living room. If children and grandchildren often visit them, it is worth taking care of having 1-2 more rooms;
• A family with a child will comfortably live in a house consisting of two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen;
• If, in addition to parents, children of different sexes are planned to live in it, the latter must have at least 2 bedrooms;
• For comfortable simultaneous residence of representatives of several generations, at least 5 rooms will be required.

Foundation height

The strength and reliability of the structure largely depends on this parameter. Its value is determined in accordance with the following factors:

• If the building is located near a reservoir, there is a risk of flooding and increased dampness in the premises. A foundation height of at least 1 m above ground level will help prevent such problems. Its recommended underground height is 1-1.5 m. Thus, the height of the base can reach 2.5 m;
• If the building is located in an area with prolonged frosts, it is necessary to prevent the risk of significant cooling of the housing. To do this, it is necessary not only to provide good thermal insulation, an effective heating system, but also a foundation with a height of at least 50 cm;
• In the absence of special climatic, geographical, geodetic conditions, the base can have a height of about 30-40 cm.

Water source

Any building needs water supply, regardless of whether you are buying a house for a summer residence or intend to live in it permanently or periodically. But the source of water depends on this criterion:

• If it is needed only to meet household needs - cooking, washing, cleaning, bathing - connecting to a centralized water supply will be quite sufficient;
• If you are faced with the task of choosing a house for a summer house where you will fully engage in gardening and gardening, you will need a large amount of water. To do this, you need your own source, and the best option would be to have one directly on your site or as close to it as possible.

Heating type

If you want to adhere to traditions, you can use a stove, but for this, both the structure itself and the heating equipment must be of high quality. Of course, fire safety rules must be strictly observed.

A gas heating system is often chosen as one of the most economical, but not all suburban settlements have a gas main.

No less convenient, practical, and safe options are electric and water heating systems.

It is less common to find solid fuel equipment in private buildings, since it is not so convenient to use, although it is cheaper to maintain.

Roof material

It determines how reliable, wear-resistant and durable the roof is.

The most popular options:

• Slate. It is inexpensive, but it is not characterized by a long service life. The latter averages 10 years;
• Ondulin. This type of material is characterized by its tightness, lightness, it does not dry out for a long time, without being fragile. With proper operation, which consists in excluding mechanical damage from metal structures and heavy loads, a roof made from it will last about 50 years;
• Metal tiles. This is the most reliable material that can last up to 100 years. Its cost is high, as is its strength, reliability, and wear resistance.

Land size

It depends on additional needs:

• When assessing what size lot you will need, consider the availability and number of cars in the family that require parking spaces. For one car you will need about 10 m2, for two or more – from 15 m2.
• If you want to engage in gardening and gardening, you will need a plot of 3-4 acres. This is enough to provide your family with fruits and vegetables;
• Speaking about which house to choose for a summer house where you plan to grow fruits and vegetables for sale, what will be important is not so much the building itself, but primarily the area of ​​the plot. It will have to be at least 6 acres.

Availability of a terrace

Do not deny yourself the pleasure of enjoying a cup of coffee, communicating with loved ones, or spending time with your children on the veranda. It may be small, but cozy.

In addition, in winter, the terrace can provide additional protection against the entry of cold into the room.

Type of waste disposal

For many years, the standard and inexpensive solution was to organize a cesspool on the site. But due to unsafety and inconvenience of use, many are now refusing it. Moreover, today there are many other – modern and convenient options:

• Mechanical septic tank. It is a sealed container with one or more chambers in which wastewater is collected. The latter are settled and purified in them through anaerobic digestion;
• Storage capacity. Sewage is sent into it, and it needs to be cleaned quite often - about once/month. For this reason, such structures are more often used for temporary structures;
• Biological treatment system. This is one of the best options today, which is why it is used for cottages and private houses for permanent residence. The principle of operation of the system is similar to the principle of operation of a mechanical septic tank with the advantage that the first involves the use of an aeration tank and a biofilter. Purified water moves into reservoirs, and the middle layer is immediately connected with sludge through an aeration tank. Such a system is expensive, but its price is compensated by its long service life, high efficiency and affordable maintenance costs.

Convenience and quality of entry

Door placement is an important factor, so pay attention to it. If the building is located in a quiet, uncrowded place with a small amount of traffic passing by, it can be located on the side of the facade. Otherwise, it is better if the door is placed on the courtyard side, which will protect against dust, exhaust gases, and noise coming from the street.

In modern buildings it is increasingly rare to find a porch, although if older people live in it, it would be appropriate. In addition, it can serve as additional protection from the cold in winter.

As for the quality of the door, in the southern regions you can use a steel structure 1.2-1.3 mm thick, insulated with foam plastic and decorated with laminate on the inside. If you are buying a home in cold regions, the minimum door thickness should be 1.5 mm. It is recommended to use mineral wool for insulation. Its interior finishing can be done using MDF.

Window quality and size

The first parameter is important for ensuring warmth, comfort, and aesthetics, and the second is important for obtaining a normal level of lighting in the rooms.

What needs to be taken into account and how to choose a private house taking into account these criteria?

• The optimal window size is 1/8 of the floor area of ​​the room. It can be larger if you want it to be illuminated better. But keep in mind that in the cold season their heat transfer will increase. In this regard, they should not be more than 2/3 taken from the floor area of ​​the room;
• Wooden frames are beautiful and will fit well into the design of a building made from a similar material. But metal-plastic windows are more practical because they retain heat in the room better.

Remoteness of the house

Many people want to live in private housing in order to “enjoy” communication with their neighbors as little as possible, which is not always pleasant. But, in addition to this, there are rules requiring compliance with a certain minimum distance between houses. Standard – a distance of 3 m from the wall of the building to the fence of the site. If all neighboring buildings are built in compliance with this requirement, then nearby structures will be at least 6 m apart from each other.

In some cases, this figure can be 10-20 m or more. This depends on the presence of various buildings, vegetable gardens, and orchards on the territory.

Availability of utility rooms

If you do not plan to farm or engage in any crafts, then there is no need for them. You need them if you want to breed animals, grow vegetables and fruits, and store the tools needed for this or other activities.

The distance from the city is only good for pensioners

As I was choosing my dream home, I discovered a nasty pattern. The further an object is located from the regional center, the more interesting and cheaper it is.

One of the houses we looked at fully corresponded to our ideas about a dream house. Large - under 200 meters, on a plot of 17 acres, completely ready for living, with paths, a bathhouse and a garage. You can drive straight to the house on asphalt. The windows offer excellent views of the meadows and forest. Not far away there is a lake and a forest river.

The house itself is located a little on the outskirts, so the neighbors should not create problems with their presence.

Only one thing is bad. The city is 38 kilometers away. And only by car. There is no other regular transport.

It's good if you don't have to go to work every day. Know - enjoy the peaceful landscape, pick mushrooms, potter in the garden... What if you go to and from work every day. And even if the car is gluttonous?

We calculated the costs only for gasoline and regretfully rejected the option. One and a half thousand kilometers a month is almost 5,000 rubles for gasoline, not counting preventive maintenance and other expenses. A little expensive!

Old renovated houses

On our way we also met two old houses, which, through renovation, acquired a completely civilized appearance. Such houses have some special features. How critical they are is up to you to decide.

Consider a house 45 kilometers from the city. We decided to pay attention to it because it is located near the railway station. High-speed trains have smoothed out a considerable distance a little.

The house itself looks quite decent from the outside. Quite large in area, on a land plot of 16 acres, with a good location relative to natural and infrastructure facilities, it has become a candidate for “dream houses”.

However, appearances turned out to be deceiving. Firstly, all living rooms were on the first floor. The layout was such that it seemed that the house had been dismantled and reassembled many times, using materials from the old walls. The second floor turned out to be completely awkward. One room was not heated, the floor in another was sagging, the huge, stupid corridor was clearly improvised as a result of the builders’ lack of a clear idea of ​​what would happen on the second floor.

To top it all off, old houses sometimes have a smell that cannot be removed by anything.

What would you say if you were offered to buy a house like this?

From the outside the house looked quite respectable. However, as soon as you looked inside, you wanted to immediately run away from there, the further the better. The main feature was that it was quite possible to live inside the old house. There was a kitchen, two rooms... Is this option right for you? Would you agree to gradually dismantle the old log house and remove the rotten logs through the doors or windows?

And in old houses there are old foundations, which over time can underlie a huge pig. Moreover, when, let’s say, there is no time for pigs at all:

Of course, everyone has the right to choose the appropriate option for themselves. I did not get involved with rebuilt old houses and I advise you in a friendly manner to do the same. Remember, external beauty and grooming can have a downside that will terrify you.

Choosing the type of country house

Aesthetics, reliability, service life - all these components are important in the question of how to choose a good home. All these factors depend on what materials it is built from, and in accordance with this, the following types of buildings are distinguished:

• Brick. Despite the appearance of more and more new materials on the market, brick remains the most reliable and wear-resistant, which is why it is often chosen for the construction of private buildings. Thanks to it, the latter acquire strength, fire resistance, durability, and excellent sound insulation. In addition, using this material, any building design can be implemented, and there is no need for exterior finishing. The price of such a building will be quite high compared to other options, but it will be compensated by the fact that your children and grandchildren will live in it. But this option also has its drawbacks - construction is very slow, there is a need to lay an expensive foundation that can withstand heavy walls;
• From foam block. Buildings made from this material are easy and quick to erect, and they themselves are lightweight. The main advantages of structures made from it are low cost, good noise and heat insulation, and low weight. The disadvantages of such buildings are low strength, the need for external finishing, the risk that they are built from low-quality material, which reduces their service life;
• Made from aerated concrete. Such blocks are characterized by a high level of moisture absorption, so it is necessary to ensure sufficient ventilation. Buildings made from them are relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and can have various shapes and designs. They are warmer and more durable than foam blocks. The disadvantages include the likelihood of cracks appearing during shrinkage;
• Frame. When looking for the best home to choose, this type is worth considering. Buildings of this type are erected quickly and are inexpensive. They are characterized by a high level of heat conservation, low weight, the ability to use different types of finishing inside and outside, lack of shrinkage, good seismic resistance and low vulnerability to climatic conditions. Their disadvantages are susceptibility to damage by rodents, fire hazard, and the need to ensure sufficient ventilation;
• From SIP panels. A distinctive feature of such buildings is the thermos effect, thanks to which they retain heat well. In addition, they do not shrink, are light in weight, have a high level of strength, earthquake resistance, resistance to rotting and are competitively priced. The disadvantages of the material are the low degree of sound insulation and the need for forced ventilation;
• Log house These are environmentally friendly buildings in which their residents feel cozy and comfortable. They are quite durable, but only if high-quality materials were used for construction. The disadvantages of this material are faced primarily by those who decide to build a house from a log house, because this process can be associated with long periods of time, problems with wiring communications, and the need to use heavy equipment. If you decide to buy one ready-made, the disadvantage will be its high price and shrinkage;
• From timber. A cozy wooden house is always attractive because it literally “breathes”, it exudes comfort, and it is environmentally friendly. Its disadvantages are its considerable cost, long-term shrinkage, the need for caulking, the risk of cracks and deformation of the walls during operation.

There is no definite answer as to what type of buildings is the ideal option - they all have their own strengths and weaknesses, after assessing which you will make your choice.

Houses with a summer second floor

This is a separate class of buildings. Sometimes during construction, a “box” of the first floor is built from bricks or foam blocks, and the second floor consists of roof slopes on both sides, and simply boards are used in the front and back, sheathed on the outside with siding.

Of course, there may be radiators there, and the seller will assure that in winter it is warm here, like in a bathhouse. I looked at several such houses. Among them were those built in the spring of this year. Against this background, it was simply funny to listen to the agent’s babbling lies about winter comfort in rooms separated from the street by a wall as thick as an arm.

Site slope

This object was good from all sides. However, there were two things that canceled out all the advantages. The first is wooden floors between the first and second floors. When someone walked on the second floor, on the first floor there was a feeling that the plaster was about to start crumbling. But it should be possible not only to walk on the floor, but also to jump. For example, suddenly you jump off a stool. Or, God forbid, you will fall, tripping over the slippers placed in the middle of the room.

For example, when I entered the spacious bathroom and took a few steps on the tiles, it felt like I was walking on thin ice that was cracking and bending under the weight. Not the most pleasant feeling.

But that was not all. The site on which the house stood was located on a hill and had a pronounced slope. Moreover, it’s not that small.

What does it mean? In the spring, all the water that is located higher up the slope in the form of snow will flow through your site. The same thing will happen in the summer after a heavy rain. I would also see what happens when you put a pool on the property :).

Of course, if you have money and a good landscape design specialist, this slope can be turned into an advantage, terraces and stairs can be made. But this is good when the area is large. On five hundred square meters, I'm afraid all this will look like a mouse fuss.

How to choose a house without construction experience

Location

Comfortable living in a private country house largely depends on where the house is located. Here are several criteria that are important to pay attention to when choosing the location of your home. Which direction from the city will you have to take to get home from work? Even if you prefer the northern direction, and you work in the southern direction, it is better to consider options with more convenient accessibility, otherwise you will spend a lot of time on the road. In large cities such as Moscow, the distance of the site from the Moscow Ring Road is taken into account. This distance can significantly affect the purchase price, but the closer the plot is located to the Moscow Ring Road, the faster and easier it will be to get to the city. In any case, it is worth calculating in advance how much time it will take to travel: from home to work, from home to school or kindergarten, if there are children in the family. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the congestion of the highway on different days and at different times. If we are talking about permanent residence in a country house, it is important to ensure that the roads are accessible at all times of the year. A primer that erodes in the off-season can become a serious problem for comfortable life outside the city. Especially in emergency situations, you should always be able to freely leave your country house. Even if you travel by personal car, it is worth considering the availability of public transport. Stops or railway stations in convenient proximity to your suburban area will become a backup method of transport communication with the city if necessary. An important factor when choosing private country housing is the environmental friendliness of the location and distance from noisy roads. This is precisely why people most often move outside the city: to breathe fresh air, enjoy walks in nature and not hear the noise of cars. Therefore, distance from noisy and dusty roads will be an advantage when buying a house. The proximity of the railway can also become a source of noise - this should be taken into account when choosing a site near the station. Of course, it is more pleasant to purchase real estate near forests, rivers or reservoirs. But in such places there are often traces of human activity: roads are being laid, hotel complexes and industrial facilities are being built. Find out who your future neighbors are. By talking with residents who already know the area and have lived here for years, you can learn more about the pros and cons of the location. Don’t forget about the geodetic aspect: how safe is the place for permanent residence in a private house, are there any geodetic displacements or cliffs near the site. Only specialists from the relevant services will tell you about this, but in some cases you should not neglect their services.

Infrastructure

The presence of developed infrastructure in accessible proximity to your private home is a factor that should not be overlooked. Before choosing a house, find out how far from the site there are shops, pharmacies and hospitals. You can ask in advance what development plans the local administration has and what will be built in the near future. If you are looking for a property for the purpose of permanent residence with your family, it is worth checking the availability of schools and kindergartens that can be easily reached from home. When moving outside the city, you need to take into account that in few suburban settlements the infrastructure provides for the presence of sports, recreational and entertainment complexes.

Land plot

If you are quite satisfied with the location of the property you are purchasing, you can proceed to inspecting and evaluating the site itself. The size of the plot plays a big role. It is worth defining your own goals and perspectives in advance. If you do not plan to plant a garden or do landscaping, then you will not need a large plot of land. 6-8 acres of land is a completely acceptable size for building a private house and arranging a personal garden. But a lot will depend on your plans and preferences: if you are thinking about building a bathhouse, a swimming pool and a summer kitchen, then you will need a larger plot. Pay attention to the terrain features in the area. A site with a slope provides ample scope for landscape design, but can cause difficulties in the construction and further operation of the building. The shape of land plots also varies. It is easier to design the construction of buildings and landscaping on plots of square or close to square shape. Elongated and curved areas are not as convenient to use. The choice of foundation type and determination of opportunities for construction and planting will depend on the quality of the soil and the level of groundwater. To do this, specialists conduct soil analysis. High groundwater levels can subsequently cause dampness in the area and the formation of flooded areas in the off-season. In such areas, the installation of a drainage system is provided, and if the site is already equipped with drainage, then this will be its undeniable advantage. The advantage of the site will be the presence of vegetation and well-groomed territory. Most trees grow very slowly, so sites that have mature trees are often in demand.

Second floor - open plan

In a telephone conversation, the agent began to sound like a nightingale, convincing him that this was very cool. “You can do whatever you want there, decorate it the way you like.” On the one hand, yes, this is really great. On the other hand, look at what the “open layout” of the second floor looked like:

Yes, the area there is simply huge - 100 meters. You can make a small stadium or tennis court. But if you choose this option, it will take a lot of time, effort and money to get everything in proper shape. You can probably see for yourself: you need to insulate the walls, otherwise you’ll end up with a summer floor. We need to lay the floors. Now you can only walk on logs, and if you stumble, you risk falling through the suspended ceiling to the first floor. It would be interesting to see

Not to mention the need to install a serious heating system, but before that it would be a good idea to find out whether the boiler can withstand such a load, or whether you will have to buy a new, more powerful one.

Installation of electrical, plumbing... In a word, you will have to “build another house” on the second floor. If you have the strength, means and time - good. If not, the second floor risks remaining forever a cold, useless attic.

House made of timber, lined with brick

In general, we did not seriously consider wooden houses. It is clear that this is environmentally friendly, but we were somehow not ready to live constantly in fear of fire. Of course, this opinion does not claim to be the ultimate truth. Nowadays, construction technologies have gone far ahead, so any specialist involved in log buildings will certainly make convincing arguments in their favor. And another specialist will protect houses made of timber.

But we would still like to buy something more made of stone, reliable and durable. Moreover, in Internet forums they constantly tell horror stories about all sorts of parasites infesting log houses and beams, mice running around, etc.

Of course, all this can be avoided if the wood is properly treated with special compounds. However... who will process it during construction for sale. So, you shouldn’t even try to try on rose-colored glasses and, especially, believe the stories of sellers and agents.

The most outstanding option that came my way was a house made of timber, lined with sand-lime brick. The agent had to get me out for viewing at any cost. So she told me over the phone that the house was completely brick.

Already upon arrival at the site, I realized that I had been cynically deceived. The agent herself did not dare to appear, and the owner began to praise this construction in every possible way, listing its advantages over a real brick house. Of course, I then called the agent and told her everything I thought about her. But priceless time was wasted.

Choosing a house wisely

Choosing a country property is not only a choice of a specific house, but also a choice between different formats of such real estate. This could be a house built on a plot for individual housing construction (IHC), in a garden non-profit partnership (SNT) or in a dacha non-profit partnership (DNP). The last option should probably be immediately excluded - it is more intended for a very “easy” country holiday, and even connecting communications to the house will be difficult.

Most often, when choosing a house with a plot, there are more expensive options with individual housing construction and cheaper ones with SNT.

Individual housing construction

- this is the type of permitted use of the site, which is suitable for capital construction. In this case, the site for individual housing construction must necessarily be located within the boundaries of a populated area, SNT or DNP. Individual housing construction has quite a lot of advantages - in a house built on such a plot, you can register your place of residence (registration), the bank will accept such a plot as collateral for a mortgage, it is much easier to connect all the necessary communications to it, and the city administration will build the road. There is only one minus - the price.

Garden non-profit partnership

is a union of several plots intended for agricultural activities. There may be a house on such a plot, but this is not necessary. At the same time, on the territory of SNT you can run a personal household (garden, vegetable garden), you can build a house (even a capital and all-season one), you can connect communications to it. There are also disadvantages - it is difficult to register in such a house, you will have to pay for communications at your own expense, and the owner of the plot is quite dependent on the decisions of the management of the partnership.

Alexander Tsyganov also speaks about the problems of SNT - in his opinion, the issue here is rather about price. If the buyer is ready to sacrifice some advantages for the sake of a low price, he can choose SNT, if not, then individual housing construction:

Buying a house in a regular settlement often involves large utility bills. An ordinary individual housing construction in a village is more convenient than land in a garden partnership (SNT), but it costs more. In SNT, you need to be ready to chip in to build a road, often narrowing it, supplying gas, repairing water pipes, and clearing snow. When choosing a future dacha, you need to look at possible restrictions due to the characteristics of the land. There may be a security zone, gas pipeline, etc. nearby, which will interfere with quiet life and construction. This can be looked at on the cadastral plan or consulted with realtors. You should also evaluate the distance to the fence and the width of the site; building codes are in effect now and it is often impossible to modernize or build something. The next question is communications. It’s good if there is main gas and it is already connected. If not, then you need to evaluate the possibility of connection or alternative heating methods. In SNT, most often the connected electrical power does not exceed 5 kW, which is not enough for heating in cold weather. For urban amenities, it is necessary to equip a well and a sewerage outlet, which also needs to be paid attention to. Relations with neighbors can ruin life in nature, but it is very difficult to assess this in advance. But cases of breeding chickens, goats, rabbits and bees can be seen immediately and the question of the advisability of living next to them can be decided.

Alexander Tsyganov

, Head of the Department of Insurance and Social Economics, Financial University under the Government of Russia.

But as for the question - buy a ready-made house or a plot for construction

, then everything is again not so simple. On the one hand, a plot of land in SNT can be found for more than normal money, and many construction companies offer ready-made sets of houses at affordable prices. However, in reality, it most often turns out that it is more profitable to just buy a ready-made house.

Thus, Alexander Tsyganov says that the only option when buying a building plot will be more profitable is if the buyer himself can be a foreman or he has such friends/relatives. On the other hand, buying a ready-made house is also quite risky

– it is advisable to involve a specialist in the inspection, who will check all the “weak points” in the house. At the same time, the most popular frame houses now are considered more problematic - and they need to be inspected especially carefully.

True, not so long ago a relatively profitable option for construction on credit appeared in Russia - the so-called “wooden mortgage”. Its essence is that when purchasing a house kit from one of the accredited construction companies, you can get a mortgage loan at a reduced rate, and the difference with market conditions will be covered by the state.

But such a mortgage had many disadvantages - a limited list of construction companies

, restrictions
on the loan amount
(3.5 million is not enough for the Moscow region), as well as restrictions on
the type of
houses (inexpensive panel houses were not included). As a result, the program was suspended, but most recently the government announced the possible launch of a new mortgage program for the purchase of wooden houses.

And we have gas in our apartment. And you?

One day I almost made an advance payment for a house that suited us in most respects. The only thing that slightly discouraged me was the lack of gas and, therefore, heating with electricity. The owner of the house and the agent unanimously asserted that the house is very warm and heating with an electric boiler in the most severe frosts costs no more than 5,000 rubles a month.

In fact, they didn’t pay for electricity at all, because they stole it in the most unscrupulous way. When it came to checking the documents, the selling party hesitated for a long time in response to the demand to show receipts for electricity. Then, smiling embarrassedly, the hostess timidly said that they don’t pay for electricity at all, because they stupidly “pick” it right from the pole.

Simply great! It is not clear what they were hoping for? Perhaps they were waiting for a sucker and a loser who would not look at the documents, but would simply bring them a suitcase of money. But we are already accustomed to such antics. You can't fool us. It just feels somehow uneasy when they clearly lie to your face without even blushing or looking away.

Over time, I will most likely write a separate article where I will show the costs of heating using an electric and gas boiler. Fortunately, our new house has both (the electric boiler is used as a backup).

Just keep this in mind. If you buy a huge house that is not connected to a gas pipe, get ready to pay VERY impressive sums for heating with electricity. All talk about how “modern technologies make it possible to heat a large house using very little electricity” can be greeted with an icy snake-like smile and condescendingly wait until the flow of lies dries up.

Then just turn around and leave. Although... you can stay if you are willing to pay 25-30 thousand a month for heating, or “board up” the second floor for the winter.

Purposes of buying a private house

A person who wants to take a break from the noise and excessive proximity of neighbors is unlikely to be deterred by all of the listed disadvantages. Peace and quiet are more important.

How to choose a private house to live in the city or outside of it? There are three ways: build it yourself, buy a new home from a developer, or purchase a secondary home. In small towns, a private house can be found even in the central areas; the outskirts and nearby settlements are also being actively developed.

Before choosing a private house, when purchasing, you should decide on the purpose of purchasing it:

• whether it will be used as permanent housing;
• as a country house exclusively for recreation;
• as a summer cottage with an area for growing vegetables and fruits;
• as premises for carrying out any professional activities;
• like housing for rent.

Various premises can be built on the site, but a house means only a building whose area is sufficient for comfortable living, having a foundation and a roof. Other buildings are classified as commercial buildings.

A private house suitable for family living must have a bedroom, living room, kitchen and corridor. The bathroom is often combined with the boiler room inside the house, but it can also be attached separately or even located away from the main building.

If you are wondering how to choose the right private house, you need to keep in mind that its design must include:

• sound foundation - foundation;
• walls that form the basis of the house;
• roof covered with suitable roofing material (tiles, ondulin, slate);
• partitions dividing space into rooms;
• door and window openings;
• heating system (boiler, radiators);
• ceilings and finishing (plasterboard, suspended ceilings);
• flooring (laminate, linoleum, tiles, parquet boards);
• thermal insulation and finishing.

Built for themselves

We have heard this phrase most of the time. Each seller always came up with a beautiful legend why he was forced to sell the house into which he had invested so much work and hope. We've heard so many stories!

It is believed that in theory we should build well for ourselves. It’s not like it’s for sale - it’s a bummer, I sold it quickly and ended up in the water.

Alas, sellers and especially real estate agents very rarely tell “the truth and nothing but the truth.”

As a result, we bought a house from a man who immediately honestly said that he was building it for sale. He didn’t fuss, didn’t try to look servilely into your eyes, he honestly told you what would have to be completed, offering his services to bring the object to condition.

If other agents had been just a little more honest, I think there wouldn’t be such a black crisis in the real estate market.

Country house or dacha?

You can buy housing within the city, but many residents of the “concrete jungle,” on the contrary, want to leave it – some for a while, and some for permanent residence. What is better for this - to be puzzled by how to choose a house outside the city or a dacha? At first glance, it may seem that these are the same thing, but experts do not agree with this. The first option is usually private housing, in which people live throughout the year or periodically (in any season). In this regard, such buildings must be equipped with the necessary communications - electricity, sewerage, water supply, heating systems.

One of the fashionable and popular types of such buildings today is the cottage. It is intended for residence throughout the year - permanently or periodically, and often has more than one floor. Often this type of private housing is built near the city limits.

A dacha is a building erected for people to stay in during the warm season. Due to the fact that in cold seasons, as a rule, no one is in it, it is enough to simply electrify it. As for heating, it is usually not needed in such buildings, and many summer residents take water from wells and nearby reservoirs. More often, a dacha is a small building, next to which there is a vegetable garden, a garden, and greenhouses and outbuildings can be located.

Based on these definitions, you decide whether you need a country house or a summer house.

Other moments that you somehow don’t think about

Let me just list the reasons why we abandoned some objects:

1. Great distance from the city. If you drive to work every day, you'll end up without pants.
2. The presence of a cell tower directly near the site. I'm not paranoid, but... what if she falls?
3. Poor quality of water from the well. The water that has just been pumped out may be completely clear. After 15 minutes it turns into a brown slurry. Iron, however!
4. Underground karst voids. There are areas that have a bad reputation. I wouldn't like to end up underground one day.
5. Area near airports. Airplanes dump fuel from time to time during landing approaches. And they are also noisy.
6. Availability of a busy highway nearby. It is clear that the entrance is good all year round. But no windows can save you from noise. Especially if you go out into the garden.
7. Suspicious contingent.
8. A power line passing near or, God forbid, above the site.
9. The railway line is “beyond the fence”. What if they build a high-speed highway instead? What will happen to your home?
10. Presence near landfills.
11. The presence of nearby streams and rivulets that flow through industrial zones upstream.
12. View from the window... etc.

Do you like this view from the window?

Which private house to choose based on age

1. A young family with small children is unlikely to raise chickens and plant a vegetable garden, but they need running water, gas heating and proximity to work, a clinic and a kindergarten. In this case, you can save money and choose a foam block house with an area of ​​60 to 80 square meters, divided into four rooms (three bedrooms and a living room), with a terrace and a steel door opening onto the courtyard. A plot of two acres will be enough, and a septic tank will allow you not to think about cleaning the cesspool.
2. For a couple of pensioners, a one-story brick house with an area of ​​about 50 square meters with gas or coal heating is suitable. Elderly people don’t need more than two rooms; the less space they need to clean, the better. So that they do not have to make repairs, they should choose a house made of durable materials: ondulin roofing, metal-plastic windows. For comfortable living in a country house there must already be a well and a drainage hole. Outbuildings for storing tools are also useful.
3. Those wishing to purchase a new building on favorable terms can be recommended to choose a two-story frame house with a total area of ​​about 130 square meters. Five rooms will provide accommodation not only for the owners, but also for the guests. Electric heating will save on connecting to the gas main, and a septic tank will save on sewerage. To park several cars, you need a space in front of the house of about 15 square meters.
4. Wealthy people who do not need to commute to work every day can afford a three-story cottage outside the city. 300 square meters can easily be divided into 10 large rooms, three bathrooms will prevent queues from forming even in a large family. A good-quality cottage requires high-quality materials: metal tiles, plastic windows, a strong steel door with mineral insulation. Gas heating and a septic tank will ensure comfortable living.