A video of a Canadian woman living in Scotland sharing her regret over buying a 19th-century flat that turned out to have significant dampness problems has gone viral on TikTok.
The video was posted by Tayce (@tayceomoni), a millennial mom in her 30s, and has amassed 112,000 views since it was shared on August 10. Text over the clip reads: “I just bought this 1800s flat and I hate it,” before showing various parts of the two-bedroom property in a surrounding area of Glasgow, which she purchased on August 1.
In the video, Tayce begins with a candid admission: “I made a huge mistake. I absolutely hate myself…we just bought a two-bedroom flat in Scotland, I was charmed by the high ceilings, the wood floors and the heritage vibes. Turns out I missed the fine print—it’s actually really damp and that means it kind of smells moldy in my daughter’s room.”
Speaking to Newsweek, Tayce explained her initial attraction to the property. “When I saw it, I loved the high ceilings, the old detailing and the wood floors. I love Victorian and Georgian homes. We decided to buy it due to the low cost and the opportunity to own an old flat,” she said.
@tayceomoni on TikTok
She acknowledged that she had been aware of some issues: “I read it was damp in the home report, but I did not think it was a huge deal, as I realize most old flats will have some dampness. I realized I hated it when I smelled the moldy or musty smell in one of the bedrooms that I hadn’t noticed before.”
Her experience comes at a time when many home buyers face difficult housing decisions. According to a 2024 report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, millions of Americans have been “priced out of the market by elevated home prices and interest rates.” The report found that home prices surged in 97 of the top 100 markets, with especially steep increases in the northeast and Midwest regions.
For Tayce, the reality of the property’s condition quickly set in. “I had post home buying anxiety when the gravity of the amount of work needed hit me for real,” she told Newsweek. “I felt like I wished I’d just bought something easier, even though I do admire how beautiful the flat is and can be. I’d like to change the room and bathroom the most.”
Her TikTok video shows the start of renovations in some parts of the home. She says in the clip: “So, we’re living in chaos right now while we try to renovate this…I have no experience…we’re just pulling off the wallpaper…we’re gonna go from there and pray for the best.”
Despite her frustration, Tayce maintains a sense of determination. In the video, she says: “You don’t need to tell me how dumb I am because I already know. I feel terrible. I feel worthless. I’m in a major all-time low. But I will never stop being optimistic, so here goes trying to fix this…”
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