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Original poster

Which house should I buy?

50 replies

Deerforest · 20/09/2021 20:57

Both houses have equally nice gardens.

House A is very old. Three rooms have low ceilings with beams that dh will have to stoop under (he says he doesn’t care), small windows so it’s quite dark. Loads of character though and location is perfect.

House B not as old, really beautiful, lots of light and space. But built right on the edge of a straight road (it’s a 30 mph limit with speed bumps but people go a lot faster) bigger garden, better parking, asking price is a bit lower.

OP posts:
Pissinthepottyplease · 20/09/2021 20:59

House B

Fadingout · 20/09/2021 21:01

Any chance of links? But from your description I’d go with house B unless you think anything else will come up. Our town is very much a sellers market at the moment and there’s very little on the market.

Mariell · 20/09/2021 21:01

B

How utterly ridiculous for a tall man to live in a house where he has to stoop.

SarahAndQuack · 20/09/2021 21:01

Have you had a survey on either? And how old is old?

Personally I'd probably go for B if it's got a pavement or a bit of garden between you and the road? Or do you mean literally it's right onto the road?

meadowbleu · 20/09/2021 21:03

Going only on what you say here, B. Dark and low ceilings are real negatives. If I saw them though, I'd have more to consider.

FindingMeno · 20/09/2021 21:04

It sounds to me like you're more keen on B but your DH on A if he doesn't mind stooping.
First thing I would do is for both of you to honestly say which you'd prefer. I may well be wrong, and you may agree!
I would go A personally.

CoffeeRunner · 20/09/2021 21:05

B if it has to be one of those two choices.

Could you wait for a house like B in location A?

SarahAndQuack · 20/09/2021 21:05

Oh, yes, and have you seen how dark it is in winter? Cos if it's dark now, before clocks change, it could be really gloomy later on.

FindingMeno · 20/09/2021 21:05

Unless A is listed in which case I might rethink.

Original poster
Deerforest · 20/09/2021 21:05

Thanks @Fadingout sorry to be annoying, but the links would be too outing I’m afraid otherwise I would. I’ve noticed more coming to the market here recently and things hanging around longer. Prices still crazy though.

OP posts:
WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 20/09/2021 21:06

B. I'd hate to live in a dark house.

2much2do2littletime · 20/09/2021 21:08

B. If shat you mean by 'right on the road' is where it doesn't have much of a pavement but the road isn't that busy, or if it's set back from the road by a garden. If it has no pavement and the road is really busy, I'd actually probably say neither as A is not my cup of tea at all.

2much2do2littletime · 20/09/2021 21:09

What, no shat! 😂

Disfordarkchocolate · 20/09/2021 21:12

B, I have lived in a dark house and would never do it again.

A lot would depend on the amount of traffic and how much noise it generated though. I struggle with noise.

Original poster
Deerforest · 20/09/2021 21:12

Yes A is listed.

No surveys on either

@SarahAndQuack that’s what I’m worried about. When we viewed it it couldn’t have been more sunny and it was still dark.

B’s back wall is about 50cm off the road, small strip of grass separating it from the road. DH is worried about noise.

A is perfect for us, I want to love it, but I don’t.

OP posts:
SarahAndQuack · 20/09/2021 21:13

TBH, I think you're right not to love A. I am a sucker for old houses, I'm your target market for it, but I think it sounds really unappealing TBH. And it could be a real money pit if it's listed.

waybill · 20/09/2021 21:15

If you don't love A now, imagine what it will be like when work needs to be done on the house which uncovers all manner of issues, and you have to get listed building consent before you can do anything.

B is rather close to the road and I for one couldn't cope with that - are you quite sure that there isn't a C somewhere?

Original poster
Deerforest · 20/09/2021 21:17

It’s not a particularly busy road. But hearing a car accelerating towards you in the night, bumping over speed bumps then accelerating off is really annoying, we’ve both lived near a main road before and didn’t want to again.

OP posts:
custardbear · 20/09/2021 21:21

I've lived in a house like A a d found it depressingly dark. Low ceilings are a pain too and those sound ridiculously low.
I'd go fir B

Original poster
Deerforest · 20/09/2021 21:21

A is tricky because some of the rooms are double height so lots of space and don’t feel claustrophobic, but the windows are still small and some are at strange heights so you have to bend down to look out. I think DH is getting old pub vibes off it which is making him love it.

OP posts:
Hen2018 · 20/09/2021 21:25

B

It’s not just missing the beams. It’s avoiding every door frame and negotiating getting yourself onto the first step of the staircase when there isn’t enough headroom.

That’s why we’re moving. Plus needing a bigger room for my son’s 7 foot extra long bed...

Aknifewith16blades · 20/09/2021 21:25

Do not buy a listed building that you don't love.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 20/09/2021 21:26

B

daytriptovulcan · 20/09/2021 21:29

A house you cant stand up straight in has got to be a no go...is it one of those awful tudor antiques... House B sounds preferrable, you might even be able to afford to heat it.

Original poster
Deerforest · 20/09/2021 21:32

Thanks everyone this is really helping me. It’s hard to turn A down (apologies as I just realised this is a bit of a drip feed, but I’m thinking as I’m writing) because it’s so beautiful and the location is perfect for us. DH could walk to work. There’s only a tiny handful of properties in the area and the chance of another one coming to market is almost zero. The kitchen is just what we wanted, but it’s the whole house and half of it feels too dark and cramped.

OP posts: