To ask for help deciding which house to go for? Sorry posting for traffic as need advice x

[Auramigraine]

Hi all

So currently renting but have saved a deposit up over past 10 years and ready to step onto the property ladder. We live in a small village, our DC have a lovely school so for this reason we are quite restricted to houses in the immediate area.

There is a development at the moment being built, I would say it has about 50 houses built and moved into and currently building another 100, we went along thinking not much but found a plot that is perfect, own drive, affordable for our budget, layout great, the sales woman said it will be ready in about December, she has put our name down on the plot and will ring when it’s ready to reserve, but we haven’t put a penny down yet.

Last week I was driving down a street near my DC school and saw a house for sale, couldn’t find details online so rang and found it was to be put up this week, I have booked a viewing for this week. This street is quite popular, two houses I have noticed previously been interested in sold within 3 days so I know I have to act fast if I want it. This house is nice, nice location, but a bit on the small side, the front room is quite small (viewed a house on street before and its exact same)

BUT the seller has left so we could move in as soon as we sort mortgage. The other house on the other hand is months away, brexit is coming and I feel risk putting 10% down (exchange 28 days after reserve) and I do have anxiety so I know waiting after legally exchanging is going to be a stressful time for me.

Saying no to either house is not an option, we have been house hunting for over two years.

The new house would be our forever home, the other MIGHT be but I can’t say for definite it would be.

I don’t want my desperation to be a home owner cloud my judgement but I have no idea what to do.

Any advice? Sorry it’s long x

My mum lives in an older house, her roof leaks, a full new roof has not fixed the issue. We noticed a small leak and the builder was round the same day to fix it. Her combi boiler is useless as the house wasn’t designed to take it, I had a small boiler issue which was sorted in 24 hours. Our street is a mixture of styles and everyone has put their own stamp on their gardens etc. Our neighbour sold for more than she paid 2 years ago and ours was ready three weeks early.

I rang the estate agent pretending to be interested and enquired about service charges and they told me there is ground rent. Check that very carefully. You need to make sure of the conditions surrounding the annual increases in ground rent. It's ground rent that has been causing problems recently - a new company buying the leasehold purely for the sake of reaping the benefits of the ground rents, which have been increasing by amounts way over inflation. Do go into this with your eyes open if for either property you don't hold the freehold.

@MereDintofPandiculation I’m not sure if my post was clear or not.

The house I’m interested in (call them company A) has bought the whole land, they allowed another company (B) to build on their land but those houses are leasehold as the houses are on company A’s land, the remaining land company A are going to build their own houses on and sell as freehold as they own the land, if that makes sense? Because company B finished their properties 2 years ago that’s why I rang and enquired as Company As haven’t been lived in long enough for anyone to move yet. Ground rent isn’t an issue for the house I want, it’s service charges only. I was only ringing to sneakily find out if sales woman was lying to me about no service charges.

If that’s what you knew I meant would there be a reason I would owe ground rent on a freehold? Appreciate any advice.

Older house 100%. Closer to schools & you don't have to get the car out every morning....which us a boon when its snowing & much nicer to walk in the summer.

Aldo 20 years isn't old & imo better than a new build that might have snagging problems once you move in.....which could spoil your xmas.

If you do go for the new build please check whether it's truly freehold or if there are any management fees, covenants etc.

Thanks all, I’m leaning more toward the second house now tbh as hearing about all these hidden costs are frightening me tbh, I’m sure a good solicitor would find them out though. Can’t view until middle of the week because of work, just hope it’s not too late and they get an offer before then.

Sorry, I missed the latest posts (didn't realise I was on the first page still!). Don't believe a word the saleswoman our estate agent said regarding service charges. If there is ground rent or service charges you are not buying a true freehold so please run and don't look back. So many people have ended up with houses they are unable to sell because of unregulated service charges or doubling ground rent.

I'm sure a good solicitor would find them out though

We thought we had a good solicitor. Unfortunately he neglected to mention issues with short leases and now we're stuck. I know it's not the same situation as yours but I'm very wary of trusting anyone now!

@PinkSparklyPussyCat thank you. I am always convinced she has lied to us because of silly things like she has never put in writing there’s no service charges, only verbally. Just a gut feeling I had. Worries me now that solicitors can overlook things too! This house buying business is a nightmare

I would go for the established house on an established street where your dc can walk to school....
. new builds can be a nightmare and I wouldnt belive a word of an estate or sales agent re fees I would want to see it in writing.....
there are very often delays

where would the secondary schools be?
is there scope to extend/remodel the older (althought not old!) house...

New build housing is horrible. I would avoid new builds unless they’re in a really small development with a good builder or there is no other option.

Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you about solicitors! To be honest I think we were unlucky and if you question anything you're unsure (we didn't question enough) then you'll be fine. Go by recommendation, we made the mistake of using the solicitor recommended by the estate agent. We nearly used the solicitor DH used previously who was excellent, but the new one was close by so we thought it would be more convenient.

@BogglesGoggles that what exactly my thoughts six months ago but been looking for over two years and getting nowhere or by the time we view a house it’s already gone.

Aquired never do underestimate the power of walking to school.
The car breaks, no problems.
No parking morning and night.
Children end up with friends near by...
Every new build we know of has over run.

We are currently in a new build. We have never lived in a house that has needed so many repairs.

We have to drive the kids to school everyday. It would be great to have the option to walk. In fact we regularly look at movinv for this reason alone. Don't underestimate how much this will impact your life.

Established neighbourhoods in a nice area have a much nicer feel than the newer squashed in estates. Well in my opinion anyway.

The older house. It's a known quantity. You will know the issues following the survey, Otherwise you are, as they say, buying a pig in a poke if you go for thr new build.