To want the bigger house in the less than perfect location

[Woodlandwalks]

We put our house on the market specifically for a house that came up in exactly the village we want to be in. It's where we used to live when we were renting and loved it but as first time buyers, we couldn't afford to stay there. The house is very run down (hence we can afford it) and would need completly updatng and we don't have a lot of money to play with so it would take a long time to get it how we wanted but certainly liveable.
We put an offer in Saturday which, long story short, we now think was accepted but we never actually heard back to confirm this though we've now seen the house is listed as sold STC on Rightmove (we offered what they asked for after a bit of negotiation but then as they were going to confirm, we never heard from them again so have had all weekend thinking they're biding their time before they accept.) Because of this, we started reviewing our options again and have come back to a much larger property we also looked at in a perfectly lovely area but not the perfect location for us (aesthetically speaking, practically minimal difference for work etc.)
We went and saw it a few weeks ago before we had sold to keep options open but dismissed it because it was not in the dream location.
But after the anti-climax of not knowing what happened on Saturday (the agent said he'd call right back with confirmation that we'd bought it and then nothing), we have thought about it again and it really could be a very nice home and it is a lot bigger and it needs less work doing to it immediately which would be easier as we have a young baby.

My husband thinks we should buy the smaller house but now I'm really not convinced. It's end of terrace Vs detached, only marginally bigger than our current property with a smaller living room and whilst both only have 1 toilet there's scope to easily put in 2 more in the existing bigger property where we would have to actually extend before we could put in another in the summer house. My husband keeps saying Location Location Location which I do get but we're only on baby number 1 and would like another child one day and as lovely as the villiage is, we'll spend most time actually inside the house. AIBU to want the bigger house?

What are the school options like for each house?

Can you tell us a but more about the location? Why isn't it ideal? How far is it from where you'd like to be?

How good are you and your DH at getting on and doing work on the house?

What's the school situation like for both?

@HappyAsASandboy

What are the school options like for each house?

Cross post!

They're only 3-4 miles apart so they're the same options really, for secondary school definitely. Both local primary schools to each house are good.

I find with young children location is more important. It’s a hassle getting out in the car/for a long walk so your stuck inside your house unless you have nice things to do in the immediate vicinity.

It's just that we used to live there so we know it very well. It's a very small, sleepy village which is what we want (both grew up in the middle of no where.so we like things quiet) and there's a real.sense of community there. The larger house is in much larger village, almost a town really and is getting bigger so although it is nice, it's just not where we know we want to be forever because it's less us. It's not that it isn't ideal to be fair, it's just not spot on perfect if that makes sense. But I don't know that we could ever afford a bigger house in the 'perfect' villiage which is why we'd need the smaller project house. The next available house to buy in the same village is £130k more expensive.

Location is extremely important as regards resale value and your enjoyment factor. With the first house, if you did the work for x money and sold, would you have the potential to get more back fir the house as opposed to spending similar amount in second house?

If the location factor is specific to you because you used to live there as first time buyer as opposed to bring a more desirable location generally, then go for second house. If the location, however, is a more desirable location to the general population, you always buy in the better location. Properties will maintain and increase in value more.

We’re currently about to start selling our house. Had three estate agents in and all valued same price (without any input from us) and it’s more than double purchase price. It’s the location - the town, walking distance to station, town centre, good schools.

Location is very important.

As a side note, this is our third house in this town. All had same location points we just went from semi (3bed) to link detached (4 bed) to detached houses (5 bed) as our family grew and we needed more space.

I’d be like you and want the bigger house, less work to do - With the smaller one, you are likely to be facing another move at some point if your family grows from what you say. But it depends how important the village thing really is for you both. If it’s really important to your husband, and it is what you have aspired to for years, I can see why he wants to go forward.

The agent needs a nudge though - you need to know if it’s your offer which has been accepted. Unlikely if he hasn’t let you know.

Or she .

It sounds like a great opportunity to get a place in the village you love, then.

The older your DC gets the harder it'll be to move again once they've made friends ad you'll need to consider unsettling them.

I'd be tempted to go for the smaller ones if your offer has been accepted.

If the bigger house is not in a ''bad'' area (i.e. run down, drugs and crime etc ) then go for it.

From what you posted I can't tell which is which, but regardless of any of the other differences you mentioned, I'd pick the detached one.

Hmmm it's a difficult one.

I'd normally say location and we went with house Vs location and now want to move 3 years later. We'll probably have to move to something smaller.

But as pp say I've found being easily able to get around for walks to be so important. Previously I'd always wanted to live in small villages but I'd have gone stir crazy in one now. My criteria is walkable distance to a decent shop, ideally a few. Small and sleeping might become a pita if it's so small you need a car to go to most places.

Id actually go for the larger detached if the area is reasonable, same/similar schools, less work with baby, detached Vs end of terrace all count in its favour.

Renovating a house is very, very stressful op - do factor that in. Whether it's getting Trades to commit or your dh burning himself out DIYing - you'll feel it and it will drive a wedge between you. I'm all for location but having a lot of experience of renovating, I would never choose to do it again.

Maybe once you hear back from the bastard agent you'll be able to make/be forced to make a decision. Good luck!

The house in the larger village is probably more desirable to more people so ease of resale wouldn't be an issue.

The small house that needs a lot of work sounds like a nightmare to me, it sounds like money and time would be an issue, so that would steer me towards house two anyway.

I'd withdraw my offer on house 1 and put an offer on house 2. It's so early days for house 1 that they won't have started the sale process. Plus if you haven't heard anything, that sold could be in response to someone else's offer anyway, not yours?

We bought a bigger house in a less desirable location but it turned out to be perfect as the new location has the most amazing neighbours and in the more desirable location they were a complete nightmare. Sometimes locations surprise you.

I’ve been in the small, shitty house needing doing up in the ideal location.
I’ve been in the compromise house in the less than ideal location.
I’ve been in the smaller house in the almost ideal location.
I’ve been in the bigger house in the less than the ideal location.

Take the bigger house. Seriously.

I'd always been keen for a big detached house over a small terrace, but it depends on location. This other area, is it bad enough that you'd worry about crime more?

When you live in a rough area it can be stressful because you worry about being broken into and about walking around the area. It's hard to put a price on peace of mind. I have lived in both rough and "nice areas and you certainly sleep better at night in a nice area because you don't think that every little noise is somebody breaking in.

FGS the larger village isn't The Bronx, it's just another village that the OP says is also perfectly lovely, just not as sleepy as the first village.

If the location is a lot better I would go with the smaller house. If it’s just because it’s what you know I would go with the detached but there is usually a reason why properties are significantly cheaper.

I’d go for the detached so long as it’s a nice location. I’d find a bigger village useful with a baby too: more to do on your doorstep, more mums about etc. We moved further towards a big town when we had DC and didn’t have a second car so I walked everywhere and could reach parks and shops and bus routes easily. Might be a bit lonely and cut off in a sleepy village.

The location of the bigger house sounds better with small children. A small town has more facilities in walking distance and probably has more baby groups etc. Is is big enough the kids can get themselves to school eventually? Don't underestimate the faff of a car school run every day.

You don't always want what you think you want - there can be a bit of rose tinted glasses.
Think about who you are and what your future looks like and pick accordingly.

For me there is a fundamental difference in quality and standard of living between a 1200-1400sq semi/end of terrace and a 1800-2000sq ft detached
(If you are talking 1800-2000 ft semi and 2500 sp ft detached then not so much.)

Some people are happy with less space but for me to be in my happy zone i need a calm umcluttered home and kids come with accessories!!!

Similarly We looked at renovation projects but having done one before carefully considered what it meant in terms of lifestyle, options and choices.
We purposefully bought somewhere broadly renovated (and we dont have kids!) Because in real terms it doesnt improve value significantly any more and for us future kids + renovation = total nightmare
It has alsp been amazing to enjoy our home rather than spend every waking moment researching, planning, coordinating, scraping stripping, rubbing, filling and painting things.

Based on what you said in your position I would strongly push for the detached but ultimately you both need to be on board.
Equally you are within your rights to say i know we put am offer in but i dont like this house and i dont want to buy it any more.

I loved the idea of living in a tiny village but actually ended up living in a very large one. Since having children I don't regret it at all. Plenty of toddler groups and activities in walking distance when they were young, nearly all school friends local and not in outlying villages. A god send now they are 12 and 13 and can walk to the youth club, football club or dance classes in the village hall and go to the shops alone with friends. It's perfect. I'll save living in that sleepy little village for when they've grown up and left home!