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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy this House

277 replies

TherapyRocks · 25/09/2023 08:02

Head vs. heart issue.

I’ve fallen in love with this house but it’s on the small side for me & two teenagers.

It’s at the bottom of my price range so the alternative is a big, four bedroom new build type with all modern bells & whistles.

I’m worried that this house will suit me down to the ground but will be too cramped / too much of a compromise for two growing kids.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132915815#/?channel=RES_BUY

Check out this 3 bedroom detached house for sale on Rightmove

3 bedroom detached house for sale in Wrexham Road, Malpas, SY14 for £349,000. Marketed by AJ Reid Estate Agents, Whitchurch

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132915815#/?channel=RES_BUY

OP posts:
SmugglersHaunt · 25/09/2023 09:24

I live in London in a flat so this is a castle to me. If you really like it that much, go for it. If it’s at the bottom of your budget could you extend if necessary?

johnworf · 25/09/2023 09:26

It's beautiful and has so much character. I'd buy it!

alldakatz · 25/09/2023 09:28

Love alone is not a good basis for buying a house, or making any major life decision. You need to look ahead and consider the practicalities.

What do your children think of the house?

Coffeesnob11 · 25/09/2023 09:29

I would always buy old over new and also tell the kids you can afford more holidays with this house. I love my 1960's house. Its solid and although almost everything needs updating it feels like it could withstand anything.

UndercoverCop · 25/09/2023 09:29

It's nice, the garden wouldn't work for me but it's low maintenance, the downstairs study/bed 4 could be a teen room, like a separate living room. The main living room isn't huge, but that's a decent size kitchen diner so it doesn't need to be. I don't know the area at all though so that's another consideration

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 25/09/2023 09:30

No room sizes on the floor plan really irritates me.
But I do like it, OP.

AussieManque · 25/09/2023 09:30

Looks lovely, I like the herringbone floor and the kitchen is huge. The bedrooms, despite sloping ceiling, look a good size.

I hate floorplans that don't give measurements, the lounge is maybe a bit small (hard to tell without measurements) but could you knock down the wall to the study to make it bigger?

What's the total floor area? For three people I'd say you need at least 100m2 to be comfortable/not in each other's pockets.

MistyBay · 25/09/2023 09:30

I love it! I am in a similar position where I will be looking for a house for me and my two teenage DCs. I see it as they will be moving out in five or so years and so I want to get something that's enough for me when they have gone, but still big enough to have them over for family dinners. That kitchen diner is perfect for that and the view over the land is lovely.

Check out that they are def not intending to build on that any time soon as it looks ripe for development.

Pinkdelight3 · 25/09/2023 09:31

Love it! There's enough room and they won't be living there forever. I'd buy it and enjoy the heck out of it.

RedHelenB · 25/09/2023 09:33

BabaPixi · 25/09/2023 08:14

You'd struggle to fit you and 2 teenagers in a 3 bedroom detached house?

This. My definition of small must be different to OPs. I've 3 d's in a much smaller 3 bed and I don't consider mine is a small house.

Original poster
TherapyRocks · 25/09/2023 09:34

For people questioning the definition of small, it’s the small third bedroom & lack of storage which is my main concern.

The downstairs is perfect.

OP posts:
ImNotReallySpartacus · 25/09/2023 09:34

What about parking?

Spaceofmyown · 25/09/2023 09:36

It’s gorgeous @TherapyRocks 😍
Can totally see why you love it. I think there are ways to accommodate yourself and two teens - making a gaming room in the downstairs study, perhaps?

MiauzenKatzenjammer · 25/09/2023 09:36

Love the view, the house not so much. You can always get stained glass panels put in if that's what you want.

pontipinemum · 25/09/2023 09:39

It's fab I love it!

But wise other people have added in important things to think about, mostly about heating. But you could probably insulate it more.

The fields - I am a farmer, yes you will have slurry spread but not often. There will be loud tractors but not often. Sold to a developer, hard to say. I am in Ireland and land is hard to get 're-zoned'

friskybivalves · 25/09/2023 09:42

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 25/09/2023 09:30

No room sizes on the floor plan really irritates me.
But I do like it, OP.

I thought this, but the room sizes are on the listing. Still not as convenient, but they are there!

Weenurse · 25/09/2023 09:42

Remember DC grow and leave (this is also the secret to a tidy house), so if it will suit you once they are grown and gone, go for it

Blinkityblonk · 25/09/2023 09:42

It's an extremely nice house, but I do see what you mean about the small third bedroom, with the sloping roof there's nowhere to put a wardrobe or desk so I do think that's a disadvantage, and I'd be looking to create a study downstairs which everyone could use...

It's absolutely gorgeous, and I'm not sure new builds have heaps of storage but they do usually have the roof space (?) so I think a shed in the garden might be required.

It's absolutely doable for three, but in an ideal world everyone has a bedroom you can have a bed, wardrobe/drawers and a desk IMO (one of mine has a very small room and they are messy and it's a pain).

kamboozled · 25/09/2023 09:42

I can see why you like this character home over some new build (which wouldn't be well built I reckon).

The slanted ceilings on the bedrooms really limits furniture though - it does look a little small for two teens but what do they think?

I'd like to say it'll be great once they move out just for you, but with the cost of housing / rent these days it might be wiser to think of them being there a lot longer!

DriftingDora · 25/09/2023 09:43

The view at the back is great - but definitely looks eye-catching for any developer, so it may not stay 'a beautiful view' for long! Also, as a former chapel, does it have any restrictions on it or any conditions you should know of? Obviously solicitor would be able to check on this, but I'd be wary.

PinkRoses1245 · 25/09/2023 09:43

It is lovely. my concerns would be the single glazing (I think it has it), and generally energy efficiency. If they're teens, it's not long term that they'll be 3 of you in the house.

PinkRoses1245 · 25/09/2023 09:44

And i'd be getting a Level 3 survey ASAP if you do get an offer accepted, and don't let your heart overrule your head if there are major issues.

Flyinggeesei234 · 25/09/2023 09:44

Heart over head on this one. Did you get ‘the feeling’ when you walked in?

TropicalTrama · 25/09/2023 09:45

I love it! It has 3 beds, 2 loos - perfect for 1 adult and 2 teens. Looks like it has plenty of cupboards to me, plus there’s that study/bed 4 that could house some extra storage as well maybe being as a teen lounge with sofa bed for potential guests? If you need any more more storage than that you probably need a clear out tbh! I’d just want to be as sure as I could be that those fields at the bottom would remain fields and you won’t end up with 200 new builds staring at you within 5 years.

MerryChristmasToYou · 25/09/2023 09:45

@cringelibrarian , It's not in Merseyside. It's in the south of Cheshire.

@TherapyRocks , it's a chapel conversion, and they have limited appeal, if reselling is likely to be an issue.
Malpas is nice, you have Wrexham and Nantwich nearby.