To ask which house would you buy if you were me?

[WhichHousethough]

I obviously have a budget that's on the small side-I am single and always have been. Just me and one DC. These are ones I've been sent by an estate agent. I am relocating for work but also just had a bit of a bad time and need a fresh start.

People on here seem to like looking at houses anyway! And I just felt maybe someone may give me some reasons for/against any of them that the untrained eye (mine) may not have noticed. I am getting a lot of opinions from friends but they've all just served to confuse me even more as they're all vastly different!

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/wf17/monk-ings.html

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/134125463#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146765312#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140501888#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146417417#/?channel=RES_BUY

Have you looked at Morley or Gildersome?

What, even if you're in someone else's back garden?

Bookroyd lane one is go for. Having a house that ready to go is best and also relaxing as you can just enjoy it.

Although the first one you get a lot of space but if it’s just you and DC you don’t need it and it’s pricier.

That sowerby bridge one is nice

"The one with the garage in front of it is a lot of work as you’d have to take that down."

Why? Serious question

Why is it weird? If you have a look at the photos and the map this is a very steep area. A former owner has added this to the front garden as an additional off road parking space in addition to the separate garage.

If the OP wanted to park in the garage instead of the "weird parking" would that solve the problem?

Thank you again so much for all your suggestions. I've not abandoned my thread, just had work then a busy evening.

I'd not considered Gildersome! I have some family in birstall. I've also just learned that this one is coming on the market soon too. Although it has been a BTL apparently and the photos on RM are quite old so not sure if it looks very different now.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/england-48429003-85462962?s=d2e7e8ccbaf4fc7556e30adc18b2bc65f28b8279a85590cffb880a73d2935190#/

Again I'd not considered Sowerby Bridge. The ones on the thread are just ones the agent has sent me and I quite like them all really!

Also, i take the points about the downstairs bathroom! That could be a PITA for definite, I've heard that sometimes they're difficult to get a mortgage on, too?

From memory, Sowerby Bridge is a long way from the others!

I like the Sowerby Bridge one - the view would be lovely in the summer with drinks on the patio.

Just googling about this one seems like a lot of bang for your buck. It needs a lot of work, it’s on what seems to be a main road but it’s set back and it’s online auction but it could be lovely.

It is!, but that's my not so subtle point! OP would have a better quality of life in that area. She can still catch a train from Sowerby Bridge to Batley to see family ( or drive, it's a straight forward route). There is a train to Leeds if the reason for locating in Birstall is for work. If you're looking for a fresh start as a single mum with a teenager, I think Sowerby Bridge offers you a lot of what you need on the OPs budget. That short walk to the local well regarded school for her DC is what most people dream of. But if OP wants to be in walking distance of family then that is a dealbreaker - the family connection in Birstall was revealed after my suggestion. I thought she was moving on her own randomly to Birstall/Batley not knowing the area.

I love the second one on this list.

Sowerby bridge is an awful drive to Birstall and there are other areas more accessible that would be nicer? Are you invested in selling this house @Tryingtobewellbalanced? It’s not far in distance but that section of the M62 is a nightmare for accidents/incidents, there must be one almost every day.

I would look also at Morley, Gildersome, Drighlington, Birkenshaw. Mirfield and Brighouse are also ok although a bit further out.

I like this one because of the garden and the access to it. But would depend on the area, and even which way the garden is facing.

Thanks for the accusation, but No. I just have a good knowledge of the areas. I would say travelling across West Yorkshire is full of traffic, especially into Leeds as it's a conurbation. You would need to time your visits and route like people do. In fact one of the reasons I think OP should consider somewhere else is because how congested Birstall is, it is on route to Leeds and the Ikea/showcase shopping complex. There is an absolute reason why she has found the cheapest detached house in a 15 mile radius there.

So no, I have no vested interest in selling any house. What I was genuinely doing was trying to find a single mum who is looking for a fresh start a really good option for a good life within her budget. 👍

For me Newley Ave has the most potential. I would love to get my hands on that and do it up.
Have no idea what the area is like mind.

Err, you would seriously want that in front of your house? Also, those type of older garage are a.) not usually big enough for a modern car and b.) may have asbestos somewhere in the equation.

I’d be very surprised if anyone trying to replace a garage like that, sighted in front of a house would get permission.

Just on aesthetic grounds, would you really want that as your vista when you looked out front 🤷

@BoneshakerBike are there mosques in birstall? I didn't know that (not saying it matters of course but yes I just felt I have links to the area. I am not religious in any form.
Thanks again for everyone's help. Good points about traffic.

Craven Lane is the nicest house x

47 Monk Ings. So much scope to extend at a later date. 1/3 acre plot, detached. You could just unpack for now.

That was my first thought - over fifty grand. Why such a price discrepancy? Or was that renovation costs considered in the cheaper ones.

Not sure but loads in Batley including some niche ones I believe- I think that 1 is up near Birstall end. I have been to a couple but they were more central Batley. I have an ex colleague who wanted to live within a certain distant of the right mosque- so chose just south of Batley.

There is loads of new housing around Morley/Gildersome and so lots of older properties for sale as people move to the new. Probably some real negotiation or price as there seems to be a bit of a glut.

Drigh?

Not the one with crazy paving cladding because a) yuk b) often hides and/or causes issues with the underlying wall.

A few thoughts:
I’d always go detached if I could afford it, not only from a noise perspective but also less risk of neighbours doing work that affects your house structurally.
The bungalow is nice and has potential for being really lovely but do you and DC feel comfortable sleeping on the ground floor?
I wouldn’t want a ground floor bathroom with no loo upstairs so that’d discount the four bedder.
A galley kitchen isn’t for me but it doesn’t bother everyone so that’s something to think about too.
I do like the white one but I am sure I’m being swayed by its shiny freshness somewhat. It may be wiser financially to buy one of the cheaper ones and redecorate yourself if that’s something you have time for.
The kitchen with the fire in it is weird.
Also, in addition to those who have said to think about schools, amenities, transport links etc, I’d consider things like where in the house key pieces of furniture would fit, how doorways work practically etc. And I always decide where the Christmas tree will go before choosing a house but that may just be a me thing!
Not sure I’ve been entirely helpful but those are the sorts of things I’d be thinking about.

I like the bungalow