Buying first house as large family

[LawdAMercy]

Me and DH have 4 young children and are finally ready buy our first house.

We can afford to buy a 90m/3bed 1970s house in good nic here and keep kids in school. Or possibly a run down 4 bed an hour commute for DH and elderly parent (currently 30-40 mins to both).

Thought I’d be more excited than this! I’ve been longing to have my own place for so long but now feeling concern about how my older two will manage sharing (eldest possibly ADHD and tends to dominate laidback 2nd DC).

Seen a house I like, decent south-facing garden, light bright downstairs and possibility to extend in the future but guess I’m worried that we won’t be able to afford that ever (we’re late 30s/early 40s). Think I’m feeling a bit of decision paralysis. Do I need to give my head a wobble?!

I would go for it op. 1970’s houses are not going to have planning restrictions or complicated Victorian plumbing so extensions are going to be pretty straightforward. You can extend to the side, loft and back over time and also use a garden room etc.

Buy the 70’s one. A run down one will keep eating money and will depress you with long lead times for stuff/hassle of that commute/trying to find good tradies etc. Do-able when there’s no dc involved!

Also the band your house is in for council tax does not increase should you extend. It only changes to a higher band when you sell it on