Opinions on these two houses?

[Henesseyus]

Posting here for traffic, apologies! My friend did similar recently and found the advice really helpful (these houses are in a similar area).

Which do you prefer out of these two houses? Any comments or observations welcome.

House 1:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/164604146#/?channel=RES_BUY

House 2:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/165007046#/?channel=RES_BUY

I think we are edging towards house 1, as the plot is better (driveway parking and doesn’t open on to street) but there is a footpath nearby which gets quite busy as near a shopping centre. Not sure if anyone has experience of living near similar?

Of those 2 I’d go for number 1 as the weird shaped rooms and garden would put me off house 2 but if I was actually buying I would keep looking as I don’t like either of them .

They’re both not nice. Non existent or depressing garden. Depressing grey inside.

The last one posted is lovely. Although needs a bit of work.

I really don't understand the people saying they hate both on the grounds they're cold or impersonal - obviously if you lived there you fill it with your own stuff so it's no longer impersonal! So much can easily be done with furnishing and cushions/throws, artwork, rugs, plants, books etc without even having to paint the walls or change the flooring, never mind more extensive/expensive renovations. Aren't people always advised to remove clutter and make the place as neutral as possible for estate agents pics?

Anyway, as you asked, I think they're both perfectly nice houses, obviously both modern which isn't to everyone's taste as this thread is showing! Period not for everyone and if we're talking cold I bet these houses are better insulated than a beautiful chilly/damp Victorian high ceilinged terrace! I'd prefer 1 as it's so much bigger and on a better plot, there's lots you can do with that space and it can definitely be made to feel warm and homely with a lick of paint, maybe some new carpets/flooring or countertops for the kitchen, new handles on the kitchen cabinets, that kind of thing. The townhouse layout isn't for everyone for sure but if you have young kids at the moment you have options to keep all bedrooms on the same floor, maybe using the top floor as studies/adult space and then when they're a bit older move their or your bedrooms up there?

Option 1, so much more potential. How busy is the walkway? Any antisocial behavior going on in the park next door?

Neither.
House 1 has more space but is very sterile looking. House 2 looks as if they have squeezed in rooms leading to some odd layouts. Neither to my taste, and the gardens are both a bit small for the size of the house and not very green.

Neither.

House 1. I don't like the way it's built over the drive. Does anyone else have access over it?

House 2. I don't like the way it's shoehorned onto the corner of 2 roads.

Neither are my style of house (I don't mean decor, I just don't like most 70s onwards homes) but I think 1 offers most. I hate the weird angles of 2, though think it has more curb appeal.

No idea on area though as I'm oop north.

We actually used to own a house on rd 1. It's quite quiet. I wouldn't think the footpath is too busy. Parking can sometimes be an issue but not so much there. The houses are now fairly old - so it's settled down a bit. But check them over carefully as they might be starting to go. No real people issues iyswim.

Both look a bit uninviting, but if you are looking for a large family home on a small budget, the second one is definitely the better one.

You get a lot of house for your money with the first one, but it is very close to the neighbours, so lack of privacy and disputes might be a problem.

The second one seems to have a bit more room around it and looks more appealing inside. It is a nicer looking house, so might be easier to sell when the time comes.

Not number 2. It doesn't matter how many photos you show of your fabulous new kitchen with the swirly light, there's no getting away from the fact that the toilet door opens into it.

The Devon Road one has a lovely garden, but I wouldn't want the master bedroom on the ground floor. The kitchen's more linear, too - definite demarcation from the dining room.

As pp noted, what's the access situation with number 1?

I prefer 1 although there’s no real garden is there? Unless I’m missing something?

House 2 looks like every other soulless box being built in my village (nowhere near Swindon) & parking will undoubtedly be an issue. Why planners allow large houses with one tiny space nowhere near the actual house is beyond me.

If my only choice was between these two then it would be house 1. Better light and parking. 2 is a weird shape, the kitchen is horrible and it looks very dark. Both have really small gardens. I think the Devon Rd one that someone posted has much more potential and the garden is gorgeous. It's also not a bad area.
Knowing the area both are on massive soulless estates (imo) with bad parking and not great amenities (again just my opinion) there are much nicer areas in swindon, although these may be out of your price range.

Thanks all:

-The house someone else posted is not in an area we are looking to live unfortunately but I appreciate the suggestion

-I think the location of house 2 on the road is going to put us off. As is the parking being at the back of the house (and not a driveway)

-House 1 access wise, I’ll need to check but it appears a private road with just that and two other houses

Where do you like in Swindon? There’s always mixed reviews on where people regard as nice etc.

House 1.

More beds, more bathrooms, better parking.

You can refurb and decorate it how you like over the years. I'm not swayed by decor. Its the bare bones of the house that matters.

I wouldn't consider house 2, as nice as it may be, as it doesn't look to have much off road parking and that would be an issue for me.

House number 1 is more spacious inside and has a lot more outdoor space. I much prefer that one over house number 2.

Neither really, as they both have issues. The floorplan of house 1 isnt to my taste at all. Bedrooms mixed with living rooms and most of the bedrooms are tiny - there's a lot of 'max' in the measurements on the floor plan. The usable space will be much less than it looks. The footpath to a shopping center would be a no too.

House 2 is a no because even though it's got a better and more interesting layout, the flat roof and tiny garden would put me off.

Much prefer the alternative linked upthread.

I am surprised how negative most people are! I don’t know Swindon but house 1 looks pretty decent to me.

I would not go for either,I don’t like three story homes

if I had to choose house one is better in that there is a bigger driveway, but less reception rooms downstairs the other house had a study that could be used for something and I like 2s kitchen

i needs a fair amount of work on it I think but if you intend to be there long term it might work

The space in house 1 is it’s biggest selling point for me.
BUT:
I’m a massive kitchen perv, and the kitchen in house 2 is right up my street 😍
I’s sacrifice the extra space for the perfect kitchen!

Neither. Both awful, keep looking!

The photos of 2 focus on the kitchen, but I think it looks impractical. The island doesn’t seem to have much clearance on the functional side.

I don’t like either house, sorry, but if I had to pick I would probably go with 1.

We’ve ruled out House 2 this evening, and also seen a house which was listed a while ago which caught our eye (prior to us being on the market) has returned to Rightmove.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/168215318#/?channel=RESBUY

Any thoughts? It’s again by a path which is the only real concern…and side access to garden is by walking round the side of the house.

I love both and they are great prices too