House that needs work Vs house that doesn't?

[Kayzr]

We are looking for a new house as we only have 2 bedrooms and DC3 is on the way.

We've recently done this house up. It needed walls and stairs moving, new flat roof, new kitchen and bathroom and new floors. Also all the decorating. Its been fun, horrible and mad all at once.

We've looked at a house that does need some work but not as much as we've had to do here. It has recently had an extension added but that isn't finished.

Downstairs the extension has added another living room and an utilty room. There is plumbing for radiators but the radiators will need putting in. The utilty room has a little room of it for a WC. Again it has just the plumbing. Its all plastered.

Upstairs the extension has added a 4th bedroom and a new bathroom which could be family or en suite bathroom. Again all plastered and needs finishing. Bathroom has plumbing but no bath, toilet etc. All the other rooms are fine and although we would decorate to our tastes are fine to move into.

The garden is huge and amazing and we have no garden here. Its an old council house and is surrounded mainly by council houses, which doesn't bother us in the slightest as we have lots of friends on this road or the surrounding roads. It is well within our budget and I frankly would enjoy having a house that needs some work but not loads.

But then there are a few houses that are also in our budget that we like that require no work other than painting to our tastes. They are lovely houses but only 3 bedrooms and a bit more expensive than the one that needs the work doing. One is a brand new build, well almost they aren't quite finished yet.

It does sound like I have made my mind up but DP isn't as keen because he works away and with DC3 being due in June he doesn't want me stressed out. My point of view is that the work on the 4 bedroom house isn't desperate for us to live there.

Would you go for the one that needs work or go for one that needs nothing?

Thanks

Hm I don't like new builds..... Doesn't sound like the additional work will be that much? Do you have a link to it?

Go for the one that needs work- it all sounds pretty doable. You often end up doing loads on 'move straight in' houses anyway in my experience so you may as well go for the one with more space and potential!

2 kids, one on the way, and a husband who works away?

You have probably got several years of disruption, dust, mess and intermittent heating and plumbing ahead of you if you take on a renovation that you're living in.

I'm told some people thrive on stress.

These are the 2 that are our favourites.

One that needs no work www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-30614212.html/nomsite

The one that needs work www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-28965931.html/nomsite

I don't think there is that much work really. The original house is fine to move straight into and the work in the extension isn't desperate.

Get some estimates for the work and ask how long it would take. Heating off in the winter no fun. However, it would take 3 months to go through probably, so hopefully, by then, the weather will have improved. However, it depends on you. You say that your DH doesn't want you to be stressed, which is considerate of him. However, just how stressed would you be - depends on your own personality?

I don't think I'd be anymore stressed out than if we moved into a house with no work.

You will be getting so much more space in the house that needs work. It'll suit your family for many years. Once DCs are teenagers, extra living space is invaluable ime.

It looks as though it is only the extension that is incomplete and so you could tackle it when you are ready. Also, as you say, it has first fixings and is plastered so it is almost done. Obviously you'll have to factor in some expenditure and hassle.

The other house looks so small in comparison.

That is how I see it too. It doesn't need the work urgently so could be done over a period of time. The only thing I would like to do straight away is put in the WC downstairs but that wouldn't take much doing.

It doesn,t look a lot of work. But I prefer the 30s house it is a lot prettier and has more character

Noddy, that is something that we don't like about the one that needs work. It doesn't have any character. The house we have now was built before 1850 and has wonky walls and quirky little bits.

The bigger house is practical though! The older one has room to extend atbthe side etc down the road. You could also re arrange the ground floor for better space. They are both bargains

The pretty 30s is much nicer. Can be altered/extended in the future and whilst the ex-LA but doesn't put you off it will others in the future if or when you chose to move?

What about school catchments? Walking via. Driving to school etc.

Did mean to add that both are bargainious however ;-)

Gomez, both houses are closer to school than where we are now. I don't drive and its about a mile from our house. Probably about half that from the one that needs work and about 10 minutes from the 30's.

I do worry about the price of the ex council house. I have a few friends on that road in the same houses but without the extension. They are large houses with amazing gardens. I think it is quite cheap. I wonder if it is because it needs to be finished or its ex council and surrounded by council houses or if there is something up with it when the survey is done.

I'm sorry but that ex council house is grim, I'd go for the 3 bed any day of the week

Have to agree....i think the council one is so so ugly, and the inside does nothing more me, despite the size. I'd go for the 30s one with a view to extending in the future when kids need more space etc....you could add on the side and back.

I think the 30s semi has beautiful garden and much more character. The living room opening out onto garden will be bliss as a family in summer.

If needs be you could extend in the future and delay the building works until you have no nappies / babies to deal with and hubby may be around...