What would you buy dilemma.

[TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii]

Right, I'm baffled.

Looking at 2 houses on the market with 2k between them price wise. Both are dated and need some (minor) building work to make them as good as they can be iyswim.

One is 3 bed with a garage in a desirable location the other is 4 bed with no off road parking on an ex-council estate.

My heart loves the ex-council because it has a huge garden and beautiful views, and although it needs some work it's easy to see how you would do it. It is generally a nicer house, with character and original features.

But the 3 bed feels like a safer bet. Living costs would definately be lower and the neighbourhood is in much better condition.

But the spaaaace.

What would you do?

How many children do you have and are you planning any more? Do either of you commute by car? How much do you enjoy gardening?

We have 2, I want 4 - but I don't that we will actually have more.

If we had DC sharing I would be okay with giving up the biggest bedroom and DH and I having a smaller double so they had more space/it could be divided if necessary, or doing a loft conversion. Which is possible in both houses.

You'd have to convert the garage to extra living space in the 3bed if we had 4 DC though.

I would go for the 3 bedder in the better location. You can't change the location but you can change the house (maybe?) so later on if you do have more dc's you can do an extension, or a loft thingy.

Can you show us the houses?

I don't really want to post where I live sorry!

Future extension is always an option.

I think the 3 bed is probably better, as you only need use 3, and if you have 4 beds and no garage or attic the 4th room will become your dumping ground, so nicer to have 3 nice bedrooms and a dumping ground area that is not in the main part of the house.

I would always choose the option with off-road parking. Always. Parking has been such a PITA in some places I've lived, to me that would be a dealbreaker.

Phil and Kirstie would say... location, Location, Location. I'd have to agree with them, especially in a volatile market like now.

I'd agree with the others and go for the better neighbourhood. But how does that all fit in with schools, work, etc?

I'd go for the one with the garage.

Gah! You are being practical.

The 3bed is within walking distance of DH's work and I'll be self employed when I go back to work, so that's fine and it's very close to a primary school. (but not on the same street) The next closest school is about a mile away I would say. All the schools in the area are good so it's not a big worry if the DC just go to whichever is closest.

The 4bed is a bit closer to town, I'm sure we could ditch the buggy earlier if we lived there but that's no big thing I suppose.

It really helps hearing your thoughts and am feeling a bit more positive about 3bed think I will arrange for a 2nd look, thanks for the feedback!

Hi, I once lived on an ex council estate. Really quiet. However, there was always a bit of a 'stigma' attached to living there. Can definitely be more difficult to sell.

Now, I think I'd pay more attention to location/reputation.

Another vote for the 3 bed! You will be able to add value if you built up and out in the future, and IME the 4th bed of the other house will turn into the garage of the 3 bed.

Location is always important.

Better location wins for me

I'm going to disagree with everyone else as a huge garden and pretty views would sway me. But then I have a history of buying in the wrong location and regretting it, so don't listen to me