Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Fallen in love with a house. Would we be stupid to buy it?

113 replies

AngryFeet · 23/03/2013 17:23

DH and I have fallen head over heels with a house. It is 5 miles away from where we wanted to buy but is still a good location with good schools. But it is £5k over our budget. We could borrow off family and pay this £5k back with DHs bonus at the end of the year as long as we are careful with our spending but we have a good amount to live on to be honest we just wouldn't be able to go on holiday or do any house renovations for a year. The house is very nicely done and so I doubt we would need to spend money for a while but you never know. The mortgage payments are still less than a third of our income so we are not going crazy.

I don't know what to do! I don't want to make a hasty decision based on my heart and gut feeling and make a mistake. We have offered at £5k under the asking price but they aren't budging. We have said that it is all we can afford and to get back to us if they change their minds but I really don't want to lose this house. It is beautiful and has 50% more space than we can get around where we were first looking with our budget.

ARRGGGGHHH! Help!

OP posts:
QuintEggSensuality · 26/03/2013 19:20

The Biggin Hill one looks like it has been airlifted out of Spain! Despite being modern, I quite like it. But the view gives me vertigo! Confused

WhispersOfWickedness · 26/03/2013 19:20

I prefer house one Smile I like unconventional floor plans though, house two seems a bit dull and small compared! I know nothing about the areas though.

BehindLockNumberNine · 26/03/2013 19:24

I love the second one. I think the first one is hideous and that may be the reason it has been on the market for over a year - it is probably not to too many people's taste....?

Whereas the second one has some character, you could eventually do a loft conversion, or an extension, or add a conservatory for extra space at a lower cost.

But I love the second one, it looks homely, cosy and will probably get snapped up so if you like it move quickly...

Prawntoast · 26/03/2013 19:27

prefer the 2nd one externally, but the 1st one internally, there is a price difference but also quite a size difference, what's the price per sq ft for each property? That will give you a better measure of relative value.

lalalonglegs · 26/03/2013 19:30

I much prefer the second one, I think it could be great with a bit of money spent on it. I don't know which is the nicer area though, that would make a big difference to me.

CheeseStrawWars · 26/03/2013 19:35

Garden in the first one looks v child-unfriendly. And it would be very overlooked by the neighbours, judging on the pics.

Second one for me.

scarlettsmummy2 · 26/03/2013 19:41

I would

Original poster
AngryFeet · 26/03/2013 19:47

£211 per square foot for the first one, £291 for the second. The second one is technically more desirable as better transport (2 stations nearby, no rail link for first). First has better bus service though and is nearer shops, more sense of community there. But it is a town kind of in the middle of nowhere. Only a few miles to the next town though (about 8).

OP posts:
Tobermory · 26/03/2013 19:47

I think the second one has much more kerb appeal.
The first one I just think quite strange. I didn't look at floor plans, how would 3 floors work for you and your family?

Original poster
AngryFeet · 26/03/2013 19:47

Why do you say that about the roof Quint?

OP posts:
Original poster
AngryFeet · 26/03/2013 19:52

Not bothered by 3 floors to be honest. I really love it and it works for me for some reason.

OP posts:
WynkenBlynkenandNod · 26/03/2013 19:56

2nd one for me as I personally wouldn't want the kitchen on a different floor. The fact it has been on the market for a year would worry me about selling in the future.

samuelwhiskers · 26/03/2013 19:58

Prefer no 2, especially if better location. No 1 looks great inside but really not sure about those arches, wonder if it will affect re-sale.

Original poster
AngryFeet · 26/03/2013 20:06

If we wanted to extend house number 2 it would be pretty costly to be honest. Probably about £70k if we did a 2 storey in the side return which we would need to make the box room a good size and to make a big kitchen diner (near London so prices are not so cheap).

OP posts:
Original poster
AngryFeet · 26/03/2013 20:07

The kitchen is big enough for a good size table though so not too bothered on a daily basis about carrying food up and down. I would use the dining bit downstairs as a play area I think.

OP posts:
Tobermory · 26/03/2013 20:09

Angry you obviously love house number 1 a lot and are defending it to the hilt. Perfectly understandably btw.

Maybe this thread reinforces how much you DO want house number 1!
If you think you'd regret it, and it sounds like you might, then I think you have to bite the bullet and up your offer.

NorthernLurker · 26/03/2013 20:11

The second one is much smaller really isn't it? But better location. I wouldn't buy either tbh. I think the pace of the market is causing you to panic and try to buy houses which aren't the right size or condition or price.

Original poster
AngryFeet · 26/03/2013 20:14

Maybe Northern but we are slightly time limited as the rental we are in is up for sale! Yes I do love it so much Toby. I just wish I could move it a few miles nearer to here! If I could just get over myself and move the kids to a school near there it would be perfect. DS would be fine as he is in year 1 and is being bullied :( DD however would be so sad :( Secondary is great so once they are both there it is not an issue.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 26/03/2013 20:20

It all depends on how sorry you will be if you find out that somebody else has bought the house. If it's really good value for money and you are sure the location is suitable then you should go for it if the £5,000 is the only thing holding you back.

bonzoed · 26/03/2013 20:23

I know the area well and am wondering if you went for option 1, how easy would the school commute be in the snow - presumably you'd be traveling cross-country in a fairly hilly area?

Original poster
AngryFeet · 26/03/2013 20:26

Yes the snow would be a bastard bonzoed. We have snow tyres but with the hills not sure how good they would be. How many days on average do they get snow though? Wish there was a way to find out!

OP posts:
Original poster
AngryFeet · 26/03/2013 20:27

What would you say about the area? I know it fairly well and have friends there who love it but I don't know it really really well.

OP posts:
QuintEggSensuality · 26/03/2013 20:28

Look closely at the picture where the roof is visible, and all the ivy settling on the roof tiles. I think you need to investigate this.

I would definitely go for nr 2, but be prepared to make some repairs. And if you are going to extend into the loft, the roof could be done then?

melodyangel · 26/03/2013 20:28

House no. 2. It looks like you could do so much more with it over time.

blueraincoat · 26/03/2013 20:35

I would go with house number 2 definitely, looks more established is the only way I can put it, I think. (Sorry but really not impressed with first one, don't like that faux Tuscany thing the back has got going on). I know Warlingham very well and Biggin Hill a bit. Would definitely go for Warlingham, some lovely walks close by and the big secondary school is pretty good. Sorry if you know all this.