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Original poster

Which house do we go for?

55 replies

WinkyWinkola · 04/05/2013 13:37

House A is affordable, can move in straightaway, nice village neighbourhood, good schools, large manicured garden. 5 beds but one is tiny. We could extend a bit to make the kitchen and said bedroom bigger.

It's a house that is at its peak, so to speak. Nothing we could do to add value. It's a nice house. I like it. We could be happy there although we would probably grow out of it in 7-10 years as our 4 children reach teens.

House B costs £120k more.

It's 1/2 a mile away from House A and is more rural but on a road that cars zoom down. It's a farmhouse that has had some work done on it but the owners have run out of cash and so haven't finished it off.

It is 800 sq feet bigger, 5 beds too although one bed and one reception room is on the side of the house that hasn't been attended to for 40 years (!), is a bit tatty in general, sits on an acre plot, huge rough garden and we'd be totally strapped for a cash for at least three years to even buy it.

We could just afford it but then couldn't afford professional work done on it, no holidays, tight budget, no new car etc for this minimum time of 3+ years and after that it would be one or the other e.g. holiday or rebuild the dreadfully shabby side of the house, demolish the derelict garage for a new one, get new fences done.

But I think House B has fantastic potential. I don't know if we'd make ££££s on it but it could be the most amazing family home for us over the next few even ten years. We could do the work on planning and developing the garden ourselves.

We wouldn't need to move again but it would be a good few years of hard (and I mean hard!) budgeting.

Is it worth it?

Our children will only be children once (eldest is 8, current youngest is 10 months, would like another baby) and would they notice i). smaller house but holidays abroad more often or ii). serious budgeting and therefore not having great holidays but having a fantastic garden to roam in etc.

I don't know what to do. I really really like both houses for their qualities. Our current house isn't sold yet so in a way, I'm hoping that someone else will come along and buy one to make the decision for us!

What would you do? Or do you have any advice to give, please?

OP posts:
georgedawes · 04/05/2013 19:31

Yes post links!

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 04/05/2013 19:53

Okay.

House A

House B

OP posts:
georgedawes · 04/05/2013 19:56

A doesn't work

B looks nice, would love to have your budget!

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 04/05/2013 19:59

House A

OP posts:
Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 04/05/2013 20:00

The right side of B is in really bad shape. It's only one storey though. Plus the garage is dreadful and the "workshop" in the garden is like a breeze block bunker which would have to be removed.

OP posts:
KatyDid02 · 04/05/2013 20:01

A because I would not accept a house on a busy road like house B.

georgedawes · 04/05/2013 20:03

I'd say a too. I think your kids will like being in the village.

Queenmarigold · 04/05/2013 20:05

A. You don't have time or money to sort B out

MisForMumNotMaid · 04/05/2013 20:10

A

We live rurally. It can be quite isolating. With no footpaths everything is a drive. Even for neighbours to pop in for a drink, someone drives. The kids can't hop on their bikes and ride down with you to the village shop, you can't all go out on a stroll together (if its a busy/fast stretch of road), if one child goes visiting friends you've got to get all the others in the car to fetch them. If you live in a village the time will come when you can let them make their own way home/ over to friends houses and likewise friends can get over to yours.

ohbuggerhelp · 04/05/2013 20:11

Truthfully? I don't like either. A is a boring, soulless box that is actually quite small and B is also soulless but a mess.

Buy this www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-26781591.html instead. Far better.

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 04/05/2013 20:15

ohbugger, I love that property you linked but both dh and I are 6ft+ and we would feel the ceiling was touching our heads.

OP posts:
CarlaBruni · 04/05/2013 20:17

Oh, I was expecting B to be a wreck. Can't see that it needs anything doing to it. For me, it'd boil down to how easily I could sleep at night worrying about money.

Timetoask · 04/05/2013 20:21

House A without a doubt!
I would hate to live near a road with cars zooming by.

Goldchilled7up · 04/05/2013 20:24

Definitely A

samuelwhiskers · 04/05/2013 20:25

House A and the one posted above is in the village and sounds a better location for children tbh.

whosiwhatsit · 04/05/2013 20:26

I agree with ohbugger but we are all different. If you like A go for it, but it sounds like you're trying to convince yourself. B is out of your price range really because you can't afford repairs and have no contingency plan in case anything unexpected comes up after you've bought it.

ChewingOnLifesGristle · 04/05/2013 20:29

I prefer B by quite a lot. I can see it's potential too. As it needs quite a bit of money spent on it, could you use that as leverage to negotiate the price down? I'm not sure of the market in your area but it seems a lot of money if it's in bad shape atm.

Rosesandlemons · 04/05/2013 20:33

B. it's all very well having the potential to have a home straight out of country living. But if you can't afford to get it nice you are going to resent living there over time. I really love a period property, but would much rather have money on the bank and the knowledge that I can do nice things. The novelty of loving in a big house will soon wear off. You are responsible for giving your children the best childhood you can. They won't appreciate house b of you can't afford holidays, dinner and days out, are tired and grumpy and stressed. Live your life!

TheChaoGoesMu · 04/05/2013 20:44

I don't think I like either all that much. B is slightly nicer than A, but I wouldn't choose either of them.

whosiwhatsit · 04/05/2013 20:56

Would you be worried about crime in house B being so close to a main road but with no neighbours about? I would but not sure if that's irrational or not.

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 04/05/2013 20:59

Great food for thought. Thank you.

OP posts:
SquinkiesRule · 04/05/2013 21:20

I think I prefer A, nothing to do but move in and extend that bedroom and kitchen when you feel you need to.
I don't see how you will run out of space when the kids are teens with 5 bedrooms, how much space do you think they need?
Mine teen boys shared a 11x12 bedroom till they left home. Everyone was fine.

bran · 04/05/2013 21:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NorthernLurker · 04/05/2013 21:29

I think the garden for A is lovely. Gardens are a LOT of work. Ours is rather small and still eats hours.

HansieMom · 04/05/2013 22:30

I see why you like B. I like the light and the big kitchen. BUT I would still buy A, as it is safe, completed, and close to things you and your family will love. I see it is ten years old. That is when, in my experience, appliances start failing. Just a caveat. Not all bad, you can choose what you want.