Need help deciding between 2 houses. Sorry for the long post. But we are really struggling so I've put as much detail as possible. We've been saving for a long time to be able to afford a large family home and are sellingour current two bed. (Sale agreed) Opinions would be HUGELY appreciated!
We have a 9 month old and are planning at least one, if not two more (if we are lucky)
house A is in a town by the river where we live now. We love living here and have lots of friends in walking distance. It has great town centre in walking distance, the river and nice walks are 200m away, train station is 5 mins walk with a quick 30min train to Central London (where hubby works)
House is good size with a large garden and a garage. 4 double bedrooms (3 large, 1 small double) all bedrooms have sloping roofs = less practical to furnish. They are also not on the same floor (does that matter? Easier to be on same floor as the kids?) two bathrooms but one is on the ground floor.
it Has limited storage throughout, as the loft has been converted. Needs new floors and painting throughout. Also at least 1 new bathroom. The kitchen is an ok size but it also needs replacing.
We could live with it for now, but to get the house to be how we'd really like it, and to add the storage space we need, we'd need to extend (definitely possible, but obviously costly) Hence we are debating the point of putting in a new kitchen now or waiting until we can afford the extension (means living with a rubbish kitchen for a few years) It's on a busy through road with lots of cars going past all day, not at night.
The area is rocketing in value due to the transport links. We could make a lot of money, IF we decided to one day sell, but we need to spend to do so. It's a period property so has feature fireplaces etc. But the neighbours on one side are 'horders' their house is a TIP. The back garden has old cars in it! But apparently they've been there 30+ years, The seller has been there 20+ years and never had any issues with them.
House B is in a small town also on the river (but the house is further away from it, so it would be a 20min walk plus the path on that stretch is not buggy friendly anyway)
It's short walk to the small historic town centre which is sweet, but nothing like town A. We don't know anyone living locally but then again it's not very far from where we currently live- would just need to drive to see people instead of walking.
Station is 5 min walk away and train is just over 1 hour to Central London, or 45mins with a change. For my husband it means his commute becomes really bad. 2 trains & then the tube taking 1hr25mins. Vs house A- 1train & then the tube taking 1hr. My commute would also be extra 15mins (1hour 10 vs 55ins) but as it's driving it's not such a hassle.
The house itself is the DREAM, large, fantastic layout and space. Large garden. It could be our home forever or at least the long term. 4 large doubles & 1 ok sized single. All bedrooms are on same floor with two bathrooms, plus downstairs cloakroom. Needs renovating, with new floors and painting throughout but the rooms are huge and lovely.
Is on a very quiet cul de sac., with hardly any traffic. We've never seen such a great house within our budget. It's cheaper than house A. We can take a lower Mortgage to get it.
The house was built in 50's so the street itself & house design is less attractive. We believe the ceiling price of the house is therefore almost reached once we invest in renovating inside. The area is going up in value but not as fast as area A.
As this is the largest on the street, we are aware that the much lower value of the other houses will keep this one in check.
Schools- how much of a consideration at this time? Who knows what the primary schools will be like by the time our daughter is old enough in 2021, or the secondary schools by 2025??)
Primary Schools in both areas are the same (at the moment)
Area A has ok secondary schools but would need to go outward to get a really good one. Area B has an outstanding secondary school at the end of the road - it's one of the reasons people move to that town. But it's heavily over subscribed and very catholic (we are not) so chances of getting in are slim anyway I think. Apart from that one secondary schools are ok.
PHEW! It's so hard. Please help!