Me and DH are trying to decide between two properties to buy...both are in the same village, both 3 bed semis and similar price.
House 1- needs doing up, new kitchen, new bathroom, decorating throughout, more potential to extend. Slightly larger with separate hallway and has a garage. Looks nicer too. However it's on the edge of the village and so quite a trek to the local primary school in the village, quite far to walk to the park (DD currently 7 months old) and to the fields to walk the dog. 3rd bedroom is a tiny box room.
House 2- smaller as the hall opens onto the through lounge. New kitchen though so would just need a new kitchen. It was completely done up a couple of years ago but currently has tenants in who have turned it into a dump. The owner has said he'll repoint and put new carpets in if we bought. Black mould issue in one of the bedrooms (I'm guessing due to condensation/bad ventilation). No garage. However the bedrooms are more evenly sized so box room is more suitable as a bedroom. It also has the loft converted as a study/playroom which would be handy. It's in a much better location in the village, just around the corner from the park and fields and closer to the primary school.
I think I prefer house 2 although it just doesn't look anywhere near as nice from the outside and not on as nice a road (but perfectly fine)! We're downsizing to reduce mortgage from a large 4 bed detached so I think part of my reservations are what people will think (stupid I know) of house 2 whereas I wouldn't have this concern as much with house 1. Which would you choose as a family home, probably looking to stay for up to 10 years...
House 2- smaller