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Original poster

Which would you buy?

28 replies

Thelovelywhales · 27/09/2015 10:36

We are torn between two houses...

House 1
Edwardian semi
Huge house, six double bedrooms, really large rooms, huge bathroom, lots of storage, potential to convert big basement in the future. Bit of tlc needed and needs new kitchen but loads of original features, beautiful house.
But on a busy road, and has a very small garden. Off street parking but at back of house accessed by a back street, hence small garden (as half is used as driveway). Small chance of converting front garden to drive and getting a bigger garden, but would need to convince council as in conservation area...

House 2
Victorian semi, 5 medium/small bedrooms, small bathroom. Lovely original features but completely renovated - very nicely done though not really our style (as in laminate floor, high gloss kitchen which are nice but not what we would choose). Lovely garden, much bigger than house 1, big dining kitchen, and on a quiet road. Converted loft so not much storage but cleverly designed. Driveway at front. Slightly closely to school and train station (10 min walk vs 15 min). £50k to £75k more expensive than house 1 but much more practical, no work needed

We have two dcs, might like another one. Have big wider family that stay over a lot. Like to entertain.

Which would you choose?

OP posts:
MrsLeighHalfpenny · 27/09/2015 10:40

Depends on how much you'd use the garden. I'd go for house 2 as we use ours a lot.
Does house 1 have a park nearby where DCs could go without you?

Original poster
Thelovelywhales · 27/09/2015 10:42

Yes it's 5 min walk to a huge park. Is when dcs are bigger definitely, they are both under 3 now so not for a while.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 27/09/2015 10:46

How busy is the busy road?

Can you afford the HUGE heating bills that will come with property 1?

Original poster
Thelovelywhales · 27/09/2015 10:50

It's busy, main road into town, 30m an hour. Not noisy in the house due to secondary glazing, and garden not actually too noisy as house is very tall and buffers it. Yes have budgeted for the massive heating bills, but definitely a consideration. We would spend some money on improving insulation etc to get those down too.

OP posts:
Neddyteddy · 27/09/2015 11:03

You can easily change the kitchen fronts and lino but that's what you're paying for if you buy number 2

Living on a busy main road means noise and air pollution. Is it a busy road in London? Or a less busy road in a small green town?

Lastly two or three small children and a massive DIY project are not a good mix unless you can rent elsewhere and employ builders. However, if it's just a Repaint, new fireplace and a new bathroom rather then damproofing/knocking walls down, it's doable.

Neddyteddy · 27/09/2015 11:04

Can you see them both a second time. Follow your gut

RandomMess · 27/09/2015 11:26

The busy road, small garden, no parking at front are all things that you can't do much about tbh - you need to decide whether those are things you don't mind or eventually will grate on you and regret buying it for.

We only had a small paved garden when dc were small and it was fine as once they want to play footie etc. they needed to be at the park anyway.

Living on a busy 30 mph road does get on your nerves, if it queues up you live with people looking into your front windows...

Original poster
Thelovelywhales · 27/09/2015 11:43

Thank you everyone. It's actually the garden more than the road that I am worrying about wit house 1. Its set back a bit and slightly raised so the cars are not actually that close.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 27/09/2015 11:48

How big is the back garden then?

AgathaF · 27/09/2015 11:51

I'd go for the one with the bigger garden as you have children.

MaynJune · 27/09/2015 12:18

Would there be anywhere for visitors to park at the first house? Might seem unimportant but can be a real problem, especially as you're going to have friends and family to visit a lot.

A busy main road would bother me, and I'd be worried about the children.

cittigirl · 27/09/2015 12:23

From your description I'd go for house 1. I prefer Edwardian too

specialsubject · 27/09/2015 12:46
  1. 1 has lots of 'buts' that you can't change.

still plenty of bedrooms in 2, and you don't buy a house as a hotel unless you are running one. Situations can change.

you don't need huge amounts of storage. You need less stuff - like all of us.

anothernumberone · 27/09/2015 12:49

House 2 for me based on location and garden although house 1 sounds more like mine Smile so that is hypocrisy from me.

Roseandbee · 27/09/2015 13:45

I think with a a young family practicality has to be a big factor. Also it depends on how much renovating experience you have. Taking on even a small house that needs work can be quite a shock to the system. Having done it once I kinda ruled out taking on too much work, decorative is fine but I worry about all the hidden problems in older houses that haven't been looked after.
Personally I'd rule out any house on a busy road, but I'm semi rural, it'd bother me less in a town as its part & parcel.
If you mean by very small it's more of a yard then a garden, then that would rule it out for me also. But I don't mind a small garden if its private but then that's just for me, I suppose with kids is want to have space for them to play.
Finally not a big fan of big bedrooms as they are so hard to heat

Hufflepuffin · 27/09/2015 13:49

Could you ring the planning dept and get advice on whether the front garden on house one is likely to get permission to be a driveway? I think your heart prefers house one (from the description).

Original poster
Thelovelywhales · 27/09/2015 13:53

Garden is 40ftt by 30ft of lawn, plus a small area of patio for table/chairs. Not London.
There is parking in the back street behind the house so there would be somewhere for visitors.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thelovelywhales · 27/09/2015 13:57

And yes huffle, we did fall in love a bit with house 1, hence trying to think how we would work round the practical issues! But house 2 is much more sensible.
Have spoken to the council but they have been fairly non commital. We would need to do a full planning application. Every chance they would say no. The garden is small but private.
Thanks everyone - some things I hadn't thought of. Will add to my list and go and see them both again.....

OP posts:
roses2 · 27/09/2015 15:50

Are you willing to post rightmove links so we can see the houses to compare?

roses2 · 27/09/2015 15:52

It sounds as though you would redecorate both houses as some point since you are not keen of the decor in house 2.

I'd go for the bigger house, ie house 1. Especially since house 2 is £50-75k more. Save the money to do up house 1.

Pipbin · 27/09/2015 15:54

Are you willing to post rightmove links so we can see the houses to compare?

I believe that posting the Rightmove link when asking to compare houses is actually the law round here. Just like posting on new puppy/kitten threads requires a picture.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 27/09/2015 16:19

40ftx30ft sounds ok for a garden, not huge but big enough for kids to play out.

Have other houses got a drive at the front? Phil Spencer always says if other houses have got X done then the chances of you getting planning permission are good.

ivykaty44 · 27/09/2015 16:23

House two due to station location

MaynJune · 27/09/2015 16:28

House no. 2 sounds more practical for now, and no.1 in ten years' time when your family are teenagers.

On the other hand, if you love no.1....

Get on with the second visit.

Roseandbee · 27/09/2015 16:44

Hmm well the garden sounds an ok size to me. I presumed because u were trying to move the parking it was tiny. Are you maybe used to a bigger garden & think it's a bigger issue than it is? A smaller garden has the benefit that it's less maintenance, u just want a bit of space to kick a ball around or have a play area, doesn't need to be a football pitch. Or do u think u need more parking? It does sound a bit head, heart so get a second viewing n try n see if 1 can work from a practical point of view or if you can find a way to love no. 2. N maybe if u think no. 1 isn't in the best condition bring a builder of someone who can provide a second opinion