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Original poster

Big house or better location

65 replies

unikorn · 05/07/2017 18:54

Just that!
Both are £700k.

House a) 4 bed, detached, 3 reception rooms, 2 baths plus downstairs cloakroom on a leafy residential road but backs onto a flyover/A road (traffic noise is minimal surprisingly), 4 miles to work and school, medium garden, garage plus driveway

House b) 3 bed, semi, 1 reception room, 2 baths plus downstairs cloakroom, residential road, very "upmarket" location, 1 mile to work and school, long but narrow garden, driveway.

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 05/07/2017 20:09

Hmm. If house B) is all maxed out in terms of potential to extend, and still only has 1 reception room, then I would not buy it as in the future as the DC grow you will want more space.

House A) you need to take a viewing at a rush-hour sort of time. We live on a moderately busy road and I'm used to it, no massive big deal. The A-road doesn't sound terrifically close to me for that house, if you're separated by gardens, so I'd probably be fine with it. But lots wouldn't, as evidenced by this thread.

Mum2jenny · 05/07/2017 20:17

I'd go house B, 4 miles is an ok commute.

PacificDogwod · 05/07/2017 20:19

How long are you intending to live there?
Is this a 'forever' house?
Or an investment?
How important is it to you to be able to sell easily enough again?

All points to consider.
Although i think you kind of want House A Grin

TroubleinDaFamily · 05/07/2017 20:22

B

MrsApplepants · 05/07/2017 22:23

Neither. Both too much of a compromise. Keep looking

Original poster
unikorn · 06/07/2017 06:30

We'd probably be in the house about 10 years. Our budget is only 700k so there's not much else. We've scoured 200+ houses on zoopla, looked at over 20. I'm sick of it all. We did have an offer accepted on a previous house (even further than A) but searches flagged up some issues so we pulled out. Our buyers are hoping to complete in 5 weeks so we have to get going. Dp revisited both last night, so different times to the first visits. He couldn't find anywhere to park at B and seems it's used as a commuter road. House A he preferred.

OP posts:
SuperBeagle · 06/07/2017 06:44

I'd choose location every time.

Plus 3 reception rooms is insanely unnecessary.

Cantseethewoods · 06/07/2017 06:53

A thought I had yesterday- when electric cars are the norm, houses near roads will get a value bump because the noise/ pollution discount wont be an issue anymore.

SuperBeagle · 06/07/2017 06:55

Cant I wouldn't be taking a 700k bet on that chance.

We're years off electric cars becoming "the norm". Decades, even.

CJCreggsGoldfish · 06/07/2017 06:59

We chose location and don't regret it for a second. We could have had a four bed detached with garage and drive, but opted for a three bed end terraced with on street parking. The house is still lovely, but the area is excellent and has made a big difference to our lifestyle.

It does sound as though you want A though. Just because an area is upmarket, it doesn't necessarily mean it's the area for you. If you know you'd love living there go for B, but if not than A.

RandomUsernameHere · 06/07/2017 06:59

House B

Location is more important than size IMO.

TheNumberfaker · 06/07/2017 07:03

Location every time. A house in a better location will increase in value so much more than in a less desirable location. And be more desirable when you come to sell.
If you're including it in your choices then you must think it's an acceptable option.

TheNumberfaker · 06/07/2017 07:03

So that's house b.

frenchfancy · 06/07/2017 07:09

House B - When the DCs are older they will be able to walk themselves to school.

OhTheRoses · 06/07/2017 07:13

Sell and rent. House prices are on a downward shift and I'm guessing you are London outskirts. Rent for a while. Neither houses sound right for you.

Have you thought laterally - huge maisonette with garden.

How long has house A been on the market? Have you thought about offering £600 which may help you cut your losses in the future.

BTW we are tucked away, about a five minute walk from the A road leading to the bypass. I can hear a faint hum of morning traffic with the bedroom window open on a summer morning.

Confusedandintrigued · 06/07/2017 07:13

Location!!!

Original poster
unikorn · 06/07/2017 07:18

House A has been on since march, house B since April.

OP posts:
metalmum15 · 06/07/2017 07:49

House A sounds better in that it is detached (personally I would never buy another semi) and has more space. You will be glad of this as the children get older. I live near a major A road and you can hear traffic noise although it's muted by trees, it depends how much it bothers you. The distance to school would be a pain though, you're going to have to be prepared to do a lot of travelling.

I was put off House B straight away when you said dh couldn't find anywhere to park. Parking problems are an absolute nightmare and you may end up regretting that decision.

Is there definitely no other choice, if your budget is £700 surely you've got a lot of leeway?

metalmum15 · 06/07/2017 07:49

House A sounds better in that it is detached (personally I would never buy another semi) and has more space. You will be glad of this as the children get older. I live near a major A road and you can hear traffic noise although it's muted by trees, it depends how much it bothers you. The distance to school would be a pain though, you're going to have to be prepared to do a lot of travelling.

I was put off House B straight away when you said dh couldn't find anywhere to park. Parking problems are an absolute nightmare and you may end up regretting that decision.

Is there definitely no other choice, if your budget is £700 surely you've got a lot of leeway?

metalmum15 · 06/07/2017 07:49

Sorry, £700K obviously! ! With £700 you'll be buying a shed Grin

metalmum15 · 06/07/2017 07:49

Sorry, £700K obviously! ! With £700 you'll be buying a shed Grin

Neutrogena · 06/07/2017 07:50

@sodablackcurrant You know what they say, small house on best road = better than biggest house on bad road

That's true for house price inflation.
However, for happiness levels, you want to be richer than those around you, so living in the best house on a poorish road will be better than the worst house on a richish road.

Read This

HipsterHunter · 06/07/2017 08:32

Sell and rent. House prices are on a downward shift and I'm guessing you are London outskirts. Rent for a while. Neither houses sound right for you.

^This

DO NOT LOOSE YOUR SALE - move in to rented to be able to progress, then you'll be nicely chain free and in a better position to buy. Things are risky in London at the moment.

But I MUCH prefer the sound of the larger house - it will be much easier to live there as long as you have a plan for the school run 2x a day (is there a bus route for when they are older?) and the traffic/pollution isn't too bad.

HipsterHunter · 06/07/2017 08:36

House A is the kind of house you will be able to have your children's friends over and not feel cramped.

I don't think 3 reception rooms is 'too much' - I'd set it up as nice living room, children's play room becoming hangout when older and use the third as a big dining room if there isn't room for a huge table in the kitchen, or a study/music room if you can fit a table for 8+ in the kitchen.

GaryGilmoresEyes · 06/07/2017 08:38

I'd go for A. Having lived by the North Circular and M11 flyover, it's surprising how much you don't hear the traffic. It's detached which is always a plus.
B would be good for future MN parking thread's though. Wink

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