Another would you buy this house?

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www.fiuran.co.uk/properties/dalmore-2-riverside-road-kilmore-pa34-4zd/
Given that this one next door sold last year for £20 000 less?
www.fiuran.co.uk/properties/4-riverside-road-kilmore-pa34-4zd/
I queried the difference in price with the estate agent and she said it was because no. 2 had been finished to a much higher standard…... £20 000 is a lot of money for some oak facings.

I need to move to be closer to my elderly father. I’m hoping this will be the last house move I make i.e. I would like a property that will be suitable for me when I am older. I will need space for a home office for the next decade or so. I would prefer a property that is low maintenance and economical to run. I definitely don’t have the time or inclination for a fixer-upper. So, this property is ticking a lot of boxes but I don’t like the vaulted ceiling. It seems like dead space that will waste heating energy. Spiders are going to populate the crevices between the panelling and in particular the corners of the velux windows and then rain spider poo down on your head. How do you dust and get rid of cobwebs? I don’t like all the spotlights, how on earth do they change the ones in the living room? The main entrance is also the utility room. There is no sink in the utility room. The garden is tiny but that may not be a problem as I get older. So far from perfect but there is very little choice in the area. What do you think?

There is quite a stark difference in finish between the two houses. The cheaper one looks much more basic in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as the much nicer oak internal doors and the general airier feel.

The more expensive one does feel a bit like a holiday home though and both look tiddly.

i like the first one, the second doesn't seem to have the mezzanine/bigh ceiling. it looks boxy in comparison. plus the floors and kitchen look much better. (or maybe the photos are better?)

Plus, the layouts are totally different. They are completely different houses.

More expensive house floor plan

Cheaper house floor plan

I like it but I'd take the antlers down.

I like it and think it looks much higher spec than the one that sold last year - the floor coverings and the bathrooms are done to a higher standard so it's not just the skirting boards and architraves.

If it was recently built, the spots are probably complete led units and last years. When they go, you'd get an electrician to replace the whole units. They're not that expensive either. As for cleaning - get an extendable duster. I use one for our vaulted ceiling. No cobwebs and no spiders. You could perhaps have a flat ceiling installed with a hatch in part of it (it would ruin the design though and would make the main living space dingy) and use it for storage if it were built to take some weight. Again, in a modern house I would expect the ceiling to be well-insulated so you won't lose heat through it.

20k sounds about right to be fair.
It's more than just some oak facings too, people who have paid for higher quality finishes tend to do so all over the house, so everything is likely to last a lot longer, carpets a thicker pile, decent kitchen appliances etc.
Having lived in places that looked nice but had been done cheaply, the constant maintenance adds up quickly.

Have had a vaulted ceiling before too. I didn't notice a huge change in heating cost or anything, but it was a more modern house than the previous so likely more insulated. It was a bit annoying to clean/dust but not as bad as I'd psyched myself up for.

I'd go for it. At first I didn't really like it (the style of the exterior think?) but the quality of finish started to change my mind, then I saw the last pic of the location next to the price and have been thoroughly swayed!

Don't buy it if you don't like it. It sounds to me as though it's the sensible option, but you don't want to pay £20k more than was paid for next door because you don't really like it. The wooden ceiling cladding could be painted and that would give the living room a completely different feel btw.

The first house is much nicer. The vaulted ceiling is a feature that most buyers would consider desirable. The nicely fitted bathrooms are probably worth about £20k in themselves. Go for it!

I think I prefer the cheaper house layout tbh. I do like vaulted ceilings thoug as they can give some character. The bedrooms do seem small in the more expensive house, but then again the cheaper one might have the same sized bedrooms but without furniture its difficult to tell. It sounds to me your heart isnt in the expensive one, and the cheaper one is sold so no an option. I would keep looking.

Great, thanks everyone, that's been very helpful. Yes GardenGeek the cheaper one was on the market at 220 went for 210. They are asking for 240 for this one. I wonder if I might chance 220.

Yes both tiddly but that's not so bad if I am looking at future proofing for a single person. The houses are different layouts but they are both built from Skye Homes Milovaig design so same basic footprint.

The location is perfect. I just don't love the house, as Duck said it has the feel of a holiday cottage not a home. I dunno, I think I will chance an offer at 220 but no more. Thanks again for your thoughts everyone.

The more expensive one has better flooring and bathrooms too. It does look like a more expensive finish to the other one. I think it has a better layout too with the downstairs bedrooms being on one side and the living space on the other. Are the bedrooms smaller though?

The more expensive house definitely looks more expensive
The cheaper one looks a bit b&q. I prefer the layout of the cheaper one, though, in terms of floor space.

How would you feel if the nice view was built on?

Offer less than the asking price but generally you have to pay for higher quality. There isn’t much point anyone comparing the other house - it’s been sold! They may be updating it. I have a high vaulted ceiling above my stairs and I love it. You make a home yours by your possessions and furniture. It can definitely be made to feel like a real home.

Huge difference between those two houses. The more expensive one in my view is definitely worth at least 20k more.

I think it's lovely by the way.