Help me choose my new home!

[egdehsdrawkcab]

I could post links but it might out me! But which would you choose?

1. a substantial Victorian terraced property (5beds), oodles of charm and character, needs some updating but wonderful spaces (even if it doesn't flow brilliantly). Two bathrooms but no downstairs w/c. Has space to put one in mind. Has big cellar that could be great playroom. Road is okay, a little busy and parking can be tricky.

2. smaller detached Victorian 'villa' type property (3beds) that is in a very pretty and desirable street. Easy parking. Modernised and extended kitchen/dining thing at rear. Could potentially do the loft one day (most on the street have done this). One bathroom but has downstairs w/c and separate utility.

We have two young DC, so both would be big enough. They are both the same price. Both near to school and our local station.

Second one.

Parking for house 1 would likely be on a side street off the road the house is on.... no pulling up outside.

Second one. As far as work on a house goes, a loft conversion is typically quite straight forward so you have that option in time to increase number of bedrooms - you’ll never be able to do anything about the parking situation at #1

2 every time (plus I'd expect to pay significantly more for it- are they the same price?)

They are the same price yes, but house 1 is a LOT bigger

No 2. Detached and parking. Have you seen the threads on here about parking wars and noisy neighbours? Put bunk beds in the smaller child's room and a sofa bed and single bed in the bigger one and you are sorted for guests.

Has anyone done a 'piggy back loft' extension?? House 2 could work but pretty sure we'd want to the loft straight away....

THE DETACHED ONE
you'll never have to worry about neighbour noise ever ever again! Bliss

On detached vs terraced - It's not a tiny modern terrace with thin walls though is it? It's a substantial victorian house.

I grew up in a Victorian London terraced house with houses that had been converted into flats on both sides - so loads of neighbours coming and going over the years.

In the 40+ years my parents have lived there, they've never had a problem with neighbours. Growing up there, noise was never an issue. Now I live in a smaller 30s semi, I'm much more conscious of noise from the one set of neighbours we have.

House 2 is the safe option. But house 1 wins absolutely for me - except parking.

Whether you can cope with this or not is the issue IMO.

But how many people who are prioritising parking live in London? It's quite normal not to have a drive or garage in London. People cope! Parking round the corner is a bit more of a pain, but you might get used to that more than not really having a spare room - as if your mum is going to move in, is house 2 really big enough?

Is there any possibility of adding off road parking at property 1? Do you have the finances in place to do it up?

Sadly not, Neighbour Pplied got that and dropped their curb but application was refused

Parking and detached would win for me. Not having a parking space is a dealbreaker.

We have finances to either:

Do up house one and maybe extend the kitchen to make nice open area at back. Would also be ours throughout (new bathrooms, carpets etc)

Loft extension to house two but live with fairly bland kitchen and bathroom.

Neither house has parking - both are permit zone street parking. But house 1 you'd be on either of two nearby side streets.

Is it an issue? DH and I both work in town so commute in. DM would be walking kids to and from school, so car only really used at weekend. Sunday parking is easier/no wardens.

There’s a reason why the 5 bed house is the same price as the 3 bed house - and it’s probably mostly the parking and the noise, plus a little bit the need to do a bit of doing-up. Personally I think the parking will drive you nuts in time, and the 3-bed will be too small, and that you should have neither but carry on looking for something else.

If neither has off road parking I'd go for 1 - I adore Victorian terraces and houses with character.

Number 1 without doubt. So much more space and character.

Purple - most sensible, but time is of the essence.....

Do you have good parking now? I wouldn't care about the parking at all as I have never lived in a house with parking. It's just not unusual around here to park a walk away. I really couldn't care about it!

Why can’t you just post links to the actual houses you are considering?

Number 2 unless you can turn your extra rooms in number 1 into parking spaces😄
Parking stress will drive not only you, but your visitors batty.
I've known 2 people in my circle with shit parking and have found it harder to visit often as parking was so dire. They've both moved now thank God.

Also look at long term utility bills,

Well, the big terrace isn't on the market - private sale, the agent asked if we wanted to view. So can't link that one. Second house is essentially that one. Feel funny about posting exact one!!

Neither. Id look for a 4 bed with parking. If it has to be one of them then house 2.

Parking stress will drive not only you, but your visitors batty.

But do you live in London? When I did, most of my visitors came by public transport, driving a car in London is an immense hassle, people simply don't do it as much.

egdehsdrawkcab please don't feel pressured to post it. You're entitled to privacy! People are just nosy, we don't need to see the actual link.