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Original poster

Which would you buy?

51 replies

Everywhichway2018 · 25/04/2018 12:53

All houses were originally built the same, 3 bed semis, all within 2 mins walk from each other.

House A - £295,000 - converted loft to create 4th bedroom, with dormer, plus ensuite. In very good condition throughout could just move straight in. Conservatory but garden is overlooked and north facing.

House B - £235,000 - attic room with skylight, frustratingly the stairs go through the 3rd bedroom so these would need to be moved. In liveable condition but I would want to refurbish throughout eventually. Conservatory with an overlooked garden also north facing.

House C - £235,000 - needs complete refurbishment, loft potential, small extention accross the back of the property looking out on to a stunning private south facing garden. Has had a sale recently fall through so maybe a deal to be done.

Which would you buy and why?

OP posts:
Angryosaurus · 25/04/2018 12:56

I’m thinking c. How many bedrooms and what kind of refurbishment needed though?

OfDragonsDeep · 25/04/2018 12:57

House C, it's pretty much the choice we've just made. Hoping we don't regret it! I like being able to make our own descisions on things like bathrooms and kitchens rather than living with what someone else wanted.

MNscum · 25/04/2018 12:58

A

TeresasGreen · 25/04/2018 12:59

It depends where in the country you are tbh. In the SE, then a loft conversion and refurb would have to be £££. If not, then C sounds perfect if you can live through the work.

howabout · 25/04/2018 13:00

c) but that is because a pet peeve of mine is cold conservatories which cut down on light to the main house but don't really add space or compensate for lack of usable garden.

b) seems like the worst option because although cheaper than a) to be happy you would want to redo the conversions.

MessySurfaces · 25/04/2018 13:48

Would 60k cover the work you want to do to c? If so c, no contest! And definitely offer low and see what happens.

Original poster
Everywhichway2018 · 25/04/2018 13:50

Thanks all. It's funny because when I wrote it down I thought A would be the obvious choice but I am strongly drawn to C. I am surprised that most of you agree.

The houses are in south Wales.

OP posts:
DobbyisFREE · 25/04/2018 14:01

C if you have the time, energy and money to deal with the work.

SciFiFan2015 · 25/04/2018 14:17

House C. I have a north facing garden and I curse it constantly. I'd love a private south facing garden. Sounds awesome!

Frosty66612 · 25/04/2018 14:19

I would go with C even though i’d find all the refurbishments etc really tedious (I have zero patience). It would be worth it in the end once you have a lovely home with your own stamp on it, a private garden and some money left over in the pot

Furano · 25/04/2018 14:21

House C

You can refurb it how you want it and it has a much nicer garden!

Furano · 25/04/2018 14:21

The best thing about my house is the private south facing garden, I get so much pleasure from it.

mrsreynolds · 25/04/2018 14:23

C
If you have the Will, money and time to spend on it

pattimayonnaise · 25/04/2018 14:31

I'm in the process of moving because we are overlooked and the houses here are too on top of each other. I'd go for C!

Pythonesque · 25/04/2018 14:46

C if you can handle doing the work, if not then A. We moved into an A of sorts (including the north-facing garden lol!) just after my youngest was born; 12 years later I need to get some stuff done (bathroom!) and still procrastinating somewhat. I like the idea of improving somewhere but am also scared by the decision making.

Good luck, and hope C works for you!

trixymalixy · 25/04/2018 14:52

C

llangennith · 25/04/2018 14:58

C without a doubt.

Notonthestairs · 25/04/2018 15:00

A.

We've just finished a top to bottom refurb - never, ever again.

Guardsman18 · 25/04/2018 15:02

C - a South facing garden is a must and will give you years of pleasure.

Let us know!

Original poster
Everywhichway2018 · 25/04/2018 15:07

spanner in the works time ***

HOUSE D
£250,000 - 3 bed DETACHED
Needs an extension or two to make it the dream home, it's livable but shabby and it has a MASSIVE garden backing on to the woods, it's a very all round private house.

BUT... it is on a busy road - think one of those roads where the have the light up slow down 30 signs. Though our youngest is nearly 11 so they all know how to be safe around roads. Its one of those roads where the houses all around are very unique, some detached some semis, some terrace, all different designs. The reason I mention this is because there is real scope to add value. One 4 bed, detatched and extended recently sold for £645,000.

So which one now?

OP posts:
blaaake · 25/04/2018 15:10

I was gonna say C but D seems the best

AiredaleFan · 25/04/2018 15:20

This is an interesting one! I would say:

Definitely not B - moving stairs is a pain, and surprisingly expensive and you will end up compromising a room somewhere.

C - if you're up for the work involved and want to put your own stamp on it, and if you can afford to have the work done (get quotes), and it will be worth the same (or more) than you've spent on it and you have the time for the garden maintenance.

A if you can't meet the conditions re C or don't want renovation hassle.

Good luck!

AgathaF · 25/04/2018 15:22

House C, definitely. For us a private, south or south-west garden is a strong preference. We also always buy doer-uppers, so C would fit the bill.

mrsreynolds · 25/04/2018 15:28

Hmmm

Normally I'd always say detached but a busy road?

D of you think others will overlook it as you can

AgathaF · 25/04/2018 15:29

Just seen your latest post. If you're looking to move on in a few years then probably D. Worth it to add value. Which way does the garden face though. I know you say it's massive, but if the trees in the wood it backs onto are huge then it could be dark for much of the day. Not nice for you to live there, and could make selling in the future more difficult.