Smaller house nice location vs bigger house less nice location

[SpaSushi]

Just that really. Me and 2 children under 10 ( boy and girl).

Im viewing two properties this weekend , and trying to have an idea in advance of my preference in case i need to make an offer quickly.

Both on for same price .

House A: bigger, move in now, 3 bedroom, with potential to improve ( when i can afford) through reconfiguration of internal space and later on extension/renovation etc. but location is a 'just OK' suburb of a small town ( ie not either the desirable or bad parts)

House B: smaller, 2 bedroom but potential to add a wall internally to make 3 bedroom; potential to improve ( when i can afford) later on with extension but still wont be size of house A. Location is nice part of desirable village .

What would you go for- size or location?

Milada... i think you are right 🤔

Hit send too soon

I think i would always think about 'what if' space in the smaller house, but if didn't get into better school from bigger house ...

Its all a bit moot as i may not actually like or get either house but there is so little around anything half decent gets snapped quickly so i need to be ready. Or back to the drawing board and different compromises/ comparisons to have to make

I think wait till you’ve done your viewings. I’ve viewed countless houses and it is really tricky to judge fully without being in the actual space (houses I’ve loved online have often turned out to be disappointing...EA pgotosgraphs are usually a lot nicer than reality).

Good luck with your viewings! I think I would also choose location if you can make the bedroom partition work

Miladamermalada completely agree.

What are the dimensions of the bedroom plus study? That would really decide it for me.

I do think location is better to go for, but I wouldn't go for a house with TWO poky bedrooms, if that's the result. I'd always want a three bed to have at least two 'permanent' doubles.

(by permanent, I mean, the person could live in it - desk, wardrobe etc - I don't mind singles masquerading as doubles if all they're for is a guest room)

You need to view them, you might love or hate one or the other. But on paper I'd go for house B. You can adapt a house but can't change the location.
Although would a village work once they're older and wanting to meet friends etc? Is there public transport and amenities? Lots to consider. I would play it safe with getting in good schools though.

We are in another village right now, so am aware of pros and cons of village life; previously lived in the town of House A( but in the better part of town pre children ).

Room dimensions of house b, once carved up would be something like 5m x 2.1 m and maybe 2.7-3.6 x2.8 m, (pending where door/wall goes). So adequate (IMO) for children/singles.

I agree location is best in general, but i worry about whether i will ever afford extending and then in a few years being stuck in a 'bit too small' home with teenagers

Go and view and be ruthless in pros and cons for each house. Top of the list should be how you feel when you show up there. Think 'am I coming home?' That is the unfathomable element that means the most.

Report back and then we'll pull them both to pieces for you

In that case - unless it results in a very awkward layout - my vote is for location!

(I property porn looked at a house online recently where an attic had been split in two - both 3x1.7, so you could only have a single bed in one direction, and sloped roofs too)

My smallest bedroom is 2.3x2.3, but I can extend it to 2.9x2.3, so those sound good to me.