FTB major jitters - hand hold please!

[nervousftbq]

I'm a FTB - lone parent with a tiddler.

I had a choice between two tiny end terraces, just one street away: 1) had 1 small reception, small kitchen/ breakfast, 1 bedroom and an attic room (no building regulations). But was on a small quiet street and private garden.

Terrace 2) had 2 small reception rooms and box kitchen. 2 smallish bedrooms on first floor. Smaller garden than terrace 1, slightly overlooked - (although I think if I extend fence by foot it would help) and is on a longer street. Was also 10% cheaper, leaving me some of my savings.

Anyway I made a head over heart decision and went for terrace 2 which I'm now in the process of buying. But I keep freaking out wondering if I made the right decision! Re terrace 1, I was just worried about lack of space with only one tiny reception room, a kitchen breakfast that I could barely fit a table in, and the attic room not being proper bedroom. But I liked the vibe and location on the street.

Has anyone made a head over heart decision like this, how did it turn out?!

Also, on a completely different note, I'm freaking out about buying in general atm with all the talk about a no deal Brexit! In my case, I don't have much choice but to go for it now - my work situation is usually quite erratic and not enough for a mortgage, but I just got a fixed term contract with decent pay, meaning I have the chance of getting a mortgage now - and I don't know if that would be the case in a year or two.

I'm in my 20s, so I hope this isn't a forever house, but if I'm stuck there, there are good primary and secondaries within walking distance so that's a plus.

I'm just waking up in middle of the night panicking!

I’d have gone for terrace 2 like you. Leaves you some money over and sounds like it has more space. What’s the overall sq footage? With a toddler you probably want a bit more downstairs space. And if schools are good locally that’s really positive.

I’d have made the same decision as you . Buying a house is really scary, especially doing it by yourself. A bit of a freak out is fairly normal I think.

Terrace 2 sounds like the ideal choice for you.

There’s ALWAYS compromisesin house buying, but a ‘proper’ 2-bed over a 1-bed with non-compliant loft room, and more living space, sounds totally the right decision.

Remember, your little one will only get bigger! And a quiet street could be as much of a curse as a blessing depending on neighbours - people who really value their peace & quiet might not like the sounds of kids playing, for instance. You just never know!

Worries are just part of the process I’m afraid. But it’s great you can buy somewhere- focus on that!

House 2 definitely sounds like the better option from what you have said.

I am also a single parent buying alone for the first time. I love my potential new house but am scared to exchange (next week!) in case it’s all a huge mistake.

I think you (and I) would have had the same fears no matter which house you would have gone for. It’s the fear of doing it by yourself that is kicking in. But you have got this under your control, all will be fine once you are in there. X

Second house sounds much better as there are two proper bedrooms and you can always knock through the kitchen and 1 reception room to make a bigger room for kitchen diner
Is it somewhere where house prices are stable? I always think it's better to have property as you're investing rather than wasting money for rent each month

Do you have a rightmove link?

@Flumpy sent you the link - it needs some DIY but not too much for now hopefully!

Thanks guys - @kate

The square footage is actually about the same overall - around 43m2. But a chunk of that (15m2 I think) for the first house was the attic room (which had slanted walls and staircase in the middle.)

@Flumpy

Its not an expensive area but there seems to be bit of a supply shortage so stuff is generally stable I think. Rent would be almost double the mortgage

Another vote for house 2 here! I know it feels scary, but I think you're doing the right thing. Try to see the exciting points, I rented for so long before buying my own place, it felt like a relief to say goodbye to the uncertainty of renting. Plus like you say so often monthly mortgage payments can be significantly lower than rent. Just think how lovely it will be to have money in your pocket, and be able to get your home the way you want it bit by bit. Enjoy your new home

I think house 2 also. You are able to future-proof that one by adding a 3rd room in the loft where as house 1 has used that space.

It's exciting but scary, but I think you've picked well

Thanks guys. Yeah the first needs bit more DIY (bad fitted carpets) but will still have money left over - its not that much difference of money for lots of people, but it would make a big difference for me, especially as I don't have anyone else to rely on, and everything seems so precarious atm!

Is the attic bedroom on a different floor in the first house?

You’ve definitely made the right choice. We made a slightly different head over heart decision and sold a teeny house that we loved for a bigger practical house. I cried when we exchanged contracts but DH promised to move again if I hated it but we moved 10 years ago and we love it here.

So house 2 has the potential to add an attic room in future if you can afford it?

You’ve made the best decision for your circumstances. Your toddler will only get bigger and a small living and kitchen space will feel more cramped.

@Rocky

Yes, the attic space - bit worried about being on a different floor to the baby

@3boys

Aww - in my case they both teeny houses, but the tiny box kitchen extension means I have the second reception room, and am worried about the attic room thing

The price of the first one means extending wouldn't be worth it would prob lose money...but it was a cute terrace.

@flumpy - did you see?

@antihop

I'm not sure actually! I doubt the ceiling would be high enough, maybe for storage

Can you send me the rghtmoce links to both?

I’m a lone parent too and understand the worry when you only have yourself to rely on. I’ll tell you if I’d have made the same decision!

@theblue

Sent - I know its so scary

I much prefer house (2) - the one with a larger living space and two bedrooms on the same floor. It looks like it has loads of potential too - you could do a small extension to fill in the side return to make a bigger kitchen. Or you could knock through the dining room to the kitchen and have it open plan. But even without any changes, I’d have gone for it over the other house.

It’s also a longer term home space wise, in case you can’t make a move to a bigger place before toddler is a teenager.

Also you say that both are teeny houses - but house (2) seems so much bigger than house (1). I think the extra space on the ground floor makes a real difference.

@theblue

Thanks, that made me feel better :). There's a private ally to the back, so front room shouldn't turn into a hallway - think that would be a problem in the first one.

I thought maybe in the long term might replace window in dining room with french doors, and open it up a bit more.

In the short term - get rid of carpets and a lick of paint - as you see its very BTL furnishings heh.

Private alley to the back makes house 2 even better. You’ll be able get bikes from garden to road without having to traipse through the house. And go straight into the back if you’re muddy.

French windows out from dining room sounds lovely. It doesnt look too bad for a btl - just needs some paints as you say.

I hope it all works out and you end up with a lovely home - it looks good to me

I definitely would want sleeping arrangements on the same floor. Also the less stairs you have the less housework there is. I would go for house 2.