Which house?

[MinesABabyGuiness]

Currently torn between two properties and could do with some outside opinions.

Property 1- huge house for the money. Quite run down, needs fully redecorating and probably a new bathroom and ensuite. Could be a beautiful house when finished. About 1.5 miles from the DC's school (they are 8 and 6 and walk back 3 days a week). Nice quiet neighbourhood. Medium sized South facing garden but with artificial grass which I didn't like. Top end of our budget.

Property 2- a bit smaller square footage wise and one less bedroom. 0.5 miles from the school but much busier neighbourhood and closer to a main road. Has been fully refurbished and a brand new extention 2 years ago, was like a showhome! Paved garden which I think is east facing. About 20k less than the other house.

My preference would be for house 2, but it really is about what your priorities are.

If your dc are 8 and 6, does the location make a difference for secondary schools and likelihood of getting in to a particular one you'd prefer?

Oh, and depends how many bedrooms. When you say '1 less'.... 1 less that how many ?

Trust your gut feeling, impossible for us to tell you which you would be happier in as we do not know your circumstances.

First house sounds like a money pit when it won't even leave you with any money to fix it. Unless it's actually far too small, second house is a no brainer.

If property 1 is run down in terms of decor being old fashioned/not to your taste i’d go with that one and do it up gradually. I wouldn’t choose to buy artificial grass but if it’s there already you might as well keep it, it would be nice not having to constantly mow and it might be more practical whilst DCs are young. However if it’s run down in terms of the roof leaking, electrics haven’t been updated since Churchill was PM then that’s a different matter and it will be a money pit which you can’t afford as it’s at the top end of your budget.

I've only seen artificial grass where there's a severe drainage problem

(Apart from very small bits difficult to mow)

Personally I'd go for House No.1. You could take up the AstroTurf and put down either turf or seed. South facing garden will be sunny, compared with chilly east facing garden at No.2. Quiet neighborhood is good (No.1). Busy road is NOT good - recent reports say road fumes are much worse for health than previously thought (dementia, lung problems etc).

Really appreciate the opinions, still very much undecided!

Difference in bedrooms is 4 bed instead of 5 beds, we have 3 DC. Eldest is at secondary school, house 1 is 1.7 miles away and house 2 is about 0.4 miles.

House 1 was built in the 70's, looked quite solid but I could envisage it throwing up a few bits on the survey. Current owners work long hours in their business and have no time to do any DIY etc.

Our terraced house is east (ish) at the back - very slightly NE - it has a very short back yard, only about 20’ from kitchen wall to rear wall. With a longer garden you’d get sun at the far end most of the evening in the summer.

In winter it is a bit gloomy at the back, but in summer it’s glorious in the morning & early afternoon (side kitchen window faces S), & on a hot day it’s a massive relief in late afternoon/evening to work in a cool dim kitchen 😊

W at the front is more of a nuisance as we have to draw the curtains to be able to see the TV screen in the evening.

But anyway I wouldn’t let the aspect put you off altogether

Please show us the links. Personally if house 1 only requires decoration I’d go with that one.

House one sounds like it will be the better bet in the long run.

House 1. Sounds better longer term provided no major issues in the survey.

Interesting dilemma. A few qs to ponder:

1. Do you have tangible funds after cost of buying hs 1 to do it up and how much work realistically would this be? Having been looking at refurb cost from decorations to gutting out properties, while yes you could take your time, but with 3 dc there is a min standard you need to get it to for habitation.
2. Is hs 2 to your taste deco wise, if so they have saved you money in doing it up plus the fact that it is below your budget is an extra bonus.

Given that there is a room for everyone the extra room is 'a nice to have' unless you really need it.

1. Have you looked at the market for both places, which area would be the better investment? What is the average price on the street?

If you have the money and hs 1 is in a better area and you could get it for the right price then go for it. However if it is already too expensive in its current state and you do not have enough funds for a refurb esp if it is a big project requiring you to live out for a time it does not seem worth it. Sounds like hs 2 has done all the lifting for you and saves you a little to go on a mini break.