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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Help me decide between two properties!

65 replies

Redbirdy27 · 29/01/2019 22:54

So we have been looking at properties for over a year and struggling to find the perfect house (it doesn't exist!). We are moving counties for a better lifestyle and to be near family. Kids (primary school age) will need to move schools but they are on board with this and we've found a village school near our chosen area with places.

We lost a buyer last year but have now sold our house and need to decide between two shortlisted properties. Our buyer will not wait much longer so we need to choose between:

House A - a converted attached barn on the edge of a farm. Quite rural, no amenities in immediate vicinity. 5 mins to nearest village. It's huge but there are low ceilings (DH is 6ft2) in many rooms and lots of beams - he has to duck to enter the kitchen! No windows in any bathrooms and poor ventilation in kitchen (no extractor or means of having one) - only one small kitchen window. The house has loads of character and is quirky with great period features but is listed and unlikely we could alter it in any way. We've been wooed by its charm and character and the possibility of owning something special but it's not necessarily practical - the kitchen/diner are separate and access to (north facing) garden is only via lounge (carpeted). Some rooms quite dark as small windows and north facing garden. It's been on the market for over a year and despite the value it offers relative to its space they haven't been able to sell it as it overlooks the farm sheds - worried we wouldn't be able to sell it either in the future (or is it just because of Brexit affecting the market at the moment). We can afford this house but it's at the top of our budget.

House 2 - a detached one-off new build with private driveway. South facing garden overlooking fields. Fantastic huge kitchen diner with brand new kitchen and nice finish. Some rooms lack character at the moment as everything is all shiny and new. This house is half the overall size of house 1. Chalet style with sloping ceilings upstairs. Bright house as south facing garden and bi-folds. Situated directly on an A road (more like a B road) in a village with a local shop (about half a mile away). Local school is outstanding and highly sought after for future resale (although our kids will not get in - they are full). We can afford this house comfortably but it lacks a reception room compared to house 1.

Really struggling to decide but need to make a decision soon! They are so different. House 1 is more practical but smaller and on a main road. House 2 is more isolated, much bigger but adjacent to a potentially noisy and unattractive farm!

OP posts:

anothermansmother · 29/01/2019 22:57

If go for house 2- new build. Road will stay as a road in future farm could be sold off and made into houses/ change etc.

Original poster

Redbirdy27 · 29/01/2019 22:58

Sorry - got in a muddle there! House 2 is more practical but smaller and on a main road. House 1 (house A!) is more isolated, much bigger but adjacent to a potentially noisy and unattractive farm!

OP posts:

Ethel80 · 29/01/2019 23:01

I'd go for house 2 at a push although I really don't like new builds because the space appeals. All those low beams and windowless rooms made me feel closed in. Plus I live in a damp house now and it's miserable.

I know house 2 is smaller but the spaces clearly work much better.

If you're worried about road noise, you do get used to it very quickly.

Original poster

Redbirdy27 · 29/01/2019 23:12

Good point about the road not changing and glad to hear you get used to it - I've never lived right on a main road before.

I think house 2 is far more practical and ticks a lot of boxes that were on my wish list for our next house. House 1 doesn't really have any of the things on my wish list apart from bigger garden and more space. It would be a nightmare to clean too! But then the romantic side of me remembers how charming it is!

OP posts:

KnockMeDown · 29/01/2019 23:17

House 1 - ducking under beams to get into the kitchen would get old very quickly.

House 2 - how many bedrooms? How many kids do you have, and what ages?

Is there really nothing else available?

Shockers · 29/01/2019 23:21

I never thought I’d tell someone to choose a new build, but the windowless rooms and tiny windows would be horrible in the other house.

Original poster

Redbirdy27 · 29/01/2019 23:26

Both have 4 bedrooms but house 2 has an extra reception room. We have 2 kids who are 7 and 9.

We have been looking for over a year and I have scoured Rightmove thoroughly - these are the best we have found. We really just want to get on and move now before the kids are any older...and we have a buyer which hasn't been easy in this market.

We originally thought we'd go for house 1 but then I started having doubts and worrying about all the negatives...which can't really be mitigated. When I saw house 2 I actually got quite excited about the views and the kitchen/diner is also fantastic. One of the reasons we want to move from our current house is that we don't have enough room for a decent sized dining table and are squashed with just the 4 of us...no chance of entertaining!

OP posts:

YesMrsWaterford · 29/01/2019 23:27

I would bear in mind that by buying a listed building you would be required to seek listed building consent for any new works so could be quite pricey in the long run. I would research owning a listed building if you’ve never owned one before.

Original poster

Redbirdy27 · 29/01/2019 23:27

sorry house 1 has the extra reception room!!

OP posts:

Ariela · 29/01/2019 23:27

Can you add an extension to House 2 - like a conservatory or orangery to gain you a reception room? If it'd make the garden small is there any opportunity to buy land from the farmer behind?

Catalicious · 29/01/2019 23:34

House 2. First house seems to offer little beyond beams. Injury-causing beams

Original poster

Redbirdy27 · 29/01/2019 23:34

Yes, good point, there might a possibility to extend or add an extra room in that way..or even buy a bit of land possibly. The garden is a decent size anyway - and low maintenance which is good as we struggle to keep up with all the foliage that we currently have!

OP posts:

Goposie · 29/01/2019 23:39

I hate new builds but a dark house with low ceilings is horrible. Plus it is listed which will make it hard to sell. It is tiring just reading about it!

PurpleWithRed · 29/01/2019 23:43

House 2. Don’t move to the middle of nowhere with primary school kids, and the “character” of 1 will enchant your friends but drive you nuts.

Original poster

Redbirdy27 · 29/01/2019 23:45

LOL - it really is charming, honestly! But yes, now that I've put it down on paper the low ceilings are not great. It does also have some very high ceilings in some of the rooms but they are the minority. The new build is one of three and fairly high spec - not plasticky at all or on a huge development that took 2 minutes to build. More of a self build really - except we didn't build it ourselves.

OP posts:

marbley · 29/01/2019 23:45

Some friends of ours recently moved to Australia, they used Airbnb properties until they found their perfect house home. Didn't take long and they got to know the different area.

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 29/01/2019 23:47

I would never live next door to a farm again, oh my god the flies! It was awful really spoilt living in a lovely cottage, thank god we only rented it for a short tenancy.

Original poster

Redbirdy27 · 29/01/2019 23:47

Purple -That's the thing, I'm probably a little bit impressed by the character but not thinking about the practicality.

I think a winner is emerging here...

OP posts:

PicklePumpkinPie · 29/01/2019 23:49

When reading your description of the two properties you are far more positive about the modern house than the barn. If there is scope to extend to add on an extra reception I think this would be best for you. I would never buy a north facing property as I like light and bright spaces and being tall I think it's as big ask for your husband with the low ceilings. My FIL always said to be careful about the space around you when buying a property - open fields are enticing but can be built on.

MrsFrTedCrilly · 29/01/2019 23:52

Farm house is likely to be noisy if it’s a working farm.
The darkness, north facing rooms & garden combined with small windows makes it a no brainier for me...new build!

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 29/01/2019 23:53

And just to put this point out there, I really love a ‘comfortable’ house, light spacious rooms where you don’t bang your head every two minutes, I adore character houses but not if they are dark and literally uncomfortable to live in which your barn sounds like, add the farm aspect and I would be running for the hills.

Porridgeoat · 29/01/2019 23:53

SleepWarrior · 29/01/2019 23:57

If you regret house 2 it sounds like you could sell it easily. Not the same for house 1- that sounds like the sort of place that you need to fall madly in love with and stay in forever or rue the day you bought it (and you sound like the latter there!).

Drogosnextwife · 30/01/2019 00:01

My heart would definitely want house one and im quite impulsive so if would probably buy it but obviously house 2 is the more practical choice.

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 30/01/2019 00:04

Can you really be bothered with moving into house 1?

Maybe I'm getting old, but I would want an easy life without an old listed house to worry about. Buy a bright and modern house and get on with bringing up your children, at some point in the future you might be able to extend your kitchen and create some extra space.

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