Which house do you prefer?

[Hisashiburi]

We are looking for our family home for the next 15 or so years and I'm torn.

Which one do you prefer? Both are very different and very different to our new build. Both close to good schools and transport.

Property #1
www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/81834209

Property #2

www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/82668125

I prefer Sawbridgeworth though lot of work to do on house 2. I do really like this one but 3 beds:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-82903190.html

You couldn't pay me to live in Harlow, whereas Sawbridgeworth is nice. So house 1. (Also it's much prettier.)

I would be completely put off house number 1 due to the outlook at the back. That building ruins the garden and looks awful. Detached every time for me.

No 2 definitely.

I'd reconfigure the kitchen eventually.

Which is the nicest area? If 2 is in the nicest place then I'd go for that.

But if you want an Edwardian house like 1 for £200,000, come up to the Wirral!

I wouldn't live in Harlow, and yes that house is lovely but what is the building at the end of the garden?

The second house could look similar with lots of white paint and some nice wallpaper and window dressings, it has more space so would look a lot brighter. I would live there.

Number 1 😍 I grew up in a house like that so slightly biased lol, but it's just beautiful

House 1 is stunning and the type of property I love. However looking if looking for a family home for the next 15/20 years I would go for property 2 every time - in fact we very nearly bought a very similar property in pretty much the same condition. Whilst the decor is tired and dated, I don't think it is anyway in need of immediate renovation - it is certainly something that could be lived with and done over a period of time when funds allow. Don't underestimate how much you might use a car in future transporting 2 dc around to activities / parties, etc, in which case not having a drive might become an annoyance.

Crime map www.police.uk/essex/136/crime/

The good thing about 1 is that it is all done.
The problem with number 1 is that it’s all done.
If you want to change the kitchen, bathroom, carpet then it would be wasteful to change it.
However as you’d need to do lots of work with 2 then you could organise it to exactly what you want.

House 2.

Detached, parking, toilets near all bedrooms, no humungus building at the end of the garden and better location.

A few period features shouldn't turn your head.

Looking at house 2 again, once you take out the current owners furniture, most appear fairly neutrally painted, apart from the orange / terracotta room. Add more modern furniture and it would look a lot different. The kitchen / bathroom are dated, but funtional.

Property 2 without question

I'd go for 2... it could be stunning.

House 1 that kitchen is narrow and the dining area is no where near as big as it looks. The living room is fairly pokey as well

Absolutely number 2. The army cadet building at the bottom of house no 1 garden makes it an absolute non-starter for me (noise).
No 2 obvs needs work but is also detached -all round better in the long run.

House 2 as it has loads of potential. Not a fan of house 1, think it looks small and narrow.

Number 1, it is lovely. Also wondering what is at the end of the garden though.

Definitely number 1 its lovely!

I prefer house 1 but I would knock through to make a massive kitchen/diner with an island

Number 2 as detached.

Number 2 without a doubt.
Detached, off-street parking, no building at end of garden.

Number 1 is just nicely decorated, but you could do that to number 2 and add value.

Disclaimer - I don’t know the area

I have changed my mind, it is house 2 for me, I hadn't looked at the floor plan the first time around.

1. No way would I want that huge building at the bottom of my garden as house 1 has.

2 does need work but could be beautiful.

I think I’ve changed my mind too, to number 2. It has more space over 2 floors than the other does over 3 so just feels a lot bigger.

Number 2 is much nicer and would be amazing once done up