Which of these 2 houses would you buy?

[HouseHuntingHetty]

There are 2 houses we are interested in and there is a huge difference in price. Both require some work doing - the cheaper one more so than the more expensive one.

We would like 4 bedrooms, a study, 2 living rooms/spaces and a utility room if possible (3 kids, we both work from home several times a week).

House 1: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-62909682.html

This house would require new floors downstairs, new carpet on stairs and bedrooms and possibly a new kitchen further down the line (5yrs?).

House 2: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-83059103.html

This house would again require new floors & carpets, new kitchen and bathroom. We would also convert one half of the double garage to create a second living room.

Location wise, they are right opposite each other on the same Street.

Which one makes more financial sense to you?

We're going round in circles so any thoughts welcome! Thanks!

I think I prefer the first one - why is there such a difference in price? It is such a massive saving my cheap head says go for the cheap house but I have to admit I did t like that house whereas the first one I did right away.

I think the difference is just because the 1st house has more rooms and a detached garage but I'm not entirely sure either!

I’d go for the first one. Needs less work doing to make it look nice, but then I am quite lazy when it comes to these things. I too would be wondering why there is such a huge price difference between the two.

Links

Links work on the app but don't seem to on the desktop, sorry!

First one.

First one!
The second one looks awfully dated and quite crammed IMO

First one. The second feels small and dark, the lights are on in the photos even though it seems bright outside which also makes me think dark.

First one. You could move straight in with no rush to do anything until you were ready.

The first house is massively bigger than the second, which has very little living space, in comparison to the first. They both look as tired as each other, even though the smaller house is less matchy. It's easy to see where the extra money is going, particularly as you wouldn't feel the need to extend the first, losing garage/storage space, in the process.

If you can afford it the first one. The second needs a heck of a lot of work doing and you have far less living space.

First one hands down. Much better space. That landing with the bookcase made me flinch!

The second one seems to meet your minimum requirements as it does technically have two living areas already, and also has a South facing garden which would be lovely if you and the DCs enjoy being outside. It would be worth checking how easy it would be to convert the garage- is there a managing agent or equivalent who would need to give you consent as well as the usually plannng etc?

The first is definitely more spacious. If it's opposite on the street then the garden might not get much sun. It's a really lovely house though.

For me it would depend on my financial situation- would the mortgage on the first leave you enough wiggle room to have nice holidays and save for university for the kids etc? If both are easily with your means I'd go for no 1. However if that would be a stretch I'd go for the second- better garden, scope to add extra room and perfectly adequate for your needs.

South facing garden would be the deal breaker for me.

The second one has a lovely kitchen/family room and I think you could use the saving to make it work for you. I also think it's a more attractive house.

save for university for the kids etc
One of the wonder things about living in Scotland is that we have free Uni tuition so we don't have to worry so much about saving for that.
OP, I would go for the larger house, but try to get the price down by 20k or so.

House 1.
You will still have the double garage, and wont need to spend the money converting.

Am I looking at the right links? Why would the dearer house need new floors downstairs? The photos look like it has just had new laminate throughout and a new kitchen?

Hi, thanks for all the comments! I really thought everyone would go for house 2!

To clear up a few things...

It would not be a problem to convert half the garage on house 2. Lots have done it on the street.

House 1 is opposite but rotated 45 degrees so the garden would be kind of South West facing.

The photos on both are very flattering. They both are very jaded decor-wise. The kitchens in both houses are the originals (about 15 yrs old) but house 1's kitchen seems to have held up slightly better and we could live with it for a good few years yet.

The laminate in house 1 is very old and badly fitted/scratched. Laminates available now are much better quality (and also I hate the colour!). I'd like a natural wood affect one.

We could afford both, but obvious house 2 would mean bigger mortgage. House 2 could mean mortgage free in 15 yrs and house 1 in 20 years. However, our joint earnings are expected to go up progressively and obviously childcare will come down over the years.

I'm erring towards house 1 because the space would be great when we eventually have 3 teenagers in the house but I think house 2 could be worked on and made perfectly nice and adequate but it doesn't excite me and I worry I might always hanker after more space. Hmm... A nice predicament to be in but it's driving us crazy!

House 1 for sure.

Another vote for house number 1

The dining area in house two is really tight. Imagine that with gangling great teens!

South west facing garden is fab Op

House number 2 - its lovely and that is a crazy price difference!

On the basis of South west facing garden and finances not being painfully tight I'd go for no 1- agree about it being great space for older DC.