Two Houses...which would you pick

[Bells3032]

Both in similar areas

House A - in perfect condition. On a main road but slightly set back. Only 7 years old and beautiful. More than big enough for us. On the edge of good catchment for three good schools. Lovely garden. However, it's about a 20 minute walk from the station and high street (I reckon I will only be communing 1-2 days a week in future but my husband commutes). However, there is a bus literally outside that takes you to the station but it's a bit round the houses. Husband could cycle though. And about a 30 minute walk from my dad and sis who i am close to.

House B - on at 150-200k cheaper but needs to be refurbished etc. Also probably larger than we really need. Could just manage with repaint and re carpet but I'd prob redo kitchen and bathrooms etc to be happy and maybe consider a loft extension. Garden is small. Only in catchment for one good school and a couple of very poor ones. Also on a main road. However, it's a 5 minute walk to station and station and about a 15 minute walk to my dad and sister.

We are currently just married and living in a flat belonging to my in laws so could still live here whilst work was done. We are looking to have kids within the next couple of years.

Or do we just sit and wait and hope for something else?

[dudsville]

According to your op you prefer the first house.

[Ohhgreat]

I think you should keep looking. If you are buying a house with a view to having children then consider:
If you intend to keep working, you need a nursery between the house and your work, otherwise your commute time gets extended even further
You want to be in an area where you can push the buggy to the park/woods/shops. Especially in the first few years!
School catchments change - look at the furthest distance place offered for the school. Where there is high demand catchment areas are shrinking, so a house in catchment now may well not be in 5 years time.

[TwigTheWonderKid]

"Edge of catchment" rang alarm bells - a lot can change in 5 years. And working on the assumption you would go back to work after having children, are there any good nurseries on the way to the station from the house?

[Darkbendis]

Between these 2, I'd chose A. But personally I wouldn't rush if I don't need to move right away, there will be better houses coming on the market at some point.

[PickAChew]

Both have serious drawbacks. It's a pretty safe time to wait for something better.

[damnthatanxiety]

5 min walk to station could mean horrendous parking issues every day. 20 min walk is not far at all and is a good forced exercise.

[Tinythumbelina]

House B everytime for me

[seenbeensbean]

House A. We do need a link though.

[PantTwizzler]

Neither. I would never buy on a busy road. I would also be looking at the orientation of the house. South or west facing garden is crucial for me and something you can’t change.

[whiteroom]

Neither to be honest.
Main Rd would put me off both - noise fumes etc, and I wouldn't choose to live next to a bus stop. If you're not desperate to move yet I would hang on.

[Desiringonlychild]

@Bells3032 I would wait. From your previous postings, I think this house is in north London? I am expecting prices to fall across the board so its probably better to wait.

However many of the people who own these north london houses have been there for absolutely yonks and so don't need to sell. But i guess you only need 1 desperate seller.

[oreoxoreo]

House A without a question!

[steppemum]

wait. Even if you go ahead and start a family, you can still move later.
If you can wiat at the moment there is no way I would move.

I think prices may do strange things, everything is so uncertain, I would wait.

Added bonus, if you are rent free, you need to save that amount every month, so in a year or so you will have added a really good chunk to your potential cash pot for a house.

[Africa2go]

I think you're right to wait. Honestly, what you want from a house pre-baby and post-baby are massively different. If you're in a mortgage free property I would just save and wait & see what comes onto the market.

[Bells3032]

I honestly don't know. House A is less convenient but in a nicer area to walk and better schools catchment. House B is very central and easy to walk.

I am starting to think neither is a good option for us and we should just wait until the right thing comes along. We are currently in a good position living in a mortgage and rent free home with no chain to speak of for us. It's just very anxiety causing when we have no idea what the market is gonna do and have no idea if anything else is gonna come up

[sassysoul]

If house B was renovated (and within budget) which would you pick then?

[Bells3032]

sorry no links for now. Both are currently off market, House B likely to be coming off later this week. House A is a friend of my sister who is selling privately

[OneNewName]

Are the walks doable with a buggy/double buggy? If both are, house A.

[BoxAndKnife]

We can't possibly decide without links

[Africa2go]

Neither (unless you're prepared to move again when you have children).

"On the edge" of a good catchment means, as a pp has said, that you're more than likely to be outside of the catchment by the time you have children wanting to go there.

And I would never buy a house on a main road if I had children / was planning a family.

[mumdone]

A, a ride would take 5-10 minutes plus it’s exercise

[BrieAndChilli]

Can you put links on so we can have a look.

[Oopsiedaisyy]

Go A, buy a bike.

[flirtygirl]

House B as house A is already on edge of the catchment and they change and often shrink. I would not be paying a premium for schools, only to have no schools by the time I have children.

Also house B schools may improve and it simply too early to judge as you don't have children yet.

House A being perfect would put me off as I'd always want to do my own thing and not pay to undo nicely done work and others choices.

As long as it's a nice area still, house B being bigger and cheaper would swing me. Also closer to station and to your family. Commute plus walk/cycle or bus would get tiresome quickly for me.

[daysofpearlyspencer]

If in no hurry take your time. You are in a great position to do a deal.