Opinions on this house please - heart vs head!

[Pootles34]

I'd really appreciate opinions on this house please. Its sensibly priced for the area, but a few issues - no off road parking apart from the garage, and the layout is a bit peculiar - but I think maybe that's just an older house thing? Obviously it'll need a bit of updating (bathroom carpet...!), but we'd be happy to wait to do that.

I love the garden, and the house does look really cosy. We haven't viewed yet as our house isn't on yet, although it will be in the next week or so. I'd really appreciate any thoughts - thank you!

I think it'd have to be the 9 yr old downstairs with it being small - he'd have to have a cabin bed or similar. He wouldn't mind, but I might.

With our budget, we're never going to avoid a character property that doesn't have 'issues' - so really it's something like this, or a 4 bed box that would be more practical but a bit... soulless maybe.

It's lovely it's a yes from me!!

That’s so unexpected Bernadette, really imaginative use of the space.

Yeah it's interesting isn't it Bernadette! You'd never know from the front. I'm not sure it's my thing though - and the original house is top of our budget anyway.

It's only a two bed if the downstairs bedroom does not have a window. What are two bedrooms properties going for in the area?

I like it. In your situation I would have the downstairs bedroom and have the kids upstairs. It's not ideal when the children are still quite young but if they don't regularly need you to go to them in the night and everything else about the house is OK then it's a compromise I'd make. When children are older I think its an advantage to have them on a separate floor - everyone gets their own space and a bit more privacy.

As another poster suggested - I'd try and take the wall down (or at least make an opening) between the kitchen and dining room.

It has a skylight lightsabre. If I had pots of money, I think I'd be tempted to extend over the top of the garage to make an extra bedroom, then knock bedroom 3, garden room and garage all into one massive kitchen with bifolds...

A skylight in the bedroom is lovely, lying in bed looking at the moon or waking up to snow covering is fab. I had one put in a few years ago and I adore it.

I like it a lot, the parking thing wouldn't bother me at all. There looks like there's another house just down the road that has slightly less charm but possibly a better front garden situation?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-90251576.html

Still like the cottage though. Your plan described above is a good one

No parking would be a deal breaker for me. There’s bits I like but a lot of the rooms are a bit dark and small. The garden is fabulous

As a family home with two small children I'd say no. I think the rooms look small and dark.
Nothing stopping you looking at it though.

If you look out the downstairs en suite and turned the utility into a loo-tility with access to the bedroom you would have a lot nicer bedroom for not much money.

Lots of lights on in those pictures.

Yes I know Bravo that's the sensible one...although dh is grumping that there should be an en suite. We currently have just one bath/shower and it's a bone of contention.

Dark, dated decor, giggled-piggledy lay out, frontage right on road. Nice back garden though.

@Pootles34

I think it'd have to be the 9 yr old downstairs with it being small - he'd have to have a cabin bed or similar. He wouldn't mind, but I might.

With our budget, we're never going to avoid a character property that doesn't have 'issues' - so really it's something like this, or a 4 bed box that would be more practical but a bit... soulless maybe.

But how long term could you keep a 9yo in a cabin bed? What when he’s shot up and is nearly 6ft at 13yo?

That's a great idea dis. And there's 2 bathrooms upstairs so no need for another shower - I suspect they've had someone living there with mobility issues so needed to pop downstairs bedroom and shower room in.

The one bravo linked would be a much more sensible choice as a family of four. It looks a very easy and comfortable home to live in.

The original house looks like somewhere you may go on holiday (and then be grateful for coming home to your more spacious, practical home).

I love a quirky character home but I think in your position I'd go for @bravotango's sensible one tbh.

I think you'd have to do a lot of work to the first house to make it really work as a family home.

Bravo's suggestion looks dull as ditch water to me. I imagine the OP's one as cosy and warm, it looks like a home.

In fact, i think the 4-bed one is rather lovely, lots of light and space. Granted not nearly as characterful as the cottage but so easy to live in.

I think you could get a front window too @Pootles34. And, it wouldn't be a waste of money if you make more changes in the future.

I wonder if you could plumbing in the store off the garage?

Unfortunately @Pootles34, a bedroom with a skylight wouldn't be classed as a bedroom as it needs an escape route through a window. Your surveyor and conveyancer will pick this up as it wouldn't meet current building regulations (but you would get an indemnity). Something to be aware of when looking at prices - technically it is a two bedroomed property.

Low ceilings downstairs would make it a no for me. I'd feel claustrophobic. And that road.