Which house would you buy?

[FingersXrossed]

Need somewhere soon and may end up renting a bit if we don't get something in time. I have a small budget and both properties are affordable (same asking price) roomy 2 bedroom houses with gardens.

There's a lot of competition for houses in my area (Scotland) just now. Backlog of pre-lockdown buyers. My husband asked one couple whose house we viewed how much people had offered and people have offered up to 15% over home report valuation. Our main concern is having decent, quiet neighbours because our current upstairs neighbour is a noisy, neglectful nightmare and I'm a bit scared of ending up in a similar situation.

Property 1: end terrace in the next town, very elderly owner passed away. Needs new windows and carpets, decor etc but you could move in and work on it. Brand new boiler and bathroom. Adjoining neighbour has access to the garden for putting out bins etc. Close to all amenities, 10 minute drive from family and friends, 20 min drive from work. I've put in a note of interest yesterday but heard nothing else so far.

Property 2: semi detached, in peaceful semi rural location (village comprising of several streets, fields and farms in surrounding areas). Newish windows, boiler etc. Nothing there apart from a post office, but short drive to supermarkets. 20 minute drive to work, same to family. Very pretty house and owners have already had many offers, so it's going to closing date shortly. Owners haven't bought somewhere new yet, they're only moving because they're getting on in years and want a home on one floor.

I haven't moved from the town I grew up in and although we want to venture a little further away it feels a bit weird thinking of living 20 minute drive away from my parents, even though that's nothing in the grand scheme of things! It feels like a cutting of the apron strings, not being within walking distance. But we have a car.

I'm not linking because I get paranoid about these things 😉 but what would you go for? I'm thinking I might put in a offer on the second but there's seemingly a lot of competition. If not successful go for the first option?

2nd without a doubt.

Second!

Second. I couldn’t be doing with someone being allowed to access my garden.

First, but I hate driving

It's hard to say without seeing them

Plus everyone values different things (and different things at different stages of life).

However, if you have, or intend to have, young children or dogs- someone else having access to your garden is not good. Plus the neighbours now might be nice/considerate, but what if you get absolute horrors moving in?

The second one has less that needs doing, so less costly after you've bought it.

A slightly longer drive doesn't make much difference as you're in the car anyway.

So yes, from the littke we know, I'd say 2 (as long as YOU have a car)

I think for me it would be the 2nd choice.
I couldn't be doing with a place that you have to do up from day 1. Nor would I want someone having access to my garden.

Honestly neither.

It depends what your relationship is like with your family. I moved a 20 min drive from my family and hated it. Moving back now to a few minutes drive away. Just found it hard to pop round when was convenient and actually had to plan as with traffic it could easily be an hours round trip or more.

But not everyone's as obsessive about their family as I am. House wise the second one is better if you don't mind the distance to your family. If you do then wait

Our main concern is having decent, quiet neighbours

Therefore the second one. You can't control what your neighbours are like, so if nosey, noisy people move in next door and have access across your back garden, you will be unhappy.

I'd offer on 2 but might settle for 1 if unlucky.

Tbh, they sound a world apart in value. Is there a catch with 2?

I’d much prefer being close to amenities so 1 appeals and 2 doesn’t. However, what does that access mean? Sounds a bit offputting.

2.....on the face of it, without going to see it or even see online!

Property 2. I wouldn’t want neighbours having access to my garden.

Another vote for 2. The lll garden access would be a definite no for me.

Neither sound ideal but property 2 sounds better than property one.

How old are your children, how will they get to school or see their friends?

I would pick number 1. Garden access isn't much drama and I'd hate to need to drive everywhere. Plus a new boiler is a big plus.

Sigh. As fate would have it, both houses have gone to closing at the exact same time!

So I've decided to offer on the end terraced one, there's less competition. I feel sad about the other house because it was lovely but I imagine someone would offer a lot over asking price for it. I'm hoping they have anyway.

Trying to think of negatives. It is on a main road so probably wouldn't be allowed a dog (no kids in the plans so that's not a factor). No bakery or small store etc nearby.

I might take decor inspiration from #2 for #1 if we get it, or wherever we end up.

I don't think I'd like right of access to the garden. But not sure about the middle of nowhere either. Why not wait and see if anything else comes up.

I would never buy anywhere that allowed access over my property. There is ALWAYS another house OP.

Was outbid on #1. Apparently it was close and I could have offered more but I never know how much to offer. Family member has been going on about upcoming housing crash as well and houses getting cheaper but I want something before the year is out and things go to shit.

Definitely second