Help! Which property would you go for?

[charliehunnamssixpack]

House A: new build, all flooring included (Amtico), has driveway for two cars. Three beds, large master suite with dressing area and en-suite on second floor, kitchen, cloakrooom and living room on ground floor but also has a garden office. Could move in and no need to spend any money. 77 square metres.

House B: old house, bags of character and 4 small rooms downstairs (kitchen, lounge, dining room, study). Three beds, no en-suite, no downstairs loo. Parking is not next to the house. Is right on a main road. Only one bathroom and will need money spending on it. 96 square metres.

Losing my mind, please help!

House A for sure.

The main road and lack of parking are the clincher for me.

Or, wait for an option C?

Sorry... House B. Primarily because I don’t particularly like new builds!

You’ve more space with it, so could add cloakroom, utility, or whatever if you needed it. The bedrooms in house A must be far smaller than house B, given the master has dressing room and en-suite and the overall sq M is smaller. Small bedrooms might be a particular problem with older children/teens, eg when they’ve friends round.

The issues for me would be (a) main road. How noisy? Bus stops? Parking? (b) can you afford to do the work and face the upheaval?

Wow B is amazing, I think you should go for it.
These threads always make me wish we didn’t need to live in London!

Property B! It looks stunning, and immaculate - no need to spend money on it that I can see. Except decorating to put your own stamp on it, but that would be the same in A.

I also far prefer the downstairs layout to B, A looks cramped and no private space - even the living room is a through room to the kitchen diner. If you want a bit of open space living in B, you could always knock through to the dining room as and when. And although B is on the main road, it has a nice bit of front garden, whereas A opens straight onto the road, which I don't like so much.

From what you said in your first post, it would definitely be house A. But after looking at the photos, house B doesn't look like it needs any work doing to it at all, it's actually really nice - and I don't usually like old houses. The only downside to house B is that there is only one bathroom. There is parking with house B and it's 126 sq m.

House B for sure. I live in a new build, but would love to live in a house with character/history. Our next house will not be a new build!

Yeah having seen actual houses I think B. But parts of it are a bit wierd. Bath placement! And the back of the house?!

A isn't a lot bigger than our 3 bed flat and I don't feel we have much space.

With more rooms and stairs/landing taken into consideration the rooms must be very small.

Just seen links! Definitely B!!! What work would you want to do to it?

I love B! Loads of character

B is much bigger and nicer , can't see what I would do to it except put in a downstairs loo and a new shower upstairs in the bathroom , on road parking is always a problem .

Well A is tiny. 822 sq feet. That’s smaller than many 2 bed flats. It will feel better because it’s on 3 floors, but it’s small! It’s a fully fitted box really.

I thought B would be a wreck, but it’s not. It’s not in a great location though. Is there nothing else within your price range in the area? A new build will be slow to increase in value and could lose money because they are always sold at a premium price. B won’t be valued any higher by making alterations. It will still have parking issues. Are there no mature semis in mature roads? I might keep looking and widen the search area. The new build may not sell very quickly.

77 sq m is very small for a 3-bed. Are you sure it’s 77?

I can see from the floor plan of B that it’s actually 126sq m, not 96, which makes a world of difference. 126sq m is a decent size house.

Assuming A is not 77sq m (ready to be corrected) the thing I don’t like about it is that you can’t get directly to the kitchen or back lobby from the hall. Just a small thing.

House B (but it’s now under offer and no wonder why)

It’s a larger plot, lively house not such of a terrace Like A

Bags of character. Rooms look good size, great garden

What I don’t Know are the locations. Location is very important

@TheGriffle

House B is under offer anyway so surely you’ve missed the boat there.

We and another party have made offers. They are weighing them up but the property is marked under offer whilst they decide.

It needs a downstairs toilet putting in, an en-suite making, new flooring throughout upstairs, redecorating upstairs, and some significant electrical work. Would also need to buy a range cooker, fridge freezer etc. All adds up.

The drive way is down the road, away from the house.

The money you would ‘have’ to spend on B (only one item of which is necessary) is nothing compared to the money you will lose buying a tiny new build just before a recession. And putting in an offer when there are other interested proceedable buyers and you’re not sure you want the house is extremely poor form.

B B B B B B B

All day, every day 😍

I'd pick B and can't see where you need to spend any money, the decor is fitting for the property. I'd prob change the handles on kitchen but not much else. Lick of paint to suit your tastes. A looks like a showroom, cold and clinical.

Do you want space or do you want cosy charm??? Is it a forever home or a stop gap??

B will hold its value much better than A. Much more individual.

@CarrotInATree

The money you would ‘have’ to spend on B (only one item of which is necessary) is nothing compared to the money you will lose buying a tiny new build just before a recession. And putting in an offer when there are other interested proceedable buyers and you’re not sure you want the house is extremely poor form.

Erm that's rude. I expressed interest weeks ago and told them I was proceedable early this week. They have kept me dangling knowing they have another offer coming. That's fine, just the way it goes and I don't have any hard feelings towards them about that, they are a lovely couple. But knowing they might swing the other way I have been looking for back up options in case they go with the other party which their agent told me was likely.

B !!! But it says under offer?

B is lovely, much nicer than A. A is a box .

Depends a bit on stage of life and energy levels. If children v small, A perhaps significantly better because of road? Is there anything else to take into account like gardens, proximity to park, schools, shop? Is the main road very noisy? People coming home from pubs?

@Saz12

Sorry... House B. Primarily because I don’t particularly like new builds!

You’ve more space with it, so could add cloakroom, utility, or whatever if you needed it. The bedrooms in house A must be far smaller than house B, given the master has dressing room and en-suite and the overall sq M is smaller. Small bedrooms might be a particular problem with older children/teens, eg when they’ve friends round.

The issues for me would be (a) main road. How noisy? Bus stops? Parking? (b) can you afford to do the work and face the upheaval?

Very noisy, it's right on the main road through town and right next to a pelican crossing. Bus stop just over the road. Think that's why they've struggled to sell it.

Ok A is tiny. How many are you? It's too small for a long term home for 4.

B or a different house.