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House A or House B...

64 replies

jasmineetcigarette · 17/02/2021 08:45

Opinions please MN!

House A:

  • period terrace, spacious, light, over 4 floors, 4 bed, large kitchen / diner
  • balcony with sea-views
  • will need new kitchen, carpets, floors, general decor, etc to bring up to ideal
  • small enclosed decked 'garden', not much scope for anything there
  • 5 mins walk from sea, 10 mins from town, can buy a pint of milk round the corner, road is fine but there is a medium-sized business premises selling to the building / reno trade almost opposite house
  • street parking only
  • will need a mortgage but manageable >£600 per month
  • loads and loads of potential with a bit of money spent on it

House B:

  • period terrace, 2 smallish doubles and box room, less feeling of space and light, more cottagey and cramped
  • lovely style, wouldn't need to do anything much in terms of decor etc BUT would want to do a loft conversion eventually for more space
  • larger garden, shed, rooms for veg, chickens etc Grin
  • feels like it's 'done' already, not much scope to add value
  • quiet road, pretty park at the end, 10 mins walk from sea, 20 mins from town
  • street parking only
  • would be mortgage free

Obviously the idea of being mortgage free in a pretty house is VERY tempting. I really really like the house itself. However we are currently in a much larger place and I think we would really really miss the space. There is no obvious sign of loft conversions done on other houses in the road.

Half the year it will be just DH and I (dd at uni) but we do like to entertain, have people to stay etc (when allowed!) I also work from home and have a hobby that I would really like a 'spare' room for. DH is understandably very keen on being mortgage free but does like the potential of the other house too.

WWYD?

OP posts:
Finfintytint · 17/02/2021 08:49

It would be House B for me as gardening is important to me. You could have a hobby room in the garden if there’s room for one.

Mydarlingsleepthief · 17/02/2021 08:50

A!

jasmineetcigarette · 17/02/2021 08:52

Sorry I meant mortgage would be less than £600 per month, possibly quite a bit less.

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 17/02/2021 08:56

I’d be very concerned about no private parking in a seaside place. You could have a real problem with parking come summer and out of lockdown.

HollowTalk · 17/02/2021 08:56

How long would the mortgage last?

MissyB1 · 17/02/2021 08:57

B for certain! Dh and I will be in your position in a few years with ds off to Uni and only Dh and I at home most of the time. At that point I fully intend to downsize to something like the house B you have described!
If you’ve got less space then get rid of stuff. And yes we like to have friends to stay too but you aren’t buying a B&B you are buying a home to suit your circumstances.

jasmineetcigarette · 17/02/2021 08:57

@HollowTalk

How long would the mortgage last?
Probably 15 years.
OP posts:
dancemom · 17/02/2021 08:59

You're comparing apples and oranges.

Do you want a large spacious 4 floor home or do you want a small cosy home with garden?

ScrapThatThen · 17/02/2021 08:59

They are completely different financial propositions/budgets, seems strange that they are the two choices.

dancemom · 17/02/2021 09:00

Maybe neither are right for you.

jasmineetcigarette · 17/02/2021 09:00

@dancemom

You're comparing apples and oranges.

Do you want a large spacious 4 floor home or do you want a small cosy home with garden?

Both, for different reasons. hence the dilemma.
OP posts:
lurch3r · 17/02/2021 09:00

B because mortgage free and still 3 bedrooms plus nicer garden. The parking will be a pain for both but slightly less so for the one 10 mins away. Also business opposite A might be a pain.

whenwillthemadnessend · 17/02/2021 09:00

Neither sound ideal but I think A

Bigger
Add value
Sea view

The other one I think you would have to move again more quickly and won't add value so more expensive long term

FoolsAssassin · 17/02/2021 09:07

I don’t like the idea of the business opposite house A, small decked garden and the parking implications being on street and closer to the sea. Also wouldn’t want mortgage when could be mortgage free with child at uni, we are fast approaching similar situation and it would be B for me with big log cabin type thing in garden.

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 17/02/2021 09:11

I think it would be B for me for a few reasons:
Mortgage free
Garden
Loft conversion is less work and upheaval than a full refurbishment
It still seems like a handy location. Is the 20 minutes to the shops where the nearest shop is?

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 17/02/2021 09:12

Why are you moving from your current home?

reefedsail · 17/02/2021 09:13

As PP have said, I wouldn't buy a house that close to the sea without private parking. Does either have a front garden you could convert into parking?

jasmineetcigarette · 17/02/2021 09:14

@Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor no it's 20 mins into the main town but there is a Tesco metro etc 5-10 mins walk away. Both are good locations in terms of amenities.

OP posts:
Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 17/02/2021 09:14

Is there residents parking only on either of the streets in question?

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 17/02/2021 09:15

Sorry I've asked loads of questions

jasmineetcigarette · 17/02/2021 09:18

Sorry got a meeting but will be back, thanks for thoughts so far!

OP posts:
LadyCounterblast · 17/02/2021 09:20

Neither for me, although A is closer to what I'd choose.

daysofpearlyspencer · 17/02/2021 09:21

Are you in the UK? If so, would not buy a house without parking so near to the coast. I think it would be a nightmare in summer especially as people will be holidaying more here over the next couple of years. Lack of parking can cause a lot of arguments and issues with neighbours.

Splann · 17/02/2021 09:22

I live in a popular UK seaside town 5 mins from the beach etc. Honestly I wouldn’t buy without your own parking. March to October it’s impossible to park. Not tricky, impossible! It would soon become a big headache for you.

Viviennemary · 17/02/2021 09:24

Keep looking. House A is by far the best house but no parking is an issue that can't be solved. And then a business opposite too. House B sounds far too small.