Heart vs Head - WWYD?

[Smokeahontas]

I have seen two houses that I’m considering an offer on, but can’t decide on which. I don’t plan on moving for a very, very long time again!

House 1, Heart
This is the one I got a lovely ‘home’ feeling from immediately. Asking price is £180k. Needs a new bathroom & redecorating to my own taste, but that’s it. The decor isn’t heinous, just not my thing. Would be fairly quick to sort both these out and I have the money to do it. I think there’s some room for negotiation on the asking.

House 2, Head
A slightly better area. Asking is £190k. However, it’s stuck in the 80’s and needs rewired, kitchen, bathroom, probably replastered once the emulsioned embossed wallpaper comes off. How it’s currently rented out is beyond me but anyway. This would obviously be a long term project. I didn’t get the same feeling as I did in house one, but I think that’s partially due to the amount of work I see ahead. I would have the funds for the rewire, bathroom & decorating the living room / my bedroom. The kitchen would have to wait as would the rest of the house. I don’t think there’s much, if any, room for negotiations.

My house is sale agreed & I’m a few weeks into that, solicitor instructed and already working on my sale. I have an AIP & enough equity for a 75% LTV mortgage. Have a surveyor waiting to go as well.

What would you go for?

House 1 without a doubt - it’s cheaper, less work and you clearly like it more. Unless there’s something awful about the area you didn’t mention!

A.

I couldn’t be bothered with the upheaval of B and more so if I didn’t get the homely feel to it.

First one. You could be lumbered with a tenant for the next six months and more with the second.

The only area difference really is house B is in a quieter street where prices are always slightly higher to A.

House 1. Go with heart. It's hard to define what "home" feels like, so if you got it, then go with it.

House 1

I've modernised houses and it's not as fun as the TV makes it look, it's stressful and very very messy. Won't be doing that again.

Also if house 2 has tennants they may not leave when they're supposed to and hold up the sale progress.

House 1, you clearly like it more! I don't really see any obvious advantages to choosing house 2.

@RevolutionRadio I did it with this house & swore never again. So why it’s even crossing my mind...!

You don't have anything positive to say about house 2 other than slightly better area. That's not enough to outweigh all the positives for house 1, especially considering all the work involved.

Building material costs have shot through the roof and supply of things like cement and timber is limited. Make sure you factor that in.

I think we know what the answer is In all honesty, I did too.

Are you going to be working from home longer term? If so that's the only reason I'd probably lean a little towards B, but only a bit. If not, then probably a moot point and A definitely!

@readytosell Yes - I’m permanent WFH.