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Original poster

A tale of two houses

17 replies

moveblues · 13/10/2021 16:51

Conundrum! Seeking mumsnetters advice
Apologies for double posting here today.

We have had an offer accepted on a house in a bohemian suburb area of a city we love. The house is at the limit of our budget but very characterful (pre war). It's potentially a great investment as a train station is shortly due to be built there. The house is totally fine as it is but to meet our 5-10 year needs would require an extension. Greater commute, further from family but in the heart of that area of the city, and a very 'cool' place. Not the best house on the street but a good street! House average/low average cost wise for the road. Quiet road, not too busy, besides boy racers!

We have also been informed that a house we previously lost out on is back to market. It's quite a lot cheaper (say 40k) and meets our space needs very well. Less cool area of the city but good transport links. No structural work needed at all. Less of a commute, closer to family. The best house on a not so good street (more ££ by about £100k than other houses). Louder road nearby main road.

House 2 Very unlikely to go up in price significantly but more affordable. House 1 I would say is likely to move up significantly but less £££ to actually do it up given price, could cause stress...

This would be a 10-15 year house.

We aren't sure! Wwyd?
Please offer any wisdom you have and hopefully this will be my last thread about houses for a bit!

OP posts:
OnTheBenchOfDoom · 13/10/2021 17:22

Firstly, think about your day to day, how much time is added with the commute from house one? How often do you see you family and how much more time does this add for them coming to you or you going to them? How often will you take advantage of that area of the city?

Will the new train station impact parking with commuters driving to the station and parking in your street?

Have you lived through building works before and where will the money be coming from for the extension? What is the rough cost of said extension? Due to the age of the house would this potentially throw up other issues that will need addressing?

Realistically even with the increased value of house 1 how much would that reduce your mortgage payments by in terms of LTV? Or are you looking further down the line with selling? How long will you have to wait to see that benefit?

We chose a house for transport links and more disposable income every month. We could have paid more money for a different house elsewhere but chose the more comfortable option. This gave us chance to save up for a kitchen extension and a double garage conversion for a playroom which is now the teenagers' place to do homework/game whilst we still have the lounge. The extra money per month meant we could redecorate and refurbished as needed.

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 13/10/2021 17:23

@moveblues

dinkydino123 · 16/10/2021 08:50

I would go for house 1. You seem much more excited by it.

SoupDragon · 16/10/2021 08:55

Go and look at House 2 again.

I agree that you seem more excited by House 1 though. If you see House 2 having become invested in House 2 you might view it differently.

The best house on a not so good street

TBH, I think this phrase would put me off. I'd rather have House 1 as the "not best House on a good street".

MuchTooTired · 16/10/2021 09:01

I’d go for option one too, you seem way more in to it.

MargosKaftan · 16/10/2021 09:10

House 1, but only if you can do the work to make it a longer term home.

TheWeatherOutside · 16/10/2021 09:18

How soon is this train station being built?

You obviously love house one but it's going to make things more difficult for you.

EdgeOfTheSky · 16/10/2021 09:20

1 because if the quiet road and it sounds a nicer place to live.

JimJamJolly · 16/10/2021 13:43

Do you know the reason why house 2 is back on the market?
Could it be due to survey issues?

PegasusReturns · 16/10/2021 14:01

Always go for the worst house on the best street.

NoYOUbekind · 16/10/2021 14:11

I would never pay 100k more than the next house on the street (unless somehow there's a Victorian mansion on a street of new builds, maybe). If the houses are much of a muchness and you pay that amount more, you are going to be in a really sticky spot when it comes to selling on.

That said, commute time is something that makes a real and concrete difference to your daily life - I would weight it highly.

God I'm not much help am I Hmm

Auroreforet · 16/10/2021 14:14

Location, first every time.
Better to live in a flat in a good area than a mansion in a bad area.

crosstalk · 16/10/2021 16:03

No kids or schooling to consider?

MerryMarigold · 16/10/2021 16:07

Which one has the better garden?

Original poster
moveblues · 16/10/2021 21:05

@MerryMarigold

Which one has the better garden?
House 1 by miles...! It's a huge south west facing garden and it's bloody beautiful. House 2s garden was about half the size if that
OP posts:
Original poster
moveblues · 16/10/2021 21:06

@crosstalk

No kids or schooling to consider?
Not yet (planning for this). Schools near house 1 generally much better - mostly outstanding on ofstead
OP posts:
MerryMarigold · 16/10/2021 21:50

Go for the garden if you're planning kids

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