This cottage for a family of 3 (contains link)? What is your opinion?

[AfterTheRainComesSun]

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137657495#/media?channel=RES_BUY&id=media0

Within budget (lower end) in the desired area.

I think it's a lovely house but I'm from the south Wales valleys and the size of the house isn't too different from what you get around here.

I genuinely can't get over the price though, it's crazy what houses are going for in some places but if you think it's reasonable as you know the area then go for it. If it was in my area it would probably be up for £150k max and that's pushing it with a two bedroom, the difference a postcode can make.....

That's much better than the first one.

We chose space over looks as we're in London and could not afford both but most people I know would not make the same choice. OP's choice is beautiful but small.

I think it's lovely! Great area and detached garage gives loads of options for office or teen den (assuming that's the garage in the pic). At 6/7 s/he can go downstairs to the toilet at night - and in the mean time if they need the toilet they'd probably wake you up anyway so skipping through your room wouldn't make much difference.

It's pretty, but the bathroom would put me off too much. Fine if you have a young child who is a heavy sleeper, but not for the longer term when a private bedroom is important for everyone, when nobody wants to be disturbed, and people's washing/toothbrushing/makeup etc schedules will all involve a lot of negotiation.

Have you viewed it in person OP?

If not I would definitely view it and the one that a PP linked just so you can see if you’d prefer more space or not.

I'd turn the staircase round, and put in a corridor to the upstairs bathroom. Make bedroom 1 bedroom 2 and bedroom 2 at the front become the main bedroom...

We had two kids in a cottage that size til they were 5 and 6. Fine and doable but you have to be Strict about the amount of stuff you have.
Half a million quid though.

I would move the staircase to the back left to give direct access to the b/room. Might then get rid of downstairs b/room to create a study.

I’ve lived in a house like this and having the buggy in the front room was really depressing - but maybe you are past that stage?

having no transitional space did feel a bit claustrophobic.

Its not tiny at all op. Perfectly big enough for an only child.

Half a million quid? For a 2 bed end of terrace? Fuck me the world's gone mad.

How in hells name do people afford this?

It’s lovely - but very little storage space, you would have to be super tidy

I think it’s lovely, great character, amazing garden, and two good size bedrooms, with an en suite and downstairs bathroom - it will be fine. And you say it a really nice area, so I’d go for it.

I would prefer the second one linked also. It had more space overall, but also more options for you to change layout, use and have privacy compared to the cottage.

I don't think it looks that small with 1 child. Yes old style 4 bed houses might have several down stairs sitting rooms etc but newer houses are built more like this, and that's a good size kitchen table so dining room sorted.

However,

Stairs are very right on front of the door. Imagine trying to get a large sofa in, will it fit?

And yes, the bathroom. Is your child dry at night? Will you expect them to come through your room or go downstairs?

My first house was that floorplan. We started as two and when we left ten years later there were five of us 😲. It was fine for two adults and two preschoolers so would be fine for three.

I see this everywhere ‘cottage’ when in fact it’s a terrace, front door opens onto lounge/garden/stairs, bathroom accessed through bedroom, and the photos elongating it to make it look far bigger than it is, not ideal for an older child but okay maybe for a baby

£475,000 what!

A terrace can be a cottage and a cottage can be in a terrace.

Whats the confusion?

This is a point well made too!!

I'd do this

The easiest way is to put the stairs to the side of the house, because its a end of terrace, you can have the front door on the side, stairs going up through the middle of the 2 current bedrooms with a corridor along the back bedroom to a bathroom.

We're currently in an identical house with 2 small DCs (they share a room but we need to move before DD (1) needs a bed so we're in the process of buying a slightly bigger maisonette). We have to do a toy rotation and kitchen space is a bit tight but we manage because the garage has such good storage.

I think it's fine if it's not going to be your forever home. Especially if it's in a good catchment area and reduces your commuting time, because that is worth more than money. You can buy this, pay down the mortgage a bit and build up equity then upsize when DS is bigger. It looks like the threshold for the next size of house is really close (assuming this house is the max of your budget) so 2-3 years down the line you could have the buying power for a decent 3 bed like the one linked upthread.

so 2-3 years down the line you could have the buying power for a decent 3 bed like the one linked upthread.

OP said the cottage was within budget at the lower end, so there's a chance they may actually be able to buy the other house linked. It would make a lot more sense to go for the 3 bed, rather than moving again in a few years time.

Heat will be escaping up those stairs, that puts me off plus there is lack of storage. With open plan it’s harder to heat overall. Bathroom through bedroom and straight in to sitting room are a no from me. However I appreciate you are down South and house prices are ridiculous. Where I live that would be about 190k. But I am someone who bought the smallest house on a really expensive road in a lovely area and a nice area beats space every time.

Good luck with your decision, I feel so sorry for young people and their housing situations.