Head or heart over choosing a house?

[stripeyknitwear]

Just as the title says really, head or heart when choosing a property? For context we have two properties we've viewed we both love but very different. 1. Older style property, semi-rural, just about enough space, not in the nicest area but out of town so step straight into the countryside. 2. Period cottage, gorgeous character, slightly more space inside but lacking enough parking, in a very lovely, popular, affluent village with better schools nearby. The price difference is about £70,000 so number 2 would stretch us but the house is just beautiful, number 1 is nice enough, probably not a forever home, but would leave us with money spare. I know it's very much a first world problem but have you picked head over heart or vice versa?

Stretch for perfect if it’s doable.

Never go with your heart when buying property. For most people it’s the biggest financial commitment you will ever make, there’s no room for sentimentality.

It’s not head or heart for me - go with the one in the better/more suitable location.

Have you considered that maybe neither is suitable for you?

Property 2 seems to tick more boxes using head and heart.

It’s my kinda place - pretty but with things that will keep the value high such as popular village & good schools.

2:if you can afford it.

If the more expensive property would be a forever home it is worth the stretch as moving house in the future will incur transactional costs.

A better location with better schools is also worth the investment as more likely to hold value and location is the one thing you can’t improve in a property.

Don’t gloss over the parking issues though.
It’s easy to say you can live with restricted parking when you are dazzled by the house. Think of scenarios in poor weather when you have a car full of kids / groceries/ dogs whatever.
Also, will people who visit you be able to park?

It doesn’t need to be one or the other. Find a place that ticks the practical boxes, including affordability, that you also love. As a pp said, it’s the biggest financial commitment you will make so I think it’s also important to feel excited and positive about it.
My first property was a one bed flat but I bloody loved it and couldn’t wait to move in.
I’d try to make the finances work for the second house. Location is one thing you can’t change once you’re in.

Having lived in a property with restricted parking, I wouldn't put myself in that situation again.

It's fine if everyone around you is fair about the situation, but you only need one or two people to make it an incredibly stressful situation.

You need to examine the parking issue more. You only need to look on here to see that it's a life ruiner.

Both are definitely suitable and we would be happy in either it's just a toss up between them at the moment.

Thanks all, all good points for me to think about. The parking issue could be resolved with losing some of the rear garden so at least not an issue forever just initially

2 sounds like it will hold value better

What is 1 like for schools?

HE, given how things are you need to really check you can afford 2, and if not, keep looking perhaps?

Location is a huge factor, I think.

Never go for ‘nice enough’. But don’t just follow your heart. Decide what your dealbreakers are, decide what your maximum budget is. Compromise on neither. But you’ve got to really like your house. So that, for me, would be the final dealbreaker.

From what you’ve said, I think you need to keep looking.

If no. 2 will stretch you financially, how will you cope with any unexpected issues or repairs? What do you know about the cost of utilities? I'm not sure I'd want to purchase an older property without a reasonable financial buffer, especially when there are still big question marks over interest rates, property values, cost of living etc.

If you like them both and would be happy in either of them I'd go for cheaper. Not so much head or heart I guess. Mind you I'm a firm believer in the atmosphere of a house. I always know from walking in if a house is right for me.

2 looks a better bet bar the parking. Are you sure you'd be allowed to make a drive on it?
Parking conflicts are horrible to live with, if they blow up.