Which house dilemma!

[Thedreamer28]

please help!

We had an offer accepted on a house which is great. It has 4 bedrooms what we desperately need. But it needs a new kitchen and bathroom and the garden needs fixing.

Then the next day another house came on the market which was a newish build (built 20 years ago) it also has 4 bedrooms but comes with en-suite and a downstairs toilet and the garden is beautifully done. The garage has been converted into a playroom/workshop.

The newbuild will go for more we know.

My dilemma is which house do we go for?

The first house has a smaller living room but has bigger bedrooms for each of my 3 kids. But no en-suite and needs work doing to it. Smallest bedroom is 8"5 x 6"5.

I feel like the newer house doesn't really need anything doing to it and it has more to offer with extra toilets and ensuite. Garden is already done and has own driveway. The kitchen is small but has a bigger living room. But the smallest bedroom is tiny it will fit in a single bed with a chest of drawers and that's it. 7"8 x 6"6.

Im trying to think logical and remember that my youngest won't be small forever and maybe it's better to go for the first house as bedroom is slightly bigger. But then I think oh she has a playroom in the newer house so she could have her stuff in there and as she gets older she can chill in there and the bedroom will be for sleep mainly.
Kids as they get older want to spend more time in their bedrooms don't they and I have to also think about when they become young adults and if they are still living with me.

Then I think about well the older house only has 1 bathroom. The living room is smaller too. We can move in straight away with both houses it's just that the older house will need a new kitchen and bathroom at some point. N garden needs doing. Shared driveway. We got it at a good price. But will need to bid higher for the new house.

please help me come to a decision!! We really need to get on the housing ladder too as we are 43 now.
I will have to put in an offer on the newer house today and then pull out of the older one if that's what we go for.

Would the playroom be suitable for a bedroom as she gets older? Insulated properly etc?

What sort of price difference do you think it'll be between the two?

Have you viewed the new one?

4 bedrooms 1 bathroom is not a good balance and very problematic seeing as the one bathroom needs to be replaced and that means living without a bathroom for about 2 weeks ( though they do keep the loo going you can barely access it while the bathroom fitter is working in there).

I think house 2 sounds more practical for your needs if you can get it at an affordable price. Both bedroom 4s are tiny and what I personally would consider studies but still that’s another topic.

Yes the playroom has underfloor heating. Maybe my son would sleep there. The owners did say the kids have slept in there too.

The price difference I'm not sure as it could go for 10k more. The house we have been accepted for went for 233. The new house is on at 230 but probably will be in a bidding war of best and final offers.

I was just going to say same as @Pootles34. Can the garage /playroom be converted to a bedroom at a later date? If it's big enough to put a small bathroom in too it could be a great bedroom. Maybe for one of the olders to move in to at some point so you can keep the youngest on the same floor as you.

I think the new build sounds better to be honest!

Another thing to take into account @Thedreamer28 is that shared driveways can be a nightmare

they have an agreement in place that no1 parks on the driveway but happy to change it. We would just park outside the house really.

Personally, based on all you have said, I would go with the newer house.

You’ll outgrow the newer house soon I think

the old house- can you extend one day?

Well you run the risk of not getting the new house if you are outbid or the vendors prefer another buyer for any reason. If the vendor of the first house then finds out you’re bidding on other houses they may pull out of your existing sale. But it doesn’t sound like you are dead set on the first house anyway.

I thought that too 4 bedrooms 1 bathroom. I could maybe put in a downstairs toilet in the older house. But we don't have a lot of money for renovation either. We could do a new kitchen and then leave the rest till later.

4 bedroom houses don't come up in the area we need to be a lot and at a price we can afford. The schools are an issue as we tried to get the kids into new schools but can't as all the schools are already full.

Both houses sound great for you.

Which neighbourhood would you better like to live in for the next fifteen - twenty years?

They are both in the same area. The newer house my eldest can walk to secondary school. The older house she would get on the tram which she does already now. Both areas are fine to live. The older house road is nicer and more open and the newer house roads are a little cramped being on a newer estate.

If you factor in the cost of new kitchen and eventually new bathroom, downstairs loo etc into house 1 then it doesn’t sound like such a good price as these things are all expensive.

I would definitely try to get house 2 if you prefer it - slightly more expensive to buy but no work needed for years.

Will there be parking for three cars should your children buy a car?

The newer house has 2 spaces down the side of the house. The older house we would be parking on street.

If you can do so without losing the first, I would bid for the second. Assuming that you like each actual house style etc.

The small bedroom could house a high bed with desk and shelving underneath perhaps.

There is room to extend slightly into the garden. But I doubt we would ever be able to find the money.

House two sounds more ideal.

I think just go with which one you feel is right which sounds like the new one. Both the 4th bedrooms are too small so having another room for that child to play/chill in later on is an advantage. We have a bedroom 9x7 which is too small for an older child, once they approach teenage years they do not really want a high sleeper bed.
I agree that only one toilet might be very annoying but it wouldn't put me off the first house on its own. I would look at things that can't be changed, such as the size of the garden, privacy etc as well.

House 2 sounds like a much better option if it doesn't stretch your budget too much. There isn't much difference at all in the two smallest bedrooms and the rest of house 2 sounds much better for you.