Help us choose which house…

[CherryBlossom321]

Firstly - posting links would be far too identifying and I enjoy my personal privacy on forums, so won’t be doing that. I’d be really appreciative of any thoughts, as we’re finding the decision quite tricky…we’re a family of four (mum, dad, two teenagers).

House 1 - Largest option, semi detached in exclusive area (maintenance fee applies). Three double bedrooms (just!), no work required. No drive way, off street parking. Living spaces separated (a kitchen diner then seperate lounge). Small garden. Absolute top of budget, bit of a financial stretch.

House 2 - Less square footage, semi detached in exclusive area (maintenance fee applies). Three good size bedrooms (would be a stretch to fit a double in third). No work required. No drive way, off street parking. Fully open plan layout downstairs. Small garden. Middle of budget parameters.

House 3 - Smallest option. Detached with double drive way. Sought after, but not exclusive area. No maintenance fees. Three bedrooms, two double, one box. Two separate reception rooms. Larger, tiered garden. Some cosmetic work required (painting and carpets). Lower end of budget, would keep us feeling more financially comfortable.

I’m leaning in a certain direction, curious to know the thoughts of others and what you might choose in this scenario please?

3 for the parking and price.

Three. Off street parking, no maintenance fees, no attached neighbours. It would be an easy choice for me. Open plan living would rule out two straight away.

Three, I’d never have no parking again if I could avoid it.

Option 3. Prefer separate reception rooms, plus it’s detached and has parking.

Could you convert the loft of house 3? I’d talk to your children about their feelings about a box room though, some people like small bedrooms (my older brother and my stepdaughter for example!).

Number 3. Detached house envy.

House 3. Can you extend in the future if it's the cheapest option?

I’d go for open plan, exclusive area, or turn H3 into an open plan one. Our family, with teens, are always in our kitchen/dining/living room, and we do like it that way...depends on your family really. We like seeing each other - if they need their space and privacy, they can always go to their bedroom, but open plans naturally brings everyone together and increases family time. We are a busy family, with kids after school clubs etc, means we only have 2-3 hours before bed really, so love spending it together at the hub of the house.

That’s a good idea, yes!

3rd.
no maintenance fees and potential

Thanks, this is an interesting perspective. Part of me worries about overwhelm all being in one space, but they do spend lots of time in their rooms. But maybe it would increase our time spent together overall?…

No 3, detached, no maintenance fees (I assume others are not freehold and this is).

No contest for me, 3.

I’d always go for detached. We grew up in a house where I had the box room and it was fine. I was off to uni at 18 anyway.

Another 3 vote here. Detached, driveway and cheaper. But, I am not quite sure what you mean by ‘exclusive’ vs less so though & it could be important. Is 3 still in a good / nice location? Just not somewhere you need to pay a maintenance fee? Well maintained neighbourhood, quiet?

I wouldn't go for a box room if there are 4 of you, especially now you are saying the family is ND so I guess you all need some space.
If you can park on street near your house reasonably easily, then lack of driveway isn't really an issue. Detached or semi wouldn't be an issue for me, but open plan would be a pain. A separate reception room gives you plenty of options.
The maintenance charges may or may not be an issue - find out what they covers, how it is run, what the annual charges are likely to be, and whether there is a sinking fund.
I think I'd go for option 1.

If you loved house 2 then could you re divide the rooms with stud walls if open plan living didn't suit?
I personally wouldn't want maintenance fees, especially as they can rise down the line. Which in itself would then rule house 1 out if I was already stretching myself.
House 3 sounds like it has more going for it, and the extra money could always be put into improving and even extending further down the line.

I think choosing somewhere with no off street parking when you are likely to end up with 3+ cars is not a good idea.

They’re all freehold.

Both relatively new developments. 1 and 2 are on the same private road built within the grounds of a beautiful sprawling old building which was converted into apartments. 3 is same area but not private. It does seem quiet.

I'd also go option 3 as I don't like the sound of maintenance fees. You have no control over them and they could easily escalate rapidly

I would be worried about this.

Option 3: you could put in a garden room, convert the loft or build an extension. If it has a garage you could convert that. Lots of options.

We had the traditional and awkward 3 bedrooms with one being a box room and as the kids got older, we had a loft extension which solved the problem - although beware of summer heat rising. My neighbours have a garden building for their teens to use - luckily it's not a loud music hangout!

So #3 sounds like you can overcome the issues as time goes on plus add value to the property. It's also great when they fly the nest as extra rooms can be used as hobby rooms, tv room, all sorts of things!

If you zone it out it really has the best of both worlds. I can cook whilst ds watches TV and we chat, dd on the laptop on the island whilst bickering or chatting with ds etc. Or everyone can silently do their own thing but we're still present. If we had separate living room, dining room, kitchen we'd all be different places. I think the flow and zoning of the house really does have an effect on how people live and the dynamics of daily life. Open plan draws people together I feel, and I lived in both types of houses. Teen has a desk in his room so can go there but usually ends up downstairs unless he wants to focus on some project or study. For us it works.