Which house would you buy- newish build or doer upper?

[Purple89]

Really struggling between two houses! Such a big decision and I know ultimately it's one my DH and I have to make but very grateful for any insights or thoughts others have to help us decide.

House 1
Victorian detached.
Visually stunning - a show stopper from the outside. Period features.
750k so top of our budget but will have some savings to do urgent work when we first move in. However will take us a long time to get it how we want it, we both work 4 days a week each and have a toddler.
Needs as a minimum- chimney fixing, cellar tanking, downstairs loo reconfiguring (it's accessible only from the outside at the mo), garden clearing (it's a total mess). Kitchen isn't fitted. However, it is liveable.
Beautiful views, affluent and highly regarded area, and in the catchment for excellent state schools (have a nearly 2 year old DD).
Garden needs clearing out and doing but would be nice big garden for DD.
No garage but there is scope to add one given there is a space for it, and there is a driveway.

House 2
Newish build (maybe 5 or so years ago).
Stone built and a pretty house but not as visually beautiful as house 1.
Seller built it themselves to live in so everything very high standard. Beautiful kitchen and bathrooms.
Detached
In a lovely village which seems very friendly and family oriented, but area is not as 'prestigious' as House 1. However, on a nice cul de sac (not a new build estate). Walking distance to local pub and shop, park and village hall.
Local schools rubbish so would send her private. However, the private school is excellent and walking distance from this house.
We wouldn't need to do anything to it apart from make it our style.
Garden is smaller than house 1 but already done.
600k price tag so 150k cheaper than house 1.
There is a single garage.

Both are similar size.

Argh we are TORN. Any thoughts welcome!

I lived my whole adult life in a series of fixer uppers, to be frank, they were only ever finished when they were being sold for someone else to enjoy.

I would go for the modern one every time.

i would choose house 2 in a flash. It sounds great!
the old Victorian detached house usually equals money pit.

House 2

It's way cheaper. It sounds like you'll need to spend a lot on house 1 to bring it up to where you want it.

House 2 you just need to put your mark on it.

If your lives are already busy, it could be a struggle to find the time.

Could the views for house 1 ever be developed?

Does house 1 have access to similar amenities as house 2?

Thanks so much! My understanding is there has been a change in circumstances- the seller has moved to Devon (totally different part of country to where I am) and is renting there then going to buy. So I don't think it's about build quality (but a good point to bear in mind for survey).

House 2 without question.

I'd go 1 but I'm a glutton for punishment.

Thank you for your post! Very helpful. The other thing about House 1 is that I am less familiar with the area than house 2 (as house 2 is quite close to where we live now). However, there seems to be a nice vibe about the house 1 area and there is definitely a pub, shop and cafe in walking distance. It's just very hilly!

The views from house 1 are sensational, it is on a hull overlooking moors. We could see them from our bathroom and one of the bedrooms. Very special.

No such views from house 2.

Hill not hull!

House 1 every time!

I'd go House 2. So easy to just move in and start living straight away, and you'll soon figure out how you want to make it to your style as you live in it. The fact that it's $150k cheaper, and not the money and time pit that House 1 sounds like = major bonus!

House 2.

I live in a Victorian money pit, and I've had to learn so much about Victorian homes. For example: never, ever tank a cellar, it just traps moisture that will come out as damp elsewhere. Instead, learn about the materials used and treat them with respect. It's all about letting the house breathe...

So if you do go for House 1, you need to learn about houses from that period, and you need to learn a lot because most builders you talk to have no clue, so you'll throw away money if you listen to them...

No 1 every time for me.

I don’t think new houses ever have the character. Plus the location, the schools…

The rest of it just sounds cosmetic, you’ve got as long as you like to resolve that.

I have spent my life living in draughty old Victorian houses however and feel very at home in them.

Thank you all so much for your replies so far. This is incredibly interesting and, honestly, not what I expected the response to be!

I keep flitting back and forth. I worry we will regret it whatever we decide. E.g. if we go for house 1, will we not be able to afford nice holidays etc because we've put all our money in the house and be totally stressed. Whereas if we go for house 2 will I always wonder what could have been, and resent the lack of beautiful cornices and traditional fireplaces!?

Whatever we decide, this is our forever home now and our home to raise our little girl in. So i know we have to make the decision carefully.

House 2. In my experience, it gets very tedious living in a doer upper: the hassle of getting work done and spending money on it. I love Victorian houses (and live in one) but would look to buy something like your house number 2 in future.

House 2 , you have a small child , enjoy their childhood without having to fix up a house .

House I without a doubt. The views and garden alone would sway me

Modern one & get on actually living , enjoying life . Worrying about chimneys etc is just a big headache imo

House 2

House 1, without a doubt, because it sounds as though that's the one you love. It also sounds quite special, and it's liveable now - you can do it up over time. You would also have the excellent state schools, and wouldn't be paying private school fees.

... I really, really want to see house 1 now!

How would the £150k saving compare to what you would have to pay in school fees? Might you have to find school fees for a second or third child as well? You’d effectively get the extra £150k back upon selling, whereas the school fees are more of an investment for your children (although I guess they’d inherit the house anyway so that might not be a consideration for you).

I like the sound of house 1…do you think you could do a cheeky offer and free up the renovation money that way?

Modern one 100%. You will never end up doing everything you want to the other one, life will get in the way and you will get used to it the way it is and just put up with it It will also be a constant money pit.

Move into the nice modern one and enjoy your life with your little one.

Newer for sure. First house sounds like hell to me, I'm not patient enough for a doer upper and hate it when we've needed to have trades people in!

You all make SUCH good points.

I also find it stressful whenever trades are in and I'm such a type A personality so I worry about my ability to cope!

People have picked up on how much I love house 1 and I really do, in the sense that when you stand outside, it literally makes you go 'WOW'. Well it did us anyway. But I and my DH are frightened about taking it on.

Re school fees, we are definitely only having 1 due to a pretty horrid birth and health issues caused by it. Love her to bits, but definitely only having one. School fees, even without VAT, we are looking at 14k a year primary and 18-20k a year secondary. So a heck of a lot. I do also like the idea of having more of a 'say' in her education though. And house 2 is in an area I know and feel comfortable in. If we stay where we are, we'd be sending her to the private school near house 2 and I've actually already looked round and love the school.