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Original poster

We finally accepted an offer! JFF - help us pick a house 😁

99 replies

BunnyWilliams · 03/02/2025 14:15

I feel like screaming from the rooftops! After being on the market since mid-September and only having 4 viewings since then, I am so happy that we're in this position. Our buyers viewed a couple of weeks ago and then instantly asked for a second viewing. They told me then and there (I showed them round) that they were head over heels with the house and wanted it. They weren't proceedable though.

Well, they've had an offer from a cash buyer this weekend, so all being well, we're getting this train on the road!

Just for fun, help us pick a house! Our main criteria are somewhere rural, somewhere with a big-ish garden and/or some land. We're currently in an old house with lots of character so we want the same. Top budget is 700k. I love interior design, so don't mind things looking old fashioned, although would probably have to do this slowly, depending on the house. We have 3 DC - 2 boys and a girl.

House 1 (this the one we viewed first back in August and have loved it ever since): https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/149316950

House 2 (Not too sure about the garden but love the space inside, although it all needs decorating):https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150273566

House 3 (We haven't viewed this one yet): https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/155066987#/?channel=RES_BUY

We've got viewings/second viewings at all 3 properties this week and hoping to make a decision. All 3 are chain free.

Check out this 4 bedroom detached house for sale on Rightmove

4 bedroom detached house for sale in Wycoller Road, Trawden, Colne, Lancashire, BB8 for £699,950. Marketed by Armitstead Barnett, Clitheroe

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/149316950

OP posts:
Lemonbalm8 · 03/02/2025 14:22

I like house #1 but it has a small kitchen, might need rearranging.

Floorplan for #2 is not great, one bedroom off another.

#3 seems also a bit narrow and small bedrooms

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 03/02/2025 14:24

3

Original poster
BunnyWilliams · 03/02/2025 14:25

Lemonbalm8 · 03/02/2025 14:22

I like house #1 but it has a small kitchen, might need rearranging.

Floorplan for #2 is not great, one bedroom off another.

#3 seems also a bit narrow and small bedrooms

I've already got a Pinterest board for that kitchen 😆 We'd redo it to encompass the whole room as a traditional farmhouse kitchen/diner and keep all the plumbing over where the existing kitchen is and make it an open butler's pantry-type area.

OP posts:
strangeandfamiliar · 03/02/2025 14:28

The first one, assuming there's no flood risk from the river. I wouldn't want a semi, especially if I was moving somewhere that rural. All 3 are beautiful though!

Turmerictolly · 03/02/2025 14:31

I think 1 and 3 are the nicest but would also be concerned about flooding with both. Both need kitchens redoing.

Nannyfannybanny · 03/02/2025 14:33

First one, depending on flood risk. I like the inside of the 3rd one, but would never live in a semi again

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 03/02/2025 14:33

House one : what are all the other buildings immediately opposite , industrial or agricultural 🤔
High ceilings = difficult to heat. I had a room like the sitting room, it was about three degrees warmer at the top of the rafters than the floor. If we’d stayed , I would have had the ceiling put back)

House two ( had a house like this) quite dark, mullions are very difficult to keep clean. upstairs is v. Awkward layout, presumably it was two cottages and an outbuilding….

House three is a good layout, except for the necessity to walk through the sitting room to reach every other room…..but not detached.

i would keep looking, personally.

Original poster
BunnyWilliams · 03/02/2025 14:33

strangeandfamiliar · 03/02/2025 14:28

The first one, assuming there's no flood risk from the river. I wouldn't want a semi, especially if I was moving somewhere that rural. All 3 are beautiful though!

I prefer to be detached too. No gamble on neighbours then, especially with the shared entry point on the 3rd.

There's no historical flooding for the house next to the river. I preemptively contacted the environmental agency about a month ago. It's a good few metres below the level of the house and a shallow river so I think it would be pretty unlikely for anything to ever happen 🤞

OP posts:
wipeywipe · 03/02/2025 14:36

Which one is closest to the dcs school? They are amazing houses for the money but seem a little isolated, how do teenagers get about?

Original poster
BunnyWilliams · 03/02/2025 14:37

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 03/02/2025 14:33

House one : what are all the other buildings immediately opposite , industrial or agricultural 🤔
High ceilings = difficult to heat. I had a room like the sitting room, it was about three degrees warmer at the top of the rafters than the floor. If we’d stayed , I would have had the ceiling put back)

House two ( had a house like this) quite dark, mullions are very difficult to keep clean. upstairs is v. Awkward layout, presumably it was two cottages and an outbuilding….

House three is a good layout, except for the necessity to walk through the sitting room to reach every other room…..but not detached.

i would keep looking, personally.

Edited

Nothing else on the market, unfortunately. We're quite excited about 1 and 3 so don't feel like we'd be settling.

There aren't any other buildings immediately opposite house 1, so not sure what you've spotted. There are a few neighbours in houses. We are reasonably tidy. In our current house you walk straight into the living room so we're used to it! I'd prefer an entrance but it's not as common in these types of houses, unfortunately.

OP posts:
Original poster
BunnyWilliams · 03/02/2025 14:42

wipeywipe · 03/02/2025 14:36

Which one is closest to the dcs school? They are amazing houses for the money but seem a little isolated, how do teenagers get about?

House 1 is furthest by about 5 minutes. They are about 10 mins away from the school, but on the way to work for DH.

We live rurally as it is, in a small village with no pub, shop etc so it doesn't seem too daunting. When it comes to having teenagers, I think we'd have to be taxis and make use of local buses until they are able to drive. Not for everyone but very common around here. Most of their friends already live on farms in the sticks so they wouldn't be in the minority.

OP posts:
stickybear · 03/02/2025 14:47

I like the third one, the garden looks perfect for the children and the rooms are quirky and characterful without being unworkable! It sounds like your heart is well and truly with the first one though Grin it looks like it would be a beautiful 'forever home', although the river would worry me

wipeywipe · 03/02/2025 14:48

fair enough @BunnyWilliams I think 3 is my favourite

Crikeyalmighty · 03/02/2025 14:50

Hard for me as I don't like big houses in the middle of nowhere, but purely on house then I like the 3rd one most -

harriethoyle · 03/02/2025 14:54

Definitely do not go semi-detached - even if neighbours currently are lovely, if they sell to shockers, your rural idyll is ruined.

SerenStarEtoile · 03/02/2025 14:59

Hi OP

Like first one best, but no. 3 also ok. No. 2 seems a lot darker and I wouldn’t want to pay that much compared to the others.

Hope it all goes well for you.

Fifiesta · 03/02/2025 15:00

All are beautiful, but two are listed - any renovation work would be more expensive, at risk of being turned down/take ages to be agreed and have you jumping through hoops. However we are not all the same, and my opinion is coloured by having just completed a renovation on a normal house…

Original poster
BunnyWilliams · 03/02/2025 15:01

harriethoyle · 03/02/2025 14:54

Definitely do not go semi-detached - even if neighbours currently are lovely, if they sell to shockers, your rural idyll is ruined.

You're right. It does put me off.

OP posts:
FKAT · 03/02/2025 15:03

I'm in a poky London terrace and have no helpful advice but just wanted to say what a gorgeous dilemma to have. Congratulations on your sale and good luck with whatever of these lovely houses you choose.

CerealPosterHere · 03/02/2025 15:10

I love house 1 and 3. House 2 doesn’t seem in the same league. I prefer the quirky upstairs of house 3, beams, the bed being in a sort of alcove in the main bedroom, little low down window, twisty staircase.

But looking at the floor plans house 1 might be more practical downstairs? House 3 you might be walking through rooms to get to rooms?

flood potential for both? I see rivers/streams.

CerealPosterHere · 03/02/2025 15:12

Didn’t realise number 3 was a semi, that would put me off.

Rina66 · 03/02/2025 15:17

Number 1, congratulations!

Original poster
BunnyWilliams · 03/02/2025 15:48

FKAT · 03/02/2025 15:03

I'm in a poky London terrace and have no helpful advice but just wanted to say what a gorgeous dilemma to have. Congratulations on your sale and good luck with whatever of these lovely houses you choose.

Thank you. We're very lucky. You're right, it's a lovely problem to have!

OP posts:
Original poster
BunnyWilliams · 03/02/2025 15:49

Thank you, all! Revelling in this short-lived fun part before the stress begins!

OP posts:
Chillilounger · 03/02/2025 15:53

You clearly like number one best (and rightly so - it's a lovely house). Good luck op.

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