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

[BunnyWilliams]

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.

All three are quite nice, but all are too close to neighbours for me. No 1 is detached, but the neighbours are right there. Land is nice, but it’s always extra work.

I have a converted horse box cafe- kiosk on my land for walkers.

I agree about the neighbours, but it's the best of what we can get and ticks all of the other boxes, so I'm happy to compromise. At least it's not at all overlooked.

How do you find having your kiosk? Do you open all year round/during the week? Is it worth what I imagine is a lot of effort?

I will! 😁

Thank you all for your help and comments. After talking tonight, we've ruled out number 2 for a variety of factors.

We're viewing both 1 and 3 one after the other on Wednesday so I'm hopeful that it will give us some clarity. I've been spending the evening making a pros and cons list 😅

Love 1), but flood risk was my first thought, and why hasn’t such a lovely house as that not sold since August? Overpriced? New houses planned nearby? Etc.

Everything in that price bracket has been really slow to move around here. It has actually been on the market since last February!

At a guess, I'd say that it's because it's relatively isolated and the house is a bit old fashioned and small-ish in comparison to the amount of land. It's in a conservation village in a country park (part of the Bronte trail) so definitely no planned works nearby!

House one!!
Also I can't believe you can get such magical story book cottage homes for the same price as my London flat!

I know, right! But three miles to the nearest train station! I rule out houses here that are more than 0.3m from the nearest station!

I used to open all year round but after a year or so found it best to open weekends and school holidays. Obviously it’s weather dependent too. I enjoy it. Because you can’t drive to it I get really nice customers. People come on horses, walk or cycle. It’s not too hard once you get into the swing of it. Shame I can’t post a photo today.

No 1

I don't like the Skipton house at all. It. Looks. Like it needs more than paint.

Th Colne house thst you have seen is lovely but quite expensive for the space compared with the others and the bedrooms are quite uneven. That river is concerning as well. It's cute but so close to the house and quite high.

And, I know you'd love to be rural but think about your children's independence when they're in their teens. Would they safely be able to catch a bus to go and see their mates or attend an activity?

House 1

I live in the SE,so am amazed at how much house you get for your money, and the low council tax rating. Number 3 here, would probably cost almost twice that and be a band G.

I would check for insurability before falling in love with any house near a body of water.

House 3 is lovely, on the whole
House 2 in second place

First house for sure, and I say that as someone who doesn’t like beams! The height of the ceilings is a bonus in a house of that type & age. Lots of lovely light flooding in and the views are sublime. If you need to heat a large space, these infra red panels are game changers. They come in picture and mirror options as well as plain panels.
www.herschel-infrared.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOop5lkzbsb9dPnhSuq2q558eg5HRP3Qu53i4lqf1tq0xv2ppPimB

House 1!

I’ve fallen in love with 1 and I only have eyes for that one and would need to have it 😍

Already done so. It's higher as expected but still insurable. The stream is shallow and metres below the level of the house, so it would have to rise an incredible amount to even come close to nearing road level.

Ooh thank you! I've never heard of these before, so that's great to know.

House number 1 was my favourite by quite a way but this seals the deal! How exciting!

You seem confident re the flood risk, so on the proviso that’s definitely ok I’d say house number 1 is a winner. You could probably show me 10 more houses tbh and I’d still prefer this one, it’s a real beauty with loads of space.

I know you’ve checked historical flooding data but have you looked to see how this house is classified now? On the flood map is it classified as low, medium or high risk?

Thanks for all making me think really carefully about the flood risk.

@SpidersAreShitheads It's classified as very low to low risk at that part of the beck.

There's no historical flood reports for the land where the house sits but I'm going to knock on neighbours' doors when we're there on Wednesday and see if I can find out any more. I've also gone back to the agent and asked again about whether there has ever been anything.

I did find one article about a bad flood in the 1600s but I think that was further up the village where the stream is level with the path.

During my late-night research, I also found some really fun old pictures of the well that used to sit opposite the house. I love things like this!

@BunnyWilliams Here’s hoping that #1 lives up to expectations. And if you decide to go ahead with it, please let us nosey MNs know 😆 Good luck!

I love house three it’s beautiful and great space upstairs, I love the entrance hall.

I really like house two but you have to go through the principal bedroom to get to bedroom two which wouldn’t work for me. Bedrooms 4 and 5 would have to be knocked into one to make the room sizes for the DC more fair.

not a big fan of house one.

You can't buy house 1 because I'm buying it......

I love house 1 so that would be my top choice but of course it is a lot more money so need to think about affordability /how much spare money left.

What is the smaller bedroom like, is it suitable for bed, chest of drawers, wardrobe etc no boxed in stairwell etc

Also main bathroom is tiny and ensuite is huge which is a bit bizarre imo

But I do like it best but they are all lovely, which one is your heart telling you to buy??