Longtime reader, first time poster. After reading what feels like 100s of property threads I've decided to post myself as we're really stressed and would appreciate any advice.
We have sold our house (under offer) and need to find our next place asap. Part of our reason for selling is we need to take £11k out of our property to pay off debts that are causing us too much stress, plus moving costs (this house also needs more work which we can't afford). So our budget for our next place is lower & we're struggling. Staying here isn't an option - the costs here coming up in the next year or two we can't handle & our incomes are low atm due to health issues. Hopefully our incomes will be better in 5 years time.
So here are the property options around us. We're in the North in a not exactly sought after town, but there are jobs here and we like it.
Option 1: Detached house (my husband's dream). But, we'd be moving really far out to a new build estate with nothing much around it except supermarket 10 mins drive away. Work will always be a 20-30 min commute along a motorway. Newish house (2005), good condition. Will cover our moving costs BUT will still leave us struggling to pay off debts because it won't let us pay off our debts as well.
Option 2: Semi detached, 80s house, with bedrooms and lounge all on the party wall. A little run down (needs redecorating) but not terrible. Kitchen is really small which I don't like. On an estate that used to be considered ok but is really going downhill, with a lot of antisocial behaviour issues & neglected gardens. Car dependent, but work would be 15 mins drive. Will pay off all debts.
Option 3: Ex-council house (50s), semi. Area is a mix of still some council houses (with residents wearing all black and grey sportwear), and private owners who have really done their gardens and houses beautifully. Rooms are big and spacious and very nicely decorated inside. One of the bedrooms and the kitchen is on the party wall. Shops are not walkable but it's near a bus route, if finances get tighter and we can't afford a car. Will pay off all our debts and leave us spare too.
Option 4: In the area we want to be in. House is possibly 60s or earlier, big. Semi with lounge and bedrooms on the party wall. Looks quite nicely decorated superficially but I suspect it might need a lot doing under the surface. Quiet road, 10 mins walk to shops etc. and near a bus route. Will pay off debts.
Option 5: In the area we want to be in. Late 1800s mid terraced. Only has on street parking. 5 mins walk to shops and near a bus route. Looks very nicely decorated / renovated inside. Will pay off debts.
Option 6: Near the area we want to be in, but would have to drive to shops. New-ish (mid 90s). Mid terraced. Driveway is a few houses down, not next to the house. Will pay off debts and leave us spare.
We're struggling with several factors here... we're scared of buying somewhere that might be a money pit (like where we are now). We hate how thin the walls are in our current house (60s), the noise from neighbours drives me crazy. We don't have much spare income and can't afford big house expenses. I get cold easily and worry about heating costs. I'm worried about being car reliant and feeling isolated, as I like walking to shops / library etc. We only have 1 car now which is a temp. loan we will have for another year, but after that we need to find the money to buy a car or go back to buses and cycling to work.
We're so stressed with talking about it and the decision making, we really need some help to sort through our options. It's just me and my husband (both late 30s), no children.