Sell or extend

[foodlovefood]

DP and I, both mid 40s, have a great wage and no kids. We have decided to move in together. But we each have our own houses. His is too far away to commute to work and mine is a better location for work and socialising.

however I have a small new build 3 bedroom house. Small master, small double and box room which I use as an office. My downstairs is compact and we would live on top of each other.

he practically lives at mine. It’s going well but we could benefit from a snug or conservatory to have space to break out from each other. He loves playing computer games and I at times just want to watch trashy tv. We also work from home 50% of our time and we could share my office, but would have to timetable it. I need my spare room for my dad who stays often.

he has suggested we build an orangery or conservatory. Invest his equity into my house. We could be mortgage free. But this would take up space on my sunny patio in my small garden. my house is ideal location and no mortgage would allow financial freedom.

or we buy a house with the downstairs space we want. It may mean a mortgage for 10/15 years.

what to do?

Conservatories aren’t great tbh, unless you’re spending £££££ for a proper roof, rather than a conservatory roof, in which case just do a proper extension and build an actual fully usable room.
Conservatories are far too hot to sit in in summer, far too cold to sit in in winter. Even with central heating installed in there.
Some people are actually finding a conservatory is devaluing their house these days. I’d never buy a house with one again.

Although being mortgage-free is very attractive, I wouldn’t want to sacrifice my garden. New builds typically aren’t very generous with outside space so encroaching on that could ruin your garden as well as make it difficult to sell in the future.

Also, conservatories can be cold in the winter and roasting in the summer. I had one and liked it but it was a bit of a bastard to get the temperature right. If he’s got gaming equipment he’d have to be careful not to get it too hot - that could be tricky in a conservatory.

Honestly, I’d move and get a house that’s right. You both work and paying a mortgage for another 10 years is a small price to pay for a space you both enjoy being in, imo. I usually find older houses are more generous with space inside and out.

Obvious question and I know it’s not what you asked (sorry) but how long have you been together? I’d live together fully for a while before making a big financial commitment. Staying at each other’s houses isn’t the same as officially living together… Could he use your office to game on evenings/weekends temporarily?