Please help us decide between these two houses

[Inneedofspace]

We are FTBs with young kids, who have always lived in a flat, so this would be our first house ever, and we are super excited (mostly about having a garden for the kids). Having always lived in a flat, we would love a detached property, but these are rare to come by within our budget, so we were thrilled to see one that matched our criteria recently (House 1, link below). We are obviously looking at all other houses in our area of interest, and we have found a lovely done-up semi-detached (House 2, also link below).

From what we can tell, house 1 will need some work done, but we are not sure about the extent of it, and how feasible that would be considering we are WFT and have young kids (we could stay in our rental for some time initially). House 2 seems ready to move in, but we are not sure if it would feel like we are living in someone else’s home (we will not have the money to change much unfortunately as it’s already at the top of our budget). We slightly prefer the location of House 2, but it will need to be extended some time down the line, as we would ideally need an extra room (so that the kids have separate rooms). We would probably prefer a terraced to a semi, just because a semi somehow seems like we are getting half of an ideal detached property (I am aware this probably sounds ridiculous to most…). We have viewings scheduled for both and are ready to make an offer, but not sure if we are considering everything here and if there is something crucial we are missing. We are somewhat familiar with both areas, schools and catchments, but the house itself is more difficult to judge, so we would appreciate any advice please. Which would you go for?

House 1: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/170883104#/?channel=RES_BUY
House 2: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/170881130#/?channel=RES_BUY

Thank you for any advice and thoughts.

Why house 1? House 2 (apart from aesthetics) appears to be a better location and a more family friendly layout without needing huge sums spent initially. A loft conversion can be some years away.

Because house 2 is a semi and OP stated they would prefer a detached.
because house 2 has one less bedroom.
because house 2 is £75k more expensive and needs extending which they don’t have the budget for.

house 1 may not be in as good a location but we can’t comment on that.

OP has asked for a vote so that is what I have done. God forbid anyone has an opinion

Is house 1 definately detached? When I look at picture 14 or streetview it looks like the house on the left's garage conversion adjoins your downstairs. Also look at the overhead views pictures 15 and 16 for their flat roof.

I prefer house 2 but you can't get to the back garden except by going through the house.

The floor plan of 1 suggests that it wouldn't be too difficult to create a large kitchen from the kitchen/dining room spaces if you don't like a galley. Plus put in a nicer shower room. That work wouldn't cost the difference in price between the two houses.

The rest of the house looks fine. BUT why is there no fence separating the garden from next door? I would want that sorted before you buy.

I see what you mean. I think it might be “link detached” (connected by a former garage)?

What work do you think would be essential and desirable for house 1?

£75k might not go that far. Hard to tell from the pics what might need doing.

Has anyone else noticed that the house on the left of the first house's garden fence looks like it is encroaching on what should be house 1's garden? It kind of bows out a bit. Essentially taking the lion's share? or maybe it is just the weird angle

House 1

Re House 1, as other PP have alluded to, I would want to be really clear on exactly where your back garden borders are and who is responsible for which fences. You can download the record from the Land Registry for c.£5.

If you find that next door are responsible for the left hand fence as you look down the garden, you would need to put one up just inside your border, not on the border. Would the garden then feel sufficiently wide for what you are looking for? It is currently flattered visually by the lack of fence. A fence will also affect the light in next door’s downstairs room. Whilst it is completely reasonable to have a fence, this may involve some sensitive conversations as the neighbours will have got used to this. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put one up though.

I like number 1 apart from the road it's on. Looks busy and there are shops across from you which would put me off.
Number 2 looks like a much nicer road. Is the boxroom too small for a bedroom? We were brought up in a house with a boxroom and it did my brother well.

The fence line isn’t straight as the overhead shot shows. The whole property needs very careful boundary checking on every side, including where the ndn garage extension and conversion looks like it might not be touching this house.

It’s interesting to see the previous time it was listed which OP posted, they’ve had a big clear out, and the fence has either fallen down or been pulled down. Plus a small extra loo has vanished from the ground floor at the back. Another thing to check how that’s been dealt with in terms of insulation etc.

There could be a bargain to be had here, if happy with the location and plot.

neither

House 1 has a strange layout and House 2 has a lovely kitchen but doors straight to the outdoors will make the house cold in the winter

House 2 all the way. House 1 id be scared of all that flat roof and wondering why it’s on at such a low price, the garden not having a fence is also quite strange although easily fixable but might be smaller that expected . House 2 I’d guess has already been on the market last year due to summer photos so definitely worth a lower offer, and not falling for any new to the market, loads of viewings chat

Both houses look like the roofs are old and might need replacing at some point. House 1 also looks like fascias are wooden and need painting whereas house 2 seems to have plastic fascias.
I think house 1 probably needs quite a bit spending on it over time but don't be won over just by the interior of house 2. You need to check the outside of the house 2 if it is at the top of the budget.
I would also be questioning why they are selling. The sellers clearly have a baby/child. Do they find the house too small for them now?
I don't think I would buy either but then I don't live in London so don't know the market.

I've just spotted the dog in the photo of house 2 😂

If house 2 is too small then I’d say neither.

house one is awful looks very crammed in, back garden weird proportions and overlooked. Shops opposite will have people hanging around, cars parked outside with engines running, 5am bin emptying and early deliveries. Plus all the work which needs doing.

it’s all very well the op saying she’d like a detached. Everyone would like a detached. People generally don’t live in cheaper semis because they wanted to. But if you can only afford a horrible detached you’re better off in a semi.

Totally agree, House 2 is so much nicer, especially the kitchen and living space for a growing family, so practical. The kitchen in House 1 is dreadful,

I'm so glad you said that, re the garden, as I was really confused as to the boundary. Given what you've said, House 1 garden is awful

Seems strange that they didn't put the bathroom into the boxroom so the 3rd bedroom would be a decent size. Swapping the rooms could be an option for the future if OP could be bothered/didn't want to extend into the attic... though the bathroom is lovely.

Oh same! Cute dog 😂

Once the flat roof fails on property 1, you'll wish you'd bought property 2! There's a reason insurers ask whether you've got one.

OP does the street view of house 1 not put you off ??? - 2 late night convenience stores and a chippy opposite and a rough looking pub about 4 doors down

It’s a detached in an ideal case scenario, not a must, we are looking at everything available, as I’ve said in my first post. Some people pay well over a million for a huge semi, while I would have preferred a small detached instead if I had that money, but I don’t, hence the dillema. I see your point though, and everything you and other people have mentioned is well worth considering.

House 2 is on a leafy quiet looking residential street

We haven’t noticed any of that initially. 🤷‍♀️ The plan was to go look around at different times of the day this week, before our viewing.