How to choose between 2 properties

tarab1986

After what feels like a stressful house hunt we have now found 2 houses that we like. However my partner and I are struggling to choose between them. We have done various pro and cons lists but still can't decide so I thought I would ask the forum what they thought before we put in any offers (hence I won't be linking to the houses).

So a bit of background first. It's just me and my partner, no kids ect. I work regular hours in the nhs (9-5), partner works full time on nights.

Both houses are on the same council estate. Both are 3 beds.

So house number 1:
Located towards the edge of the estate.
Easy commute to work for my cycling partner, off road parking for me (back gate into the garden with a drive created),
corner plot - end of terrace
Decent sized 3 bed (2 double and a single),
separate bathroom and toilet (and due to design no easy way to make into one bathroom which would be our preference).
Big utility room and a lean too type area on the side with power to it (not a conservatory - making use of garden wall and wood paneling to front and back for secure "storage")
Looks well looked after, a bit of redecorating to our own style but certainly liveable

And house number 2
Located more centrally to the estate, literally round the corner from one of the 1960s tower blocks
Again an easy commute to work for my partner - a slightly longer commute but nothing significant
3 bedroom (2 doubles and a single)
Lovely bathroom (current owners have complete redone and combined what was the bathroom and separate toilet)
Smaller utility room
Bigger back garden so scope for a conservatory ect in the future
Access to back garden via an alleyway so partner can get his bike round the back
Very nicely decorated - neutral throughout and looks well looked after.
Owner has converted the loft with velux window and central heating and is using it as a bedroom at present - it is however only accessible by the loft hatch at present (but because of house design you can get a second staircase in the hallway). Loft room looks like it's been completed to a high standard.

We were initially leaning towards house number 1, because of the corner plot and parking it's priced above our budget but. It so far out that it's not unattainable after haggling. However our thoughts keep returning to house number 2 which again is priced slightly above our budget. However the estate agent has said the vendor wants to move quickly and has found another property he wants to proceed with. Agent thinks we could get this within our budget without too much difficulty.

Any advice is welcome, we could be looking at 10k more for a slightly bigger house (1) on a smaller plot with parking or spending 10k less for the mid terrace with loft conversion and on street parking (2).

bouicca21

A loft room accessible by a hatch is unlikely to meet building regulations. Just look through the forum to seen the level of angst caused by conversions that aren't building regs compliant. Don't factor it in to your calculations - it's just a loft, not a room.

Thrugelmir

bouicca21 wrote: »

A loft room accessible by a hatch is unlikely to meet building regulations. Just look through the forum to seen the level of angst caused by conversions that aren't building regs compliant. Don't factor it in to your calculations - it's just a loft, not a room.

Highly unlikely the conversion meets regulations at all.

FatVonD

Just from the way you've written it I'd say you want house 2. In your position I would toss a coin, you don't have to do what it says but you will feel a momentary, involuntary feeling of either disappointment or relief when you see how it comes and and then you will know which you really want.

For me, I would say house 1, you can bring house 1 up to the same standard decor wise as house 2 but you'll never be able to move house 1 away from the tower block or install parking at the back. Plus you have two sets of potential noisy neighbours as opposed to one with the end of terrace.

tarab1986

Thanks - we are considering it as a fancy loft atm but one that maybe we could do something with one day. If we were to go ahead we would be getting a structural survey on either property.

Kynthia

Which house do you think will suit your needs best in 5 or more years time when you've made any changes you'd like to make. Some things can't be changed like location, garden size, ability to extend, certain room sizes and layout options, etc. So pick the house that has the best of these.

tarab1986

Thanks kynthia. We are hoping that this could be the house we stay in for a significant period of time (hence looking for 3 bed). House 1 has the better location but garden size and layout is preferable in house 2. Both have options in extending - 2 into loft space properly and conservatory on the back and 1 to the side as it's a corner plot (smaller garden though so only space for a small conservatory in any).

It's a difficult decision

Red-Squirrel_2

Don't underestimate the value of off street parking! Having lost numerous wing mirrors and had one car written off while parked on the street at a previous house I consider it a must.

You sound more interested in house 2, but be very careful not to be too swayed by the superficial 'polish'. You can add that to house 2 if you move in, but you can never change the location of house 1.

Kynthia

Have you viewed both properties more than once? As often going around a second time with your sensible hat on, looking at measurements of room sizes, seeing where you can fit a dining table, how you'd use the space, looking at parking/noise issues at a different time of day, whether others in the street have extended to indicate whether you'll be able to as well, the transport links, etc, can make the decision clearer.

martin.cat

You say that both are above budget so it's a case of which one you can get

Remember location location you don't need a uncertified loft conversion or a conservatory at the moment and decor and extras can be added later.

Parking is a big tick for me and I wouldn't consider a house without

Play poker with the EAs whom hopefully are not the same one for both houses. Then flex your monies and see where you go. At the end of the day either will suit

Carer

Having lived in a house with a combined bathroom and toilet and now living in one with them separate, I would never live in a house with them combined again unless it had an extra toilet somewhere else, especially with children in the house.

It's so much better if you need the loo/are ill/want to soak in the bath/ with them separate, especially when kids come along and you are toilet training.

For that reason, and the parking and being on the edge of the estate, I would choose house 1.