Torn between two properties

kilby_007

getmore4less wrote: »

Smaller than a double garage so not that big,

Going down the proper garage workshop route would be much more attractive to future buyers.

Turns out I can't do maths this morning! It'd be around 450 SqFt (25x18).

getmore4less

Missed there is a No.3

Apart from too big, what are the full list of pro/cons.

kilby_007

getmore4less wrote: »

Missed there is a No.3

Apart from too big, what are the full list of pro/cons.

Pros

• The plot size is still big and the house looks materially strong and well built.
• It's set well back from the main road with a big driveway.
• It's got an air-raid shelter in readiness for WW3!
• Decent sized integral garage.
• Not as much in the way of grass/trees to maintain compared to No.1 and it backs onto a farmer's field so no privacy issues.

Cons

• It's much bigger than we need (doesn't have a floor plan but it'll be well over 2000SqFt)
• 50K more so would cost more upfront and in interest on the mortgage.
• No outbuildings
• Bills/council tax will be higher.
• Old/tired d!cor & fittings so we would still want to modernise and replace kitchen etc.

It's a possible contender and the more I think about it the more it makes sense but we hadn't really considered anything much over 300K previously so we'd have to re-assess our immediate finances but it could actually save us money in the long run.

paddypaws101

Property 3 and then Air b'n'b a couple of the rooms once refurb is done

getmore4less

1200sq foot over two floors is tight for a 4bed

With an integral garage how much real space is their down stairs on the 6 bed, might be that one extra bedroom acts as a surrogate reception/tv/play room.

phoebe1989seb

kilby_007 wrote: »

Pros

• The plot size is still big and the house looks materially strong and well built.
• It's set well back from the main road with a big driveway.
• It's got an air-raid shelter in readiness for WW3!
• Decent sized integral garage.
• Not as much in the way of grass/trees to maintain compared to No.1 and it backs onto a farmer's field so no privacy issues.

Cons

• It's much bigger than we need (doesn't have a floor plan but it'll be well over 2000SqFt)
• 50K more so would cost more upfront and in interest on the mortgage.
• No outbuildings
• Bills/council tax will be higher.
• Old/tired d!cor & fittings so we would still want to modernise and replace kitchen etc.

It's a possible contender and the more I think about it the more it makes sense but we hadn't really considered anything much over 300K previously so we'd have to re-assess our immediate finances but it could actually save us money in the long run.

I was going to say go with option 3, but am a little confused. At post 9 I thought you said house 3 has "everything done", whereas above you say it has old/tired decor & fittings.

Is it that house 3 isn't in need of immediate work, it's just not to your taste, unlike house 1 that is in a genuinely poor state of repair?

1200 sq ft for a four bed is quite tight. We currently have four beds over 2000 sq ft and in one previous five bed we had 1600 sq ft, both of which feel/felt relatively spacious considering both times we'd downsized from something quite large.

Having bought a very nice three-storey period house on a rural A road, that regularly shook when hgvs sped past, for me proximity to the main road would be a definite no-no. If house 3 is set further back, plus it backs onto fields I would think that is the *slightly* better option. Six beds in itself wouldn't put me off. We had six beds with just three in family and bought a five bed as empty nesters when DS went to uni.

cliffsgirl

Ww3 air raid shelter wins every time!

DigForVictory

With two children & a third planned/hoped/pondered for, the 6 bed place sounds like a wonderful family home - although I rather liked the ready to roll outbuildings of house 1.

Air raid shelter is a definite feature (MIL may feel comfortably at home therein!) and it sounds like there'd be space of workshops, stables, whatever your little darlings get up to that you'd rather took place Under Another Roof (unheated, naturally).

Besides, what a splendid growing up chance, to be able to play hide & seek for Ages in the rain?!

Plus "in the short term" (yeah) you can convert one of the downstairs rooms into your toolshop & stay warm & dry & handy for brews etc...

Another vote for the six bed dwelling that you'd written down as too big (with children, there's no such thing!)

BJV

6 bed all the way. We have 2 children and moved last year from a very well presented 4 bed and to an old, battered Victorian detached with massive well much bigger than we are used to garden. It was falling apart. decoration was stuck in the sixties which is when I think any money was last spent on it.

We have taken it back to a good five bed with, dressing room and man cave.

We love it. Really love it. It will be a lot of hard work and it will take a few years but the potential is amazing. The kids love it with friends around much more often than before.

But I stress it is not easy, frustrating, and messy. Also costs a lot but so glad we did not go for another four bed all done. Sometimes I drive up the driveway and pinch myself that I could live is such an amazing house. We live in the city and have squirrels in our garden! God how lucky and I?

So go for the 6 bed!!!!