Which would you buy?

dolce_vita

SquatNow wrote: »

FWIW: I'de go for the crappies looking house in a nice area. Most people redecorate after they move in anyway, so what's the point in paying extra for nice decor?

:rotfl:

I guess squatting is the same as buying really.

Always go for the worst house in the best street as opposed to the best house in the worst street.

budget_counsellor_shaz

Hi Nethesi

What about this?

http://www.romans.co.uk/auctions_search_results.asp?min_price=1&max_price=9999999&beds=0&sold=sold&xdaysago=01%2F01%2F2007&Submit.x=12&Submit.y=8&property_id=10015

A bit of work but a guide price of £160 000

A bargain!!!!

Doozergirl

I dunno.

I like number one. If it's usual for the area, then the downstairs bathroom won't hurt, especially with an upstairs loo.

Number two is a no for me. I think it's a bit ugly and I would not be happy about the park behind. Fields yes, park no. Like cattie, security is an issue for me - they can be over the back wall in seconds.

Number three - it will soften with time. I wonder how practical the stairs in the middle of bed 3 are! In terms of value for money, you might get it there - new windows, new roof etc. worth asking exactly what has been done - the fact the roof is new is a good sign for me!

nethesi

Shaz - definitely a bargain... thinking outside the box - I like it! Unfortunately it's just a little far away from our home patch (family members , work etc), and we don't have a car, and plan not to!

That links in to my answer to Dolce Vita - hopefully I'm good with money, as an accountant it's my job... definitely have more to learn from many helpful folks on this site though!

One of the reasons we've been able to get the amount of cash together we have is that while for 2 out of 3 years of marriage my OH has not been earning (degree, followed by teacher training) is that we've not had a car - also an environmental choice but hey - the other is that we were given several thousand pounds by various relatives when we got married and avoided spending it all on the big day! Plus my OH didn't need to spend his undergraduate student loan and put it in an ISA adding £10K to our pot on it's own.

So some is luck (having generous family) and most of the rest, well probably luck as well, in that I had very little money as a student oh so many years ago and I actually think that's a good thing as you learn some great budgeting skills there - but not something I planned so luck really.
Only other thing is that I don't have much taste/fashion sense, so I am not embarrassed by using the library, charity shops for clothes etc*, going a bit longer without a haircut etc, even though I'm on a pretty good wage.


* to clarify I don't use the library for clothes.

Anyway yes I know what Doozer and others mean about the park, and the 9ft fence across the whole row of terraces gave me mixed feelings - more secure but why do they need it??

We're doing second viewings on Friday and will report back following making an offer - if any - if only for my own enjoyment.

RE the waiting and seeing it is something we're thinking about too, but will depend on whether we decide any of these houses is what those annoying property programs call 'our forever home' or at least potentially our home for the next decade
...

Doozergirl

I'd love to know what you do

We don't usually get to see the houses being talked about!

dolce_vita

Don't rush into anything and good luck to you whatever you choose.

silvercar

I don't like the windows on property 3 - too small, the bay windows on the others are much nicer.

I wouldn't consider property 1 because of the downstairs bathroom. Not for its effect on sale but just the inconveniance.

So it has to be property 2.

real1314

My choice would be no.1

It's the best "looking" house, which although not the main issue, is always important. It's got a downstairs bathroom, but the upstairs loo/basin room could be expanded to a full bathroom, leaving bed 3 as 9` x 7` which aint bad for a 3rd bedroom. (ground floor bathroom could become a utility room or could be added to kitchen as kitchen/diner with patio doors to garden)

Also potential to go up into the attic without impact on the bedrooms, just losing the cupboard on the landing, which would further minimise any impact of losing space in bed3.

VickyA_2

Having lived in Reading as a student a few years ago, I actually thought that it was NORMAL for houses to have the bathroom downstairs. (well, in terraced houses in Reading anyway!!:))

Personally, I'd go for house 1.

sooz

No 1 for me too.

It is the nicest looking house from the outside, has not gone into the attic, so room to expand (and add another bathroom), and as others have said, you could add a shower to the upstairs loo fairly easily.

As for the pebble dashed ones...............uuurghhhhh

And what have they done with the loft conversion in the third one?? There is one small double room, a small single room, and a room with a staircase right in the middle of it (and low ceilings either side). Totally waste of space.