What would you do?

amieloustew

Skiddaw1 said:

I rather like the third one. It seems more spacious and light to me (and it has the largest garden). Doesn't look like it needs more than total redecoration.

I am also very drawn to this one for the reasons you have mentioned, I would prefer a new bathroom and kitchen but that can be done as and when.

MCI

For me it would depend on the difference in price. We've just bought our first home, and there's definitely been a period of discovery that things aren't going to be as cheap as initially thought. So if you have enough extra cash that things like this aren't an issue, or if it is liveable until you can save up, go for the project house. However if you want to move your furniture in right after getting the keys, this will make things like flooring, replastering, etc really difficult. (We are doing up one bedroom to start with and using our folding gateleg table and folding chairs downstairs until that kind of stuff is done--but not everyone will want to do that!)
I will say, we avoided another house that needed a whole new kitchen and bathroom right off the bat as it would have cost more than we were comfortable with right away.

Davesnave

Skiddaw1 said:

I rather like the third one. It seems more spacious and light to me (and it has the largest garden). Doesn't look like it needs more than total redecoration.

I may be a bit dense this morning but the most modern one has 3 bedrooms and the others have two, so it's bound to be more pricey.

But as you say, these only need re-decoration, and maybe new kitchen/ bathroom, so they aren't what I'd call 'renovations.' They can still feel onerous if people haven't done DIY before though.

You must visit houses to see how they feel. That won't come out in the EAs advert.

amieloustew

Davesnave said:

Skiddaw1 said:

I rather like the third one. It seems more spacious and light to me (and it has the largest garden). Doesn't look like it needs more than total redecoration.

I may be a bit dense this morning but the most modern one has 3 bedrooms and the others have two, so it's bound to be more pricey.

But as you say, these only need re-decoration, and maybe new kitchen/ bathroom, so they aren't what I'd call 'renovations.' They can still feel onerous if people haven't done DIY before though.

You must visit houses to see how they feel. That won't come out in the EAs advert.

No not dense at all, the houses are the exact same apart from the 3 bed (it used to be a 2 bed but a wall was installed to split up master bedroom), I'm not sure if I'd prefer the two smaller rooms or the much larger master. Its one of the main things that is turning me off the higher priced one.
Thanks for your advice

AdrianC

1 - https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-76800148.html
£94k
Main bed split in two - none exactly huge.
Decor all "done", but some of it of very... specific... taste and style.
Medium-size fenced-off front garden.



2 - https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-77465332.html
£83k
Conservatory
Decor not bad, kitchen a bit dated, bathroom OK.
Very small, open front garden.



3 - https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-77591320.html
£72k
Decor and kitchen v dated, bathroom bit dated.
Big front garden, fenced.

Out of those three, I'd ask whether you really want that conservatory. If not, it's not a big enough discount for the kitchen and front garden compromises. That, for me, would be the first house to cross off.

Then it's down to your appetite for some DIY and disruption. If you're happy to upgrade the kitchen/bathroom/carpets, and DIY the decor, you can fairly easily do that within the £20k you save - especially when you take into account redoing the "done" rooms that may not be to your taste.

For me? The cheapie.

[Deleted User]

I would never ever buy a do upper again ! 

I bought one in 1984 and it was horrendous. You just dont have the time if you are working full time 
Ive only ever bought new houses since then ! 

amieloustew

AdrianC said:

Out of those three, I'd ask whether you really want that conservatory. If not, it's not a big enough discount for the kitchen and front garden compromises. That, for me, would be the first house to cross off.

Then it's down to your appetite for some DIY and disruption. If you're happy to upgrade the kitchen/bathroom/carpets, and DIY the decor, you can fairly easily do that within the £20k you save - especially when you take into account redoing the "done" rooms that may not be to your taste.

Thanks so much for your detailed reply, I've been sitting looking at floor plans and home reports all week but you've summarised it really well.
The conservatory is actually something I'm not keen on. I few people I know hate theirs and I would rather not have it so the 3rd property is swaying me much more as there's a lot more potential.
I agree, the 1st property is very taste specific to the current owner and while I can appreciate they have done it nicely and to a high standard (having viewed and viewing again tonight with my partner), it's not for me and I would feel like I was settling.

Davesnave

Davesnave said:

Skiddaw1 said:

I rather like the third one. It seems more spacious and light to me (and it has the largest garden). Doesn't look like it needs more than total redecoration.

I may be a bit dense this morning but the most modern one has 3 bedrooms and the others have two, so it's bound to be more pricey.

But as you say, these only need re-decoration, and maybe new kitchen/ bathroom, so they aren't what I'd call 'renovations.' They can still feel onerous if people haven't done DIY before though.

You must visit houses to see how they feel. That won't come out in the EAs advert.

No not dense at all, the houses are the exact same apart from the 3 bed (it used to be a 2 bed but a wall was installed to split up master bedroom)

I had a rough night. I did think there was great similarity! Now I'm properly awake, I agree with those who think the cheapest one looks the best deal. OK it has a kitchen from the late 8os , but it still looks serviceable, the bathroom's tolerable and the whole place appears well cared-for. If it feels as good as it looks, I'd go for it. I wouldn't want the most expensive house's laminate flooring or much of its decor anyway.

And that bedroom is a good size if not cut in half!

amieloustew

Davesnave said:

I had a rough night. I did think there was great similarity! Now I'm properly awake, I agree with those who think the cheapest one looks the best deal. OK it has a kitchen from the late 8os , but it still looks serviceable, the bathroom's tolerable and the whole place appears well cared-for. If it feels as good as it looks, I'd go for it. I wouldn't want the most expensive house's laminate flooring or much of its decor anyway.

And that bedroom is a good size if not cut in half!

We've all been there haha!
I've arranged a viewing of the cheaper property this weekend and will have a good hard think about decoration.
Thanks!

RelievedSheff

Our first house we bought needed nothing doing too it and we loved that we could just move in and make it feel like home straight away rather then having to work on it endlessly.

We part exchanged it last year for a new build and again liked having nothing to do. Although we are starting now to decide what decorating we need to do in each room as white is extremely boring on every wall and ceiling. But on the plus side it is just decorating and nothing major to do so it really shouldn't take too long at all.