Heart vs Head - advice please

Imnewaroundhere

Good Morning,

I'm a long time reader of these forums but not posted before but am in real need of some balanced 3rd party views please.

We have recently sold our house, we wouldn't have chosen to do it as such a turbulent time but school admissions looming have meant we need to. Our house sold without ever going on the market to cash buyers and we are just about to exchange.

Our hunt as been very specific for commuting and schools and also this will be our 3rd house purchase in 8 years and I want to stay put for a long time!

We saw a great house last month, it's a picture perfect home, private road, great potential, lots of outside space, however is very dated and is going to require a lot of work and money over the next 10 years, however it is a real "heart" property. We have had an offer accepted (its probate) at the top of our budget, so we would be doing the work gradually and it would come from saving and sacrifices to be made lifestyle wise with holidays etc.

Another house came up 2 streets away and we have gone to view it. It is a 70s style house, it is immaculate inside and on a quiet street, albeit not private. It has smaller outside space but inside is great and you wouldn't need to do anything to it and it is the same price as the previous house. It does however lack character, the garden is overlooked and I worry we will want to move again in 10 years and I don't want the associated costs and stresses again!

Our family are bias one way or the other, due to their own houses and preferences so for the first time we are completely stuck with and I would really like to seek the advice of strangers with no invested interest, on what you would do?!  Many thanks 

olgadapolga

Based purely on the photos alone, I'd definitely go for the second one, even if it meant loads of work needed doing to it over the next few years.

strawb_shortcake

The second would most likely win for me, but would be dependent on the sacrifices I'd need to make especially with having school age children and some of the things we'd have to give a miss. In the other hand the second does look to be a beautiful family home. 
I think if I bought the first I'd always look back on the second and wonder if I made a mistake 

Ramouth

I’d go with the first house / second picture.  Moving is so stressful and expensive it is worth living in a house that needs a bit of work for a while.  I’m hoping our current move will be the last - even thinking where a lift could go for when we can’t manage stairs any more and we are only 41!

Gavin83

I too would pick the second based on just that photo but then again I want a project house.

One thing I picked up on was your reference to a private road. You seem to consider it a positive where as it would be a red flag for me. Not enough of a concern to consider it a dealbreaker but would certainly go in the negative column. I say this as someone who currently lives in a private road. No positives (that I’ve noticed) but some
negatives.

steve866

Without knowing the exact finances I would go with the ‘heart’ house. You may end up stuck with the ‘head’ house and always deeming slightly disappointed throughout the whole ownership, which is unlucky with the other one.

gwynlas

The second picture looks more appealing to me and I would prefer not to be overlooked. If the house s dated but livable just go with it. Do not put family life, holidays etc on hold just to update a house life is short and chldren grow up. Set aside what you can afford for improvements until you have sufficient to tackle it in one hit.

Jeepers_Creepers

Yeeaaah, one house is - yawn - neat and sensible, I guess...

The other one is OHMAAAGAWD!!!

So, on balance... :-)

Are you up for doing some of the updating yourselves? That would be a big money-saver. It also has the character that would allow you to update things like the kitchen using free-standing and second-hand units, dressers, that sort of stuff, painted to suit, and at a fraction of a 'fitted' kitchen.

Which one will fill your heart every time you pull in after a hard day's work? Yup.

Tiglet2

The 70s style house does absolutely nothing for me, but the 'heart' house looks gorgeous (or it could be!).

It is true what gwynlas has said.  Life is short - we bought our dream home 10 years ago and absolutely love it, but I can see now that when we are both retired and perhaps less mobile, that we may need something that meets those needs.  A forever home is only forever while it suits.  Once your children have left home and you are older, it may not be suitable, but you should have a decent amount of equity to downsize and have no mortgage!

JJC1956

Is this a trick question? One house is stunning, the other isn’t, simple as that

74jax

The second one for me. Based purely on the amazing frontage. I love it. Do you have a link so I can see (nosey) inside