A choice of two houses...

Skiddaw1

I agree- if you're in for the long term I'd go with house 2. It may need some work but to me it looks like it has good bones and future potential.

YoungBlueEyes

I'd pick no2 as well. 

Yes no1 looks neater and is move-in ready, but consider the things that you like that money can't buy. You prefer the East/West setting (agree with you on that), no1 doesn't have it and no amount of money will get it. No1 is very close to the A6 - for me that'd be far too noisy to have windows open in the good weather. Yes the garage looks a bit tatty at no2 but you've the land to sort it out or build something better/different. Backs onto a country park too so you've no worries about it becoming a building site and being overlooked by a dozen houses in a year's time. 

Yes the refurb will be dear, and probably throw up more problems the more issues you address. But when you're all done, you'll be living on a good road in a house that's exactly as you want it, and the sun the right way round. 

GDB2222

It’s worth bearing in mind that House 2 is much more expensive than house 1, once you have factored in the refurbishment costs. Maybe £100,000 more expensive. So, of course it is nicer.  

Can you afford £350,000 total cost, and what else is available for that amount?

Dustyevsky

GDB2222 said:

It’s worth bearing in mind that House 2 is much more expensive than house 1, once you have factored in the refurbishment costs. Maybe £100,000 more expensive. So, of course it is nicer.  

Can you afford £350,000 total cost, and what else is available for that amount?

I'd agree with the £100k and also ask if you've ever lived in a house that's being refurbed to the degree that one needs? I have, doing much of the labouring work, but I was retired, not trying to juggle a job and family life too! That would have been hell.
The choice is never just 2 houses. Consider carefully what it is that's pulling you to this small area rather than looking more broadly.

BlueVeranda

I also like house 2 better, but it will be a LOT of work. Money, yes, but just the work itself can be a headache. Time. How long before you have a house that feels like a home?

Is it an option to wait and see if something else comes up?

Ditzy_Mitzy

I much prefer the interior of house two (though wouldn't like the inevitable smell of dog), although accept that might be a result of me requiring modernization.  Could you learn to like it?  Steaming off a bit of wallpaper and putting new stuff up isn't complicated; it's the structural stuff you'll have to look out for.

House one looks to have been renovated on the cheap and appears tired in places.  The patio may have to go too; something that large is going to impede natural drainage.  Look at the Astroturf behind: it looks to have been waterlogged for some time.  One must take precautions in Rainy City...  

Marvel1

House number 1 - can;t be bothered to deal with the DIY stuff.

RelievedSheff

Neither.

If you can afford the £100k plus to renovate property 2 then I would be looking at properties more in the £350-375k price range.

Nardge

Dear Forumites,

A big thank you to everyone for your valued contributions!  

House 2 (MD) has been taken off the market, which ultimately isn’t necessarily a bad thing…

House 3 has come up though (BS). It is clearly better than House 2 in terms of renovation.

Links to photos and video enclosed below. House 1 (ED) remains the alternative. 

Address	House 1 Eastholme Drive (ED),  Levenshulme, M19	House 3 Bowler Street (BS), Levenshulme, M19
Freehold	Yes	Yes
Price	260 K	275 K
Chain	No	Don’t Know
Condition	Move-in-ready	Move-in-ready?
Square Meters	81	65
Bedrooms	3 inc. Box (FF)	3 inc. Box (FF)
Garage	No	No
Off-road Parking	Yes	Yes
Garden	Yes	Yes
Queries:		Chain? Really only 65 sm?

Having reflected on your previous comments, here are my thoughts for the new candidate (House 3):

1) The price remains < 300 K meaning I can buy in cash without a mortgage
2) Location is convenient in terms of relative proximity to place of employment and good schools
3) It doesn’t appear to require extensive or any renovation
4) It’s set further back and at a greater distance from both the A6 and train line
5) I maintain continued proximity to easy public transport if needed
6) It too has the East West (sunrise/sunset) axis
7) It has a surface area of 65 square meters, unfortunately comparatively small!
8) A garage can be built to the side? (I'll need to see how much space there is!)
9) It can be extended both to the rear and to the side? (Again, I’ll need to see the space available)
10) The garden is substantially bigger than neighbouring ones, though doesn’t feel private.
Bushes and trees can be grown to obstruct being viewed or overlooked by neighbours however.

I’d welcome your thoughts on  any aspect(s) of House 3…

How does it look? Also would you buy it over House 1?

Unless any red flags are raised, I think its probable I’ll buy it before someone else does… 

Thanking you again in advance!

Kind Regards.

=========================================================================

Links for House 1 (ED):

Rightmove link:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86622675#/?channel=RES_BUY

Mellor estate agent link:

https://edwardmellor.co.uk/property-for-sale/10148959/ 

Links for House 3 (BS):

Rightmove link:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142610549#/?channel=RES_BUY

Mellor estate agent link:

https://john-mellor.co.uk/property/bowler-street-levenshulme-m19-2tz/708691/

FreeBear

Nardge said: 8) A garage can be built to the side? (I'll need to see how much space there is!)
9) It can be extended both to the rear and to the side? (Again, I’ll need to see the space available)

Whilst you might be able to build a garage, accessing it in a car may prove difficult - It looks like you are sharing part of the drive with the neighbouring property. Parking is going to be an issue, and if either property has more than one car, a source of arguments & disagreements.