3 Double Bedrooms vs 4 Smaller Bedrooms?

gazfocus

Could really do with some opinions on this one...

My wife and I are due to embark on a refurb of our house later this year. We don't currently live there and the house will be completely empty by the time we start.

At present, the house has 4 bedrooms but the bedrooms are relatively small (master is 3.3x3.7m, bedroom 2 is 2.5x3.7m and bedroms 3 and 4 are both around 2.2x3.4m).

We are mindful that within the next 5 years we will want to sell the house to then buy our 'forever home' so need to keep in mind the value and the sale-ability.

So, I thought I'd ask for opinions on whether you lovely people would prefer a house that has 3 good sized 'double' bedrooms or a house with 4 smaller bedrooms, and what sort of effect would going down to 3 bedrooms have on the price?

In either scenario, the house would have a 'study' downstairs.

lincroft1710

It will depend on each individual's requirements at the time. A family with 3 children may well prefer 4 bedrooms, family with 1 or 2 children  - 3 beds

DullGreyGuy

Speak to local estate agents, they'll know your area better and what's in short supply etc.

Generally more bedrooms will get more money even if it's the same sq footage but quality of layout, ensuites etc all make differences too. 

comeandgo

How many bathrooms?  If you have 4 bedrooms I’d not look at any house with less than two full bathrooms, a three bed house then I’d accept one with second toilet.

RelievedSheff

3 good sized bedrooms would always be more desirable to us than 4 squeezed bedrooms.

Those sizes you mention are really small, especially the 2 smallest!

gazfocus

comeandgo said:

How many bathrooms?  If you have 4 bedrooms I’d not look at any house with less than two full bathrooms, a three bed house then I’d accept one with second toilet.

We’ve actually got 3 at present as the downstairs toilet also has a shower (there used to be a downstairs bedroom with en-suite. However, the downstairs toilet will be getting moved and will just become a downstairs wc. There’s also a family bathroom and an en-suite upstairs. 

Hoenir

How much is the cost of the potential works?  

gazfocus

DullGreyGuy said:

Speak to local estate agents, they'll know your area better and what's in short supply etc.

Generally more bedrooms will get more money even if it's the same sq footage but quality of layout, ensuites etc all make differences too. 

I’ve tried to gauge from current Rightmove listings but it’s really difficult. Some 3 bed detached houses (not that far from ours) are up for more than our house was valued as a 4 bed even.

I appreciate that there will be people that simply want a 4 bedroom house and won’t even look at a 3 bedroom. One option would be for us to try and do the rooms in such a way we can divide them up to 4 bedrooms later on but that gives us a lot less flexibility. 

housebuyer143

Near me 4 beds are more popular especially if they are priced closer to 3 bed prices. 
So the small rooms might not be everyones choice but for the person who NEEDS 4 rooms but also doesn't have enough to buy a 4 bed detached house, they will jump at this. 

Near me even the small 4 beds sell quickly because it appeals to those who need the extra rooms at a cheaper price. 

gazfocus

RelievedSheff said:

3 good sized bedrooms would always be more desirable to us than 4 squeezed bedrooms.

Those sizes you mention are really small, especially the 2 smallest!

Tell me about it

It’s one of the main reasons we moved out to be honest (at the time we didn’t have the money for a big renovation) but we only really had room for single beds and essential bedroom furniture in the two smaller rooms which is a shame for the kids. 

We are trying to find a way of making the house work for us for the next few years until we are in a poisition to buy something better. 

gazfocus

Hoenir said:

How much is the cost of the potential works?  

I’m not entirely sure at the moment. A fair bit of the work will be done by ourselves so will minimise costs somewhat. Anything structural will be done by professionals but we’ve not got as far as getting quotes just yet.