Location or Dream house?
Discussion
Help!
I’m on the move got my house agreed and have found two options both exactly the same price:
Option 1
House built in the 90’s on 1.5 acres in the countryside, no redeeming features architecturally and needs new everything. Built on the site of an old farmhouse so beautifully mature trees etc. also on a private farm lane with 3 impressive big money new builds. On greenbelt and surrounded by fields.
Option 2
Edwardian detached villa 1/2 acre on a busy road but set back, houses all around. Needs absolutely nothing and is done beautifully.
So do I go with the worst house on the street option 1 or move your furniture in and relax option 2?
I’m on the move got my house agreed and have found two options both exactly the same price:
Option 1
House built in the 90’s on 1.5 acres in the countryside, no redeeming features architecturally and needs new everything. Built on the site of an old farmhouse so beautifully mature trees etc. also on a private farm lane with 3 impressive big money new builds. On greenbelt and surrounded by fields.
Option 2
Edwardian detached villa 1/2 acre on a busy road but set back, houses all around. Needs absolutely nothing and is done beautifully.
So do I go with the worst house on the street option 1 or move your furniture in and relax option 2?
Option one, but how much is it going to cost to renovate?
We live in a small terrace house currently with no parking, but if you ask my girlfriend it is in a great location as it is a 17 minute train journey to Waterloo. We could have a detached house with garage and a big garden if we moved a 45 minute car ride away.
I would do it in a heart beat but my girlfriend loves being close to that London. The ironic thing is we probably go in once or twice a month, yet a big detached house would be a benefit 24 hours a day.
We live in a small terrace house currently with no parking, but if you ask my girlfriend it is in a great location as it is a 17 minute train journey to Waterloo. We could have a detached house with garage and a big garden if we moved a 45 minute car ride away.
I would do it in a heart beat but my girlfriend loves being close to that London. The ironic thing is we probably go in once or twice a month, yet a big detached house would be a benefit 24 hours a day.
Edited by ThingsBehindTheSun on Thursday 19th September 13:21
andburg said:
have you budgeted for time and costs of maintaining 1.5 acres of land?
unless you have a tractor then thats a substantial amount of time and or money you need to consider
It's really not. 1.5 acres is manageable with a gardener, you certainly don't need a tractor. unless you have a tractor then thats a substantial amount of time and or money you need to consider
ETA: That's a weekly gardener to cut the grass.
Funny when I re read it does look like I’ve answered my question!
I’d rather not put up links as I’ve actually agreed option 1 (nothing signed yet!) but my OH discovered option 2 last night! (Thanks instagram.)
She knows the house and has been in it and was surprised that it’s for sale. The owners are downsizing.
I don’t have endless resources but could stretch ok to a project but it is very appealing to not have to bother!
Appreciate the help folks, I’ve been in the same house for 16 years so it all a bit daunting.
I’d rather not put up links as I’ve actually agreed option 1 (nothing signed yet!) but my OH discovered option 2 last night! (Thanks instagram.)
She knows the house and has been in it and was surprised that it’s for sale. The owners are downsizing.
I don’t have endless resources but could stretch ok to a project but it is very appealing to not have to bother!
Appreciate the help folks, I’ve been in the same house for 16 years so it all a bit daunting.
What are your priorities? Do both really fulfil your priorities just now? Only asking as they sound very different. I suspect the ease of life is quite important for you to even consider the second one?
The first one needn’t be a huge challenge. If you’re there for a long while it can be done in chunks. Get one room sorted asap and that will give you the relaxing space you need immediately. I will admit living in a project is difficult and it sometimes becomes a chalice around your neck, and you just wish the place was finished.
But, as I age my tolerance for noise is now less than zero. I suspect many people seek peace and tranquility as they age. Would you really be able to cope with the constant noise, rumbles from buses or traffic ? How well insulated is it from sound?
For me - it’s clear option one is the choice, IF it fulfills all your priorities.
The first one needn’t be a huge challenge. If you’re there for a long while it can be done in chunks. Get one room sorted asap and that will give you the relaxing space you need immediately. I will admit living in a project is difficult and it sometimes becomes a chalice around your neck, and you just wish the place was finished.
But, as I age my tolerance for noise is now less than zero. I suspect many people seek peace and tranquility as they age. Would you really be able to cope with the constant noise, rumbles from buses or traffic ? How well insulated is it from sound?
For me - it’s clear option one is the choice, IF it fulfills all your priorities.
Moulder said:
Option 1 for me.
Only concern is the private road part. Through various purchases/rentals I am at the point of never wanting to share anything property wise with anyone, from party walls to access.
Is the private road owned by one party, or shared between the 4 houses?
Very good point and I have no idea yet. It does make me nervous as do the boundaries, I’m assuming the original farm must have owned the fields around it at some stage. My solicitor hasn’t got the title deeds yet so may open a can of worms. Only concern is the private road part. Through various purchases/rentals I am at the point of never wanting to share anything property wise with anyone, from party walls to access.
Is the private road owned by one party, or shared between the 4 houses?
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?l...
This should show you the boundaries of the plot and adjacent plots. The data shows on one of the zoom levels so zoom in and out until it appears or adjust the visibility slider.
This should show you the boundaries of the plot and adjacent plots. The data shows on one of the zoom levels so zoom in and out until it appears or adjust the visibility slider.
Edited by K is King on Thursday 19th September 15:16
thepritch said:
What are your priorities? Do both really fulfil your priorities just now? Only asking as they sound very different. I suspect the ease of life is quite important for you to even consider the second one?
My priority is definitely peace and quiet, option 2 is a curveball from my better half but I completely get the appeal of proper old house.
The first one needn’t be a huge challenge. If you’re there for a long while it can be done in chunks. Get one room sorted asap and that will give you the relaxing space you need immediately. I will admit living in a project is difficult and it sometimes becomes a chalice around your neck, and you just wish the place was finished.
This is at the back of my mind, I did a major project where I am now 10 years ago and over spent but learnt a lot!
But, as I age my tolerance for noise is now less than zero. I suspect many people seek peace and tranquility as they age. Would you really be able to cope with the constant noise, rumbles from buses or traffic ? How well insulated is it from sound?
I wouldn’t and the main reason I’m moving is to get away from exactly what you describe, it was quiet when I moved here but is now a traffic nightmare thanks to new bus lanes!
For me - it’s clear option one is the choice, IF it fulfills all your priorities.
You’re right! Thanks for taking the time to post. My priority is definitely peace and quiet, option 2 is a curveball from my better half but I completely get the appeal of proper old house.
The first one needn’t be a huge challenge. If you’re there for a long while it can be done in chunks. Get one room sorted asap and that will give you the relaxing space you need immediately. I will admit living in a project is difficult and it sometimes becomes a chalice around your neck, and you just wish the place was finished.
This is at the back of my mind, I did a major project where I am now 10 years ago and over spent but learnt a lot!
But, as I age my tolerance for noise is now less than zero. I suspect many people seek peace and tranquility as they age. Would you really be able to cope with the constant noise, rumbles from buses or traffic ? How well insulated is it from sound?
I wouldn’t and the main reason I’m moving is to get away from exactly what you describe, it was quiet when I moved here but is now a traffic nightmare thanks to new bus lanes!
For me - it’s clear option one is the choice, IF it fulfills all your priorities.
Edited to add not sure how to edit posts but have replied to each paragraph.
Edited by Joscal on Thursday 19th September 15:17
All things being equal in terms of having the necessary funds to make option 1 perfect that would be my choice.
Don’t have to do everything in one go and assuming not listed having then carte blanche to do what you want sounds perfect !
That amount of garden / land is also no biggie.
Our house sits in around that of just garden and a ride on mower is not the end of the world.
Don’t have to do everything in one go and assuming not listed having then carte blanche to do what you want sounds perfect !
That amount of garden / land is also no biggie.
Our house sits in around that of just garden and a ride on mower is not the end of the world.
K is King said:
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?l...
This should show you the boundaries of the plot and adjacent plots. The data shows on one of the zoom levels so zoom in and out until it appears or adjust the visibility slider.
Thanks, I’m in Northern Ireland and looking at the different map options there aren’t any boundaries. I’ll definitely get our solicitor to look into it. This should show you the boundaries of the plot and adjacent plots. The data shows on one of the zoom levels so zoom in and out until it appears or adjust the visibility slider.
Edited by K is King on Thursday 19th September 15:16
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