Help me choose a new build

[kv85]

I am looking at up-sizing and have 2 properties that we are struggling to choose between. Pretty similar in terms of square footage but some glaring differences

Builder A
4 Bed House - West Facing house, East Facing Garden
Downstairs Study
Gas Hob
Gas Central Heating
Shared Driveway with Single Garage

Builder B
4 Bed house, North East facing entrance, south west facing garden
Slightly larger kitchen, no study
Larger Master Bedroom
Induction Hob
Air Source Heat Pump with Underfloor heating downstairs
Private driveway with garage, master bedroom acts as a car port.

Any opinions please?

[z4RRSchris]

location, transport, plot size, location on estate, layout of roads, amenities, where is the affordable, will views be built out. incentives offered

etc etc etc.

[Countdown]

kv85 said:

I am looking at up-sizing and have 2 properties that we are struggling to choose between. Pretty similar in terms of square footage but some glaring differences

Builder A
4 Bed House - West Facing house, East Facing Garden
Downstairs Study
Gas Hob
Gas Central Heating
Shared Driveway with Single Garage

Builder B
4 Bed house, North East facing entrance, south west facing garden
Slightly larger kitchen, no study
Larger Master Bedroom
Induction Hob
Air Source Heat Pump with Underfloor heating downstairs
Private driveway with garage, master bedroom acts as a car port.

Any opinions please?

I know this is PH but parking the car in the Master Bedroom seems a tad excessive

[Harpoon]

How many bedrooms do you need? If you WFH, can one bedroom in the second house become a study? Or would you be sat at the kitchen table (or similar) and can't shut the door on your work at the end of the day?

What's the shared drive arrangement for House A? Is a lazy Amazon driver going to accidentally reverse over your lawn when delivering to your neighbours? Is a tradesman visiting your neighbours going to block you in (eg "I'll only be 10 minutes mate")?

Edited by Harpoon on Monday 12th May 16:42

[remedy]

Just going by what you have posted, B all day.

SW garden so light into the evening in the summer. Easy facing as per A gets you morning sun but it will be a cold dark autumn winter after 11.
Shared drive is a big avoid for me.
Bigger kitchen too.

Not bothered about ASHP as a new build will be very efficient for retaining heat.

[Richard-390a0]

B for the garden & driveway.

[Cow Corner]

A shared drive and an east facing garden would be hard nos from me.

[Chucklehead]

As above. Shared drive is an absolute no from me, and the garden is the final nail.

[Chumley.mouse]

Link the properties for a clearer picture ? From the description it seems like you prefer b.

There could be a sewerage plant across from it ?

[Bazil Bush]

Cow Corner said:

A shared drive and an east facing garden would be hard nos from me.

100% this

[wyson]

Would help if you posted plans and prices.

[abzmike]

B.

Only thing to check - what may get built at the bottom of the garden. New build estates tend to grow in unexpected ways.

[leef44]

remedy said:

Just going by what you have posted, B all day.

SW garden so light into the evening in the summer. Easy facing as per A gets you morning sun but it will be a cold dark autumn winter after 11.
Shared drive is a big avoid for me.
Bigger kitchen too.

Not bothered about ASHP as a new build will be very efficient for retaining heat.

Yep, I totally agree with this.

With the north-ish facing front you have less issue with the sun when washing the car.

I would avoid shared driveways whenever possible. And here you have an option to avoid it.

[OutInTheShed]

I agree about shared drives and all that, but some people need a study to do their job.
You have to consider not just your current jobs, but any future job options and who you're eventually going to sell to.

Which house will be more desirable in 10 years time?
Many couples will want parking with charging for two EVs by then.

Location and lifestyle wins most of the time though. Being able to do what you want without driving miles, nice places to go without getting in your car, shorter commutes, more choice etc, can outweigh some non-ideal features.