house vs location

last year

I’m torn between 2 houses.

One is a cottage style 1910 3 bed semi with very small dimensions and tiny garden - but on a beautiful prestigious road. It’s one of the smallest houses on the road with lots of big detached houses around it. Asking price is £235k, needs about £50,000 spending on it.

The other is a beautiful 1930s detached 4 bed house which needs nothing doing it it. However it’s on a road full of really run down 1950s semis and there’s a privately owned bowls club behind it which I’m terrified might get sold to a property developer as was the case for some land opposite it. Asking price is £310k but about £3k to spruce up slightly.

What would you choose? Space and large detached but iffy road or cosy and compact semi on a great road?

Obviously these houses are in the North…

Featured Answer

Juliet Docherty

last year

In terms of investment, Location. In terms of happiness once the front door is closed, go for the house you love. Ask an estate agent.....

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Comments (15)

Angie
last year
Go for the house which makes your heart sing when you walk in! And if a nearby development possibility is a deal breaker, keep searching.
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Jonathan
last year
You can look at the local authority development plans….. they are in the public domain and they give you a good idea of what land might get developed in the next decade. Personally I wouldn’t worry about the bowls club disappearing and I would see it as a positive.

But I agree with the earlier advice of - go with your heart.
Sarah U-S
last year
Definitely go with your heart! Has the smaller cottage got any space to extend in the future? Also think about what space you actually need now and in the future….
Liz W
Original Author
last year
Thank you! The bigger house is winning more at the moment. I cant imagine needing more space in the bigger house, whereas I feel I’d grow out of the pretty cottage quite quickly and there’s no room to extend. The bigger house definitely made my heart sing.
88wj88
last year
It depends how long you are planning on staying there. If you could renovate and add value to the cottage style on the prestigious street. You may be able to then afford a larger house on the same street. A house in a rundown area will not appreciate in value. If you are truly not bothered about your surroundings now but feel the area is up and coming, that is different. However, I bought a small house in a prestigious suburb in Leeds for 250k renovated it and sold it for 385k some years later. Location has it !
Jane Butler
last year
I would say neither and keep looking. Given the potential for development on the second and how that could devalue the house as well as the fact that neighbours don't seem to be taking care of their houses I would avoid but the first doesn't sound big enough for you.
Liz W
Original Author
last year
I’ve done more research. The area of the bigger 1930s house is getting large amounts of redevelopment from the local council and is being seen as “up and coming” - I’m not looking for a house to do up and sell on, it’s taken over 2 years to get this far as we’ve lost out on so many houses in this climate. I’m looking for a home, maybe/hopefully a forever home, so in the long run the 1930s big house has won it for me. We put in an offer of £285k and agreed on £295k which I’m really happy with. Just have to see what the survey comes back with and fingers crossed we actually get to the finish point with this one compared to all the others in the last 2 years! Also there’s a big push for green space and none is being allowed to be built on, so that helps with the bowling green at the back! Thank you for all your advice though! I appreciate it
tamp75
last year
Fingers crossed this house goes through to completion!
Sonia
last year
Great news and a great price. Following your heart is always best with a forever home.
Liz W
Original Author
last year
Just an update! We completed on the 1930s larger home yesterday and I’m so happy! We went with our hearts and have not been disappointed - the survey came back gleaming and the previous owners had really looked after it well.
Liz W
Original Author
last year
Bowling club ended up being council owned and “green infrastructure” so will hopefully take a lot of effort for them to change that. The 1950s houses aren’t 1950s at all, they’re 1930s but most had “facelifts” in the 50/60/70s which are now needing replacing- but the owners seem to be renovating a lot along the street now which is really encouraging! Survey only showed mild woodworm in the loft so that’s being treated on Monday! Now to the decorations plans…!!!
Sonia
last year
I’m so pleased for you. My house is a 1930s house and I just love it. Those huge windows! Good luck with your decorating 😊
PRO
allex king
last year
HI, Decorate your old house with your favorite things
Angie
last year
Thanks for the update. Good to know you’ve found somewhere you love and that is in good condition by the sound of it. Enjoy!

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