Cloth Nappy Tree Forum

Ok. So the offer we put in was rejected! But we are in a fortunate position that we can afford the sort of house we want in the area we want without selling this house first, and we need to get a wriggle on, because we have to apply for schools in January - as an aside, does anyone know if you can apply for a school if you don't live in the area yet, but are waiting for the sale to go through?

Anyway, we are torn between two houses.

House number 1:
five mins walk from my mum and my sister (in different directions!)
cul-de-sac
off road parking for three + cars
lovely garden, but it looks quite 'old' so would need to start again and on a slope
one minute walk to the primary school
five minute drive to both our works
close to church
good layout
needs new kitchen and bathroom, decorating throughout and long term either a loft-conversion or extension
two roads away from an estate with a dodgy reputation.



House number two:
soooo pretty
village outside the town so quieter in general
lovely garden, but longer/thinner rather than square, and not easily visible from house, blank canvas - lawn and shrubs/trees and all level
ten/fifteen minutes from work,
fifteen/twenty minutes from mum/sister
easier access to main road for visiting in-laws/london/beach etc
downstairs bathroom
would just need a bit of colour short term, long term either a loft conversion or extension
less of a value ceiling

Two looks lovely, but if you like both I'd probably go with no 1

Ooh i think thats a toughie, no wonder you're a bit torn. I really dont know, it depends on how they feel i suppose. Have you viewed them, did one feel right over the other?

My heart says two, based on the info you give.

The distances from things aren't prohibitive. The location and value potential sound 'better,' plus sounds like it needs less spent on it short term. But it's really good to have two strong contenders!

Have you viewed them yet? I'm terrible at choosing stuff, but property literally speaks to me as I walk in the door! You just know somehow....

Oh, and re schools, around here (Scotland, but this prob varies by authority anyway), if a school is very over subscribed, they require to see concluded missives (ie you are the completed legal owner), not just intent to buy. But not in every school, so prob best to ring and ask.

Good luck!

I like two from the outside, i wouldnt be put off by the distances, but the internal layout may not work for you particularly with the downstairs bathroom.

With no. 1 how easy is it to get to the dodgey estate? if its easy to get to, particularly through back streets etc you may get a lot of undersriables wandering past or using your road as a rat run.

What are the schools like for both?

2 almost entirely to be away from the dodgy estate. for us area was far more important than the property, as its somthing you cant change. however the garen lacking visability would be an issue too i think.

would you keep looking for a no 3??!

I get a feeling your heart is saying two! Location is def important as it is the one unchangeable so in the face of options I'd maybe give number one a swerve and go for two xxx

I see I'm the odd one out lol! For me the downstairs bathroom and general layout of the house would put me off. It does depend how dodgy the estate is, but I bought a house in a 'rough' area a few years ago) admittedly I didn't have children at the time) and it was no-where near as bad as people made it out to be x

teganplus2 wrote:I get a feeling your heart is saying two! Location is def important as it is the one unchangeable so in the face of options I'd maybe give number one a swerve and go for two xxx

I agree with Toni - it sounds like your heart is saying 2.....!