Which House Would You Take?

[forHISglory]

We have been house hunting and have narrowed down to two choices. We've been pondering those choices, but sometimes (as you may well know), it takes an outsider to make some things clearer. I'll lay out a listing of facts about each house. Based on those facts, which house seems to be the better bargain? What else do you need to know? What else should we consider?

House 1:
1. cost: $189,000
2. annual taxes: $1600
3. 4 years old
4. 1900 sq. ft. ranch with full basement
5. 2 fireplaces
6. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, generous closet space
7. master suite with shower only (no tub)
8. nice cabinets
9. mismatched, 4 year old appliances (all kitchen appliances included, but not a washer and dryer)
10. front porch and screened in 3 seasons room
11. two car garage
12. very small lot, not much room for garden
13. nicely landscaped
14. solid structure and construction of house
15. good flow, open floorplan
16. unfinished basement with bathroom rough-in, 2 rooms framed, but not finished
17. in exclusive neighborhood with very strict restrictions
18. good location close to where we would shop, quiet street
19. Flooring: new carpet, vinyl
20. thermopane windows
21. gas heat, central air

House 2:
1. cost: $187,000
2. annual taxes: $1200
3. brand new construction
4. 1700 sq. ft. ranch with full basement
5. no fireplaces
6. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, all are oversized
7. master suite, whirlpool tub and shower
8. awesome state of the art cabinets, pantry, pull out shelving, corian tops, huge kitchen
9. top line stainless steel kitchen appliances included; also new front loading washer and dryer included
10. front porch, covered back deck
11. 2 car garage, oversized
12. large lot (it's 3 city lots)
13. no landscaping at all, other than grass
14. solid structure and construction
15. good flow, open floorplan
16. unfinished basement, with bathroom rough in; also has safe room built into the basement
17. in average older neighborhood, probably the nicest house on the block
18. location is farther out (within a couple miles of where we shop), quiet street
19. flooring: carpet, ceramic tile
20. thermopane windows
21. gas heat, central air

[Michelle]

Are you a gardener?

You mention that house #1 is close to shops...how close? Because you said house #2 is within a couple of miles of where you shop (which is pretty close too).

What kind of restrictions are there at house #1?

[nuisance26]

~Hmm. They almost sound too close to call.
Something you didn't list but would be important to me if I was choosing a home as a senior, is wheelchair accessibility.
Personally, between the two homes, I'd choose #1. No matter how tiny the lot, there's always room to garden. You just have to be more creative about it. I'd rather be forced to be creative about the lot than to be stuck with too much yard to take care of.
And I'd want to be closer to shopping.
And that 3 season room and 2 fireplaces just sound so pleasant!~

[forHISglory]

Thanks for the feedback.

Michelle:
Are you a gardener? Yes. I want a large veggie garden, some fruit trees, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, and flowers.

You mention that house #1 is close to shops...how close? Within 5-6 blocks. Because you said house #2 is within a couple of miles of where you shop (which is pretty close too). This is a small town, about 17,000.

What kind of restrictions are there at house #1? Must keep at least 2 trees in the front yard, cannot modify house exterior or grounds without association approval, cannot have any type of shed or outbuilding, one pet only, cannot keep mower or trailer on property (must be in garage), cars cannot park on street, cannot have yard sales, etc. I understand that they are to protect the value of the property

[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/member.php?u=8246"]Frugal Village Forums[/ame]:
Neither is set up to be wheelchair accessible. Each has a step up to the front porch and another step through the door. Interior has wide halls, but nothing else is specifically designed for that.

[hotprincesscm]

I would go with number two! That would be my choice! It's a new house, bigger lot, less restrictions, has the tub in the master suite. Personally I would go with number two!

[Michelle]

House #2. It's a close call, but house #2 has enough yard for a garden. House #1 sounds too "foofy" in terms of the restrictions, and I wouldn't want to worry about stuff like that. Also, I don't like the heat loss from fireplaces, so those aren't a plus for me. In fact, we have a fireplace in our home, and we've never used it (been here for 11 yrs).

Good luck...I can see why you're having a hard time choosing! :goodluck:

[McD]

Personally, I'd go for number 2. The whirlpool tub is a kicker for me. I did notice that you said it was new construction though! Make sure you investigate and do your background on the builder. Because if the builder goes bankrupt all of a sudden, whatever warranty was offered with that home will be null and void. It happened to a crap ton of people up here when the housing market when bust.

[stinkbug]

Hands down...#2. A huge kitchen is a must for me...and room to roam. And with all that yard work...you'll want that tub!!! Do you have any photos?? When we were looking we took tons of digital photos and then sat in bed at night and looked at them on the laptop. It really gave us a different perspective to be able to compare them side by side.

[coup]

I'd pick #2.

#1 doesn't have a washer and dryer and the mismatched appliances would drive me crazy. The tub in the master bath is also a requirement for me! And the room to garden. You might not be allowed to put a clothes line up at house #1.

Let us know which one you pick!

[forHISglory]

Good thoughts on the clothes line! MrsMacDowell, House 2 has a warranty but House 1 does not. We will need to investigate the builder; thanks for mentioning that.

[happimommi]

House #2. Too many restrictions with #1. That would be such a pain. And the kitchen in #2 sounds wonderful.

[jettsmom]

#2 sounds good. New matching appliances and w/d are a plus. You could add a wood burning stove in the future, if that was important.

I don't like restrictions on what I can do with MY property. I understand they want everything to look nice, but it just wouldn't work for my family. We too many cars, so some park on the street and the boys have visitors and they park on the street. I'd want to be able to have a garden, possible clothes line, pets, etc. #1 sounds too snooty for me.

[Momof3girls]

I think it depends on your age and lifestyle.
If you are younger and want a big vegetable garden or a large yard for kids, pets or a pool and don't mind walking to town; I would go with number two. You can always add on to a house if you need more space.

If you are older and want to use a car less and want less maintenance on a home and yard I would go with number one.

[Missy]

if it were me...number 2...withouut looking back. HOA restrictions about everything...ugh, no thanks!! plus number 2 has a better price, a better tax, you can start your landscaping from a clean slate...it's bigger property....

[McD]

Also, just a second thought, you mentioned that property number one was in some sort of an association. Are there monthly or annual association fees?