I would chose B, but then, I love changing stuff to making it my own. The big yard and full-light basement would make a big difference to me.
Could you take a renovation loan on top of your mortgage? The advantage is that you can still put down the percentage DP you want and not have to pay the full cost of reno up front. This is what we are probably going to end up doing; you just need to have plans/costs drawn up by closing because the bank wants to ensure the house will appraise for the full value of the loan once the reno is done.
I'd go for House B, but I would try to get a lower price if you could. The bigger backyard and the natural light in the (finished!) basement would be enough for me in this situation where a new kitchen and "road noise" (unless we're talking a major highway here) would be worth the trade-off.
I'm also a HUGE sucker for natural light and the concept of a big backyard, so there's that.
From what you wrote, it REALLY sounds like you want B, but logic says A.
I would cut everything off your list but the things you cannot change, and then choose. Realize, you will not always want to be adjacent to a playground. Once your kids outgrow it, it becomes more of a traffic nuisance.
It's too cold for the playground right now. It's pretty small and geared toward small children. I can't imagine it would be super noisy super late.
The road noise is from a 4-lane road with a speed limit of 40 (although people go 50 on it.) you can't see it from the house and there are trees in between, so it's not that bad either.
Larger lot, cul-de-sac and basement light are things that would be worth it to me. With time you can change out and upgrade the interior. You can't ever get a larger lot or move it to a cul-de-sac for house A. Go with the one that you would like to be in long term - even if that means a little more work the first few years.
Post by sapphireblue on Dec 19, 2014 22:16:03 GMT -5
I would choose house B. The second you described how the yard is bigger I was sold on that one. A nice yard is really important to me. Also, a yard that slopes is not as good for kids to play and it is also harder to mow (depending on the slope).
You can get a great interior by doing it yourself, and the basement sounds a LOT nicer too. Also, the cul-de-sac is huge.
How much longer is it to the playground from house B? A few minutes extra walk?
Also, my only concern would be the road noise, but I can't hear it so that is hard to judge for me.
I chose B by a narrow margin. A lot of it would depend on just how bad the road noise is - is the road a 35mph one with steady traffic going 45? We live near one of those and it's just tolerable (DH minds more than I do). If it was a 45+ speed limit with people going 60 I wouldn't do it, that noise carries. It sounds like financially they're about even, especially if B drops a bit. Of course there's more risk with more renovations, but you can do it the way you want.
One thing to keep in mind with road noise is that it's better/worse certain times of the day. If you've only been there on a Saturday afternoon I would definitely say go check it out during rush hour. And you might not hear it in the house now but think of summer when all the windows will be open.
Edit: also how far is it from the main road? I live just off a main road (not a through street) and when we bought our house we thought no one would ever come down our street but people zip through to turn around all the fricken time. I will never live right off a main road again.
If it makes a difference, you can't hear it from inside.
Are you sure? Have you been there at all hours of the day and night? : )
And all seasons, since the windows will be open at least in the spring and summer?
A noisy neighborhood (well, traffic noise, not nec kids and families noise) would suck to me, and a smaller yard would be a plus, and the fewer renos would be a plus, and the new roof would be a plus, and lots of natural sunlight is not a selling point to me, so A is a nobrainer to me.
It's too cold for the playground right now. It's pretty small and geared toward small children. I can't imagine it would be super noisy super late.
The road noise is from a 4-lane road with a speed limit of 40 (although people go 50 on it.) you can't see it from the house and there are trees in between, so it's not that bad either.
Hard to say.
It's winter. Things might look different once it warms up.
We didn't have a whole lot of issue with our playground (tot lot and T-ball field) this time of year either; just the occasional car with someone smoking weed or "parking". Does anyone still call it that? Come spring the undesirables hang there leaving the odd beer can, syringe or used condom behind- I lived on a creek, so on the second floor and could sometimes see interesting goings on from DS room which was in the corner front of the house.
Most people get used to road noise. My house backs to one of the main N-S roads in the county- 2 lanes 45 mph. I'm sitting about 50' from the road and can't hear cars over the sound of my dishwasher. DS and DH love the traffic sounds. I do find them less noticable since we replaced all our windows (house is almost 30). During the 6 months that our trees and large shrubs are leafed out, the noise is considerably less. I've lost a couple pines along the road which has impacted noise level as well.
Another plus to B- you'll be picking the finishes and they'll be your choice.
It's too cold for the playground right now. It's pretty small and geared toward small children. I can't imagine it would be super noisy super late.
The road noise is from a 4-lane road with a speed limit of 40 (although people go 50 on it.) you can't see it from the house and there are trees in between, so it's not that bad either.
Hard to say.
It's winter. Things might look different once it warms up.
We didn't have a whole lot of issue with our playground (tot lot and T-ball field) this time of year either; just the occasional car with someone smoking weed or "parking". Does anyone still call it that? Come spring the undesirables hang there leaving the odd beer can, syringe or used condom behind- I lived on a creek, so on the second floor and could sometimes see interesting goings on from DS room which was in the corner front of the house.
Most people get used to road noise. My house backs to one of the main N-S roads in the county- 2 lanes 45 mph. I'm sitting about 50' from the road and can't hear cars over the sound of my dishwasher. DS and DH love the traffic sounds. I do find them less noticable since we replaced all our windows (house is almost 30). During the 6 months that our trees and large shrubs are leafed out, the noise is considerably less. I've lost a couple pines along the road which has impacted noise level as well.
Another plus to B- you'll be picking the finishes and they'll be your choice.
I would be shocked if anyone used this playground for anything other than swinging and sliding. There is no place to park and it's very small - maybe three or four pieces of equipment, one of which is just baby swings. Plus, it's right there on the road, so not discreet at all. You'd have to be one hell of a ballsy teen to use it for sex or smoking weed.
Post by rupertpenny on Dec 20, 2014 7:46:07 GMT -5
I read an article in Cosmo or something circa 1995 that said cul-de-sacs have terrible feng shui. Now that's all I can think of when I think of cul-de-sacs. I know absolutely nothing else about feng shui but I don't think I could buy a house on a cul-de-sac because I'd be worried about poison arrows and my chi draining away.
So that's my SUPER helpful contribution to your serious life decision.
Post by compassrose on Dec 20, 2014 9:31:47 GMT -5
We thought about getting a Reno loan and were told they no longer exist as a thing rolled in to your mortgage. You have to get a second, separate loan. Would that make a difference to you?
Post by RoxMonster on Dec 20, 2014 10:22:24 GMT -5
I would personally choose A because I like turn-key houses (with just minimal cosmetic updates needed like the painting, etc). Big renovations don't thrill me. But I know some people love doing that, so if it's up your alley, then go with B.