Choose my house

[olive]

Arab/Mexican! She must be illegal with no car! We need a wall.

Exactly. No one asked if we’re ok either. Just slowed down for a good gawp.

There is a housing association fee for all properties but this is paid for by the landlord but we’ll have to do lawn maintenance and window cleaning ourselves. We’ve asked for approx costs and it’s not too bad but definitely something to bear in mind.

We’re taking it unfurnished and the other rooms are lovely. I think the downstairs is my favourite of all the houses.

This is the front reception room which leads to the kitchen, which is the obvious dining room;

405D7094-C907-4617-A9D9-1CFB0A8402DD.jpeg

This is the kitchen table (actual kitchen is behind) and the room with the giant windows is to the left all over looking the garden.

FB9BB4F7-76CA-49D8-A0EE-90E5731545A0.jpeg

This is the other room as you come in which is being used an office. No pics online so it’s my terrible photo;

16D043BC-EAC8-4557-9D19-31557F44B326.jpeg

Also the pic of the outside makes the house look pebble dashed but it’s actually brick.

[olive]

HOWEVER, you coming back and saying 'No-one thinks house 3?' makes me think your heart lies there - whether that's the right reason to make a decision or not, I don't know.

I think this is it. I’m pretty sure I’m being blinded by how beautiful house 3 is.

[olive]

It’s not like house 2 is shabby though but I don’t like the lack of hallway.

As you walk in you can see straight to the back of the house from the front door;

35D13030-67EB-476A-AE9F-0E0D681E9036.jpeg

Room to the left;

D7F7F9B0-BE89-41FC-AD09-17459E50A90E.jpeg

Room to the right;

11D7ABC3-1182-4E57-B096-B8233E502839.jpeg

There aren’t any rooms or spaces to close off and if one of them is a playroom then it’s always going to have to be tidy as people come in.

[Glint]

If you went with no3, how far is the nearest gym/ pool: tennis? I think that's what's swinging no2 for me even if it's not the one I like the look of most.

[olive]

The again the kitchen and family living area at the back has this window;

E0810CCA-2F30-49B9-ACCA-4B612EADE3C6.jpeg

Which you can see from the upstairs landing as it’s double height.

65145A8E-8EB9-4B0B-B894-4901C880BA46.jpeg

And the other side of the landing is the front which isn’t too shabby either;

9B6216E6-BCD6-4947-9651-B70BCD975834.jpeg

But then I come back to the entirely open downstairs and how much that’ll niggle me...

[cluefree]

I like 3 best, but the swim/tennis thing sounds like it would be a significant difference for you all day to day. Is there a compromise there?

[Glint]

If house 2 will niggle you, then it's not right for you. Would it his house be the one you'd stay in until you came back or could you move if it wasn't for you?

[Hamm]

We only had one child and bedrooms so we had two with a Jack and Jill that were bedroom and playroom and two that were guest. Could your boys share a bedroom and have the other as play? I was a bit strong on stuff laid around but that was 50 I don't like it and 50 I had dogs, fosters etc who frequently threw up Lego or just GI joe's hands.

We've done 3 totally open plan, for actual living it's fine. You can cook and supervise homework, tv etc but cooking smells (pet hate) are not controlled and on bad days you can't shut the kitchen door and drink wine and listen to sweary music.

[Little My]

I think I'd pick 3. But does it have a nice backyard to make up for lack of swimming/tennis?

[Hamm]

How is the light? Number 3 is more cheerful but I think that's paint and possibly different times of day.

[olive]

Number 3 is now off the table. The realtor called to say the current tenants can’t move out until end of March so it’s not available until 1st April.

I’m gutted but I guess it makes the choice a bit easier. Fingers crossed that house 2 is still available!

[Little My]

Fingers crossed! It's really pretty, Olive.

Have the kids been to see it?

[Hamm]

I'm a believer in what is yours won't go by you so 3 was not going to be a good place.

[olive]

Yes, boys saw and loved it!

We only had one child and bedrooms so we had two with a Jack and Jill that were bedroom and playroom and two that were guest. Could your boys share a bedroom and have the other as play?

The boys share now and it’s not ideal as T struggles to sleep so could do with a later bedtime whereas M is up at 5am so needs an earlier bedtime.

Plus as M is only 5 I’d prefer if he had his play dates downstairs so I could keep an eye on him.

I’m sure I can get loads of storage to try and minimise the mess.

[Hamm]

It is open plan but not small. A run to IKEA will sort storage and then it's just a 10 min around. A dog helps, move it or it's eaten does motivate.

[olive]

I'm a believer in what is yours won't go by you so 3 was not going to be a good place.

True. I only saw it yesterday and we’d already made an offer on 2 last week that was rejected. I only saw it to confirm whether 2 was the right choice.

I’m going to be gutted if 2 is gone too now.

[Hamm]

Although looking at it, does it have a large landing? Mine was similar but I used it for bookcases and my work space, computer etc. IKEA is fab in that it all fits and in SG we had a landing with a massive wardrobe that was only shelves and drawers and completely held the "stuff".

[Hamm]

Fingers crossed, house 1 is not an option. You are only tempted by proximity.

[Little My]

If 2 is gone, then at least now you have explored what you really want and can pounce on something else good.

[Epponnee Rae]

Definitely house no. 2. I hope you get it!