I would go bigger/older - I look forward to renovating one day, so I wouldnt buy a house all pretty and ready to go. As long as it is structurally (sp?) sound. Close to DH's work sounds good too!
honestly, i'd go the smaller house with land if it's going to be enough for you and your family (given number 3 is it) - a bit of space, as the kids get older, makes for more for them to do. we have the opportunity to sell of one of our house blocks to give us a bit of cash to help out, but we're not doing it as we like the fact we can have our vegies, we can have fruit trees, can play footy out the back.... yes, we have a bigger house at the moment, but i've done the small house thing - if i could have big house small block, small house big block, i'd take the smaller house... plus, reno's can get mighty exxy and will often get left until another day - which means you're living in a house that isn't your ideal long term
only you and DH can make the decision about where to live. ultimately, 20 mins travel isn't far. living out of the city area is great for your kids. you'll make the decision that is right for you both hun
530sqm ain't a big block - longer term I would prefer more room for the kids.
Renos always cost more money and take more time than anticipated - unless you really had a passion for renovation I wouldn't see that as a plus.
With number 3 so close to arriving, I'd prefer a house that was more comfortable to live in right now, especially after all the upheaval of moving.
Plus I'm funny about power lines...I'd prefer to be away from them.
20 minutes isn't far to travel.
Depending on how close it was to the flight path, the smaller house would be my preference.
ETA: Another option is to pick the house you think will appreciate in value the most over the next 5 years and buy that one - 3 minutes to the city surely would be the most likely candidate here. Live in it, make some improvements and you'll have more money to buy the "forever house" in few years time, unless school catchments are likely to be an issue and you need to stay in the same area to get the school you want for your DS.
i would go option A, definitely, as there is more opportunity for adding value. Over the next few years you can invest any spare money you have into your property, which is adding value to your asset.
So many things to take into consideration other than just the houses!
Like what will these areas be like in 5, 10 yrs time? Are you planning on staying htere for a long time? Will the house grow with you? Could you extend/renovate easily in the future if you need to? Do you/will have animals is there space for them? What about ease of 'being' in the house (you mention one is 2-storey) do you think you will be comfortable with how they are laid out? Public transport, schools, day cares, shops, infrastructure etc in the area? Future building for the area? Will the house maintain it's value in the furture if you sell later? Are you prepared to care for a bigger block of land? If you (in the future) and DH have to travel 20+mins to and from work each day, that's 40ish mins less per day (not much really but still...). Will you use the yard much (think weather, inclination to do 'stuff' outside ect...) Will add more if I htink of it....
But personally I think I'd take a bigger house, just cause I'm living in a shoe box now (2br unit) and I HATE it with a passion. I am indoors more with the kids than outside, so it matters to me to have my own space to move in.
The power lines might concern me, but what kind of problems/implications are there because of them??
I would go for the bigger block for a lot of the things BG has mentions. Saying that though I do live the 15-20 minutes out of town and it is a pita with making friends. I grew up in Launceston, so my full answer would depend on exactly where you were choosing to live. From talking to friends who still live there, there can be a real issue getting tradies for renovations. One live on a bit of a slope,which is far from unusual for L'ton, and they had real trouble getting trades (like roofers) to give them a quote. Depending on the trade many do not want the small jobs, or they are only interested in working on new builds.
ETA: whilst 20 minutes is not far for many of us, my experience in Tassie is that many think it is too far. I was actually one of those people when I lived there :blush:
Last edited by Astrid; October 11th, 2009 at 02:28 PM.
: more info
Having older children i would take closer to the city, the less you have to drive them around to see friends/PT jobs etc the better. This would only be if you are planning on staying there a few years obviously!
Just a comment on adding value to the asset, I guess I see the asset as being the land. That's what's going to appreciate in value - the house itself will depreciate. So personally, I'd go the bigger block. But that's coming from someone who is looking to one day buy a house we like rather than one to 'do up' as we'd be one of those couples who never gets the renos finished, LOL.
GL with your decision, mate.
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