Welcome one and all, I actually want your opinions today. Come quick! lol

Ok. Situation.

We're renting. We want to buy but right now all we'd be able to afford is living in little old 2br cottages in areas that have some fairly dodgey nicknames.

We have a conundrum, and quandry. We've searched high and low for so long for a landlord who will allow me to do FDC, and now it seems like we've come across two at the same time.

And I'm torn.

Ok, so I know and you know I'm not going to base my decision on what you say, but some other ideas and thoughts will help

One hosue is absolutely perfect, two story, basically it's two houses connected (one downstairs with 2br and one upstairs with 3br), both with kitchens and bathrooms. Perfect for FDC, as I could separate home and work. Fences are high. Ok area. Downside is theres no paved or covered outside area, which is a bugger for our dog who is strictly an outside dog. And for Jazz who loves to play outside on our concrete rain, hail or shine. And it is for sale, has been on the market for 5 months, so we'll only have a 6 month lease at a time. So we may have to go through this whole searching and possibley not finding somewhere to allow us to do FDC again in 6 months, lose business if we have to look in a different area, which would really wreck it.

Second house. Smaller, 4br, 2.5 living areas, so FDC is doable. Ensuite. Outdoor area is GORGEOUS, paved, fenced and gated. Nice area. The perimeter fences are quite short. Owners are caravaning, and lease will be 12 months with a maybe additional 6-12 months after if they extend their trip. We still have to think about moving in 12-24 months though.

Positives for the first one, might push us to buy sooner. Which is a negative because we can't afford anything suitable. Positives for the second, we might be ready to buy in 12-24 months. Negatives to both is that to buy or rent another house I don't think I'd have enough income or at least a long enough time of evidence to support a rental or mortgage application. So might make it harder. Although the real estate agent mentioned that she thought the owner might take house 1 off the market if they got the right tenant, or being tenanted it might bring in investors who will renew a longer lease.

UGH! I dunno!