Help on choosing houses in Westford (Acton, Groton: cul-de-sac, broker, first time home buyer)

[initid]

We are first time home buyer, we are concurrently looking for a home in Westford. We have been seeing open houses since early July (at the mean time getting educated about the housing market)

So, we have now narrowed down to two properties in Westford. The first one is located in a cul-de-sac off Groton Rd (Rt. 40), it's a beautiful contemporary style house, the overall design and layout of the house is a little quirky with master suite on the first floor, gas heating, lots of up-keeping such as newer windows, recent painting interior and exterior, etc. The second one is in South Westford, colonial style, oil heating, had quite some updates such as bathroom updates, new septic tank, newer heating/AC, and recently exterior painting, etc. It's in the middle portion of a long dead end road. The owner just recently had mold remediation done in the attic, he actually even replaced the roof and added softfit vent to improve the ventilation in the attic - but that also indicates there is mold issue in the attic.

They are both around 3000 sq feet in size, and their listing prices are almost the same as well. House#1 is a little newer than House#2 (1987 vs. 1984)

House#1 is 6 miles farther from my workplace (almost same distance for my wife's commute)

So, I need your help on the following:

1. Which part of Westford is more desirable: north part (more specifically on Rt. 40)? or South Westford?
2. Heating/hot water: for houses of 3000 sq feet, what's the ball park number of fuel cost in a normal year (last year being the exception) for gas? and what's the number for oil?
3. Is it an issue for House#1 to have the master suite is on the first floor with all the rest bedrooms on the second floor?
4. For House#2, should I be concerned about the mold issue in the attic? even though it's treated?

We will go to see the houses for a second time and then we need to decide which house we should choose, so any comments/insights are welcome! Thank you.

[DAOBoston]

For question 1 - not sure what you mean by "desirable" as this differs for people. Also, for south Westford, I assume you mean the area south of 110 off and around 225. I don't think there's a huge difference between the two areas. I think the south part of town is more rurual and residential and more scenic (this area is closer to Carlisle and Acton). Rte 40 itself is not all that exciting and is also fairly busy. But the north part is closer to the commerical conveniences of Nashua, NH where many Westford residents shop, eat out, etc. For me, I would take the south Westford location -- particularly if it's closer to work -- but it's really a personal choice. I would drive the areas and decide which appeals to you.

For question 3 - again it's a personal thing. It would be an issue for me and I think for buyers with kids who generally want bedrooms on the same floor as kids. How long do you plan on being in the house? If it doesn't bother you, and you intend to stay for some time, I wouldn't view this as a deal breaker. What does your broker think for resale purposes? I'm sure broker is best resource for knowing what Westford buyers typically look for.

For question 4 - I would be concerned, but it does sound like the seller has taken action to not only remove the mold, but to also fix the cause of the mold. Ultimately, you need your buildling inspector to make the call here. You should also make sure you have the right to get out of an offer if inspector thinks it's an issue. I'd also want to make sure I have an inspector that is qualified to opine on mold issues.

Hope this helps.

[gf2020]

House 1 wins: cul de sac location and gas heat

Lots of people would prefer a first floor MBR.