I'm a first time home buyer. My gf and I have household income of 225k. She has about 20k in debt. I'm looking at two adjacent townhomes. I could either get one for 680k (1700sqft) that's not very nice on the inside and needs to be essentially remodeled or refinished entirely. Alternatively, I could get it's neighbor for 740k (1400sqft) where the work is already done and it's very pretty, essentially how I'd redo the cheaper one. I can afford the down payment on either at 20% and can get a great rate below 3%. Only other thing I'd say is my gf and I currently split rent on an apt the same size (1300sqft) in a neighborhood we like for $2400 per month, so cheaper than the monthly payments on mortgage insurance tax HOA. The lease goes through November but I'd want to close on a house in a couple weeks cus these things are flying right now.

How should I approach the decision on the two properties versus just staying in the apartment? Is there an incentive to do the work myself on the cheaper home (contracting it obviously, not diy)? Not knowing anything about construction or contracting it's hard for me to know if the renovation would cost more than the difference or what deductions I might get if any. Thanks in advance.