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AIBU?

Aibu to take a risk and stick with my gut feelings?

92 replies

lavenderbongo · 13/02/2013 17:58

DH have fallen in love with a house. We have put in an offer which has been accepted and we are now going through all rhe builders checks and legal checks. I should point out we live in NZ so a bit different to UK.

The house we love is a bit unusual. Its was designed by an architect who lived in it for 20 years and is now in need of a bit of love and care. Its also in a slightly odd position as its sits in the middle of a small woodland.

Its also on stilts (not unusual in this part of the world) and is built into the rock in places.

My parents have now made it clear they are not happy about us buying this place. They are worried about maintainance and re-sale value. We are having structural engineers and builders check it out. We know the roof will need some repair in the near future (although is fine at the mo).

I just feel like everyone thinks we are rather nutty for buying this property. But we really have considered it carefully and do not want to sell it in the near future - i want my kids to grow up there. I know it needs maintainance - we are prepared for that.

I should point out that my parents have not seen the house in reality - they are going by photos and google earth. My friends also think we are slightly odd - but admit its in a nice location.

Has anyone else taken a bit of risk when buying their dream home. Did it work out in the end. I am worried that maybe I should be listening to people - but then I dont want to own a conventional house when we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to own something a bit different,

OP posts:

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MooseBeTimeForCoffee · 13/02/2013 18:03

Sounds fab. After all, it's not your parents living in it, is it? If you understand work needs doing and are happy and have the means to pay for it then its not their problem!

Any pics?

BonzoDooDah · 13/02/2013 18:05

Sounds like a dream house to me. And it's you buying it not your parents so say to them - we love it and hopefully you will come to do so too.

Go for it - sounds like a great chance to live somewhere special. (And what's teh utterly worst that can happen? ALL the survey people are wrong?? not likely) Good luck!

BonzoDooDah · 13/02/2013 18:05

And yes - pics?? - sounds fab!

lollilou · 13/02/2013 18:06

It sounds amazing. Go with your instincts, it sounds like you love it and are prepared to do work on it so I say yanbu.
Would also love to see pics.

Lamazeroo · 13/02/2013 18:08

Are your parents Kiwis or Brits? I can imagine that if they're British then iti might be a bit strange and out of their realm of experience and knowledge. I'd go for it, sounds brilliant!

madonnawhore · 13/02/2013 18:08

Sounds gorgeous. I know New Zealand well and can imagine just the sort of house you mean.

Anyway, isn't it much easier to get planning permission and build what you like in NZ? I thought you didn't have to jump through hoops like you do in the UK to put on extensions or even knock the whole lot down and start again.

If you like it, buy it. The land alone will hold its resale value.

MammaTJ · 13/02/2013 18:08

Sounds lovely, though we can't possibly judge without seeing pics.

Whippoorwhill · 13/02/2013 18:09

Sits in my suburban semi and dreams of a house on stilts in the middle of a wood.

You are SO not being unreasonable!

CheerfulYank · 13/02/2013 18:13

I want to see too!

My parents moved my brother and me into a decrepit log cabin that had been empty for 25 years and had no running water or electricity at the time. Everyone told them they were insane, but it is gorgeous now, and was a lovely place to grow up. :)

wonkylegs · 13/02/2013 18:15

Sounds cool although possibly daunting if your of a more conservative nature.
I grew up in two cool & different houses - I think it helped my siblings and I shape our creative sides (we all work in creative industries & I am an architect)
If you have your eyes open to the possible challenges that it might have I don't see the problem. Houses like this only don't work for people who expect to live in them like regular houses.
Hope it all works out I'm jealous I'm house hunting at the moment and can't find a plot to build on or a house I can work with in the area we need to be in

fryingpantoface · 13/02/2013 18:15

I really want to see it now.

Yanbu. I'm very jealous

cuttingpicassostoenails · 13/02/2013 18:17

I think you should ignore the parents and do what feels right to you. We live on a 128 year old iron tug. Used to be steam powered but now has a lovely old diesel engine in her. She has been our cruising home for the last 16 years and in that time she has used up all our money and all of our time BUT we have had a fantastic life living aboard and have spent up to 10 months of the year out at anchor in some of the most beautiful places in the country. I don't regret a minute of it even though she is now a bit too much for us to manage and we will be downsizing to a narrow boat. Only the increasing problems associated with getting older have persuaded us to change her for something smaller and confined to the canals.

Buy your house, enjoy living in it and have fun!

You will not regret the things you do, only the things you did not do.

Beaverfeaver · 13/02/2013 18:33

We took a risk by buying a small 2 bed detached house which has a huge protected tree growing just 2 inches from the wall.

But we loved the house.

Lived here 3 years now and the tree hasn't grown much. It's a very slow growing species.

Can't remove it because its protected and if we did it would cause more damage to the house

ArtyFartyQueen · 13/02/2013 18:40

It sounds wonderful! Are your parents looking at it from their point if view or yours? They might be at a different stage of their life so would consider it risky and top troublesome but for you and your family it could be perfect! I second pics too - it sounds amazing!

ReluctantMother · 13/02/2013 18:42

Sounds magical! You will regret it if you don't take the risk.

lavenderbongo · 13/02/2013 18:57

Wow - thanks everyone. Sitting here on the verge of tears. Buying house is so stressfull and emotive.
Cuttingpicasso - your lifestyle sounds fab! Bit nervous to post pics as the estate agent details do make it look like a wooded shack in the woods :)

OP posts:

badguider · 13/02/2013 18:58

Sounds great. My parents grew up in old cold houses before central heating and they brought us up in and now live in a new build - they can't understand why DH and u want have chosen old houses or that they're now far more comfortable than when they were young.

CloudsAndTrees · 13/02/2013 19:00

If you have strong gut feelings about it, then follow them! Mine have never let me down.

lavenderbongo · 13/02/2013 19:00

www.realestate.co.nz/1879479

OP posts:

YellowDinosaur · 13/02/2013 19:02

Who cares if it's a shack in the wood, or a lean to, or a tent. It's your dream home, presumably you can afford it and you're clearly realistic about maintenance.

Unless they're buying it for you it's none of your parents business so I'd be politely thanking them for their advice but telling them you'll be doing as you and dh see fit.

californiaburrito · 13/02/2013 19:03

That house is amazing!

Do it!
Do it!

ColouringInQueen · 13/02/2013 19:04

It looks amazing! If you can afford it - and any poss long term maintenance then go for it!

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YellowDinosaur · 13/02/2013 19:06

Phone not letting me see properly but from what I can see that looks amazing :)

CheerfulYank · 13/02/2013 19:10

Ooh, that's cool! Do it :)

tompuss · 13/02/2013 19:15

OP you do realise that, having seen this, we are ALL coming to yours now! Just fab, Do it!

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