to not know how to "pick" a house?

[cjt110]

We bought our first home together in 2009 and it was a repossession without a chain. At the time it was just us and an apartment in a nice area was just "it" for us.

We now have DS and have a few things we would like when we buy our next place. The only problem is, we can get those things but in an area we don't want to live in, or stick in our desired area and get what we want. It's not just to do with budget - the area we live in was a milltown and as such it doesnt have properties that are semi/detached with a drive and garage and garden.... Just terraced houses, or back to backs. Sigh.

So how do you pick a house... We don't intend to look seriously maybe for another 6-12 months but we have been looking at whats about. We find the perfect place and its the completely wrong side of town.

[missymayhemsmum]

Make a list. Must haves, would like to haves, would definitely not wants. No of rooms, garden, parking, Max travel times, school catchment, etc.
Look at every property that has the minimum must-haves and is within your budget, and score on the would like to haves and the would prefer to haves. Think through the next 10 years or so, and then go with your gut feeling.

[cjt110]

See this is it missmayhemsmum I want this house to be the one we move into and don't move ever again so its pretty scary really as we want to make sure we get it right.

[cjt110]

The issue is we live in a great area, with great schools but none of the houses have the driveway, garage or semi/datechedness we want!

[NinkyNonkers]

Well if they don't, they don't! You see so many programmes where people have seen 100 houses over 4 yrs Nd can't find what they want...maybe it doesn't exist! You have identified what the housing stock in your area is like, if it isn't for you then you need to look elsewhere or up the budget if that is what it takes. Try looking at smaller towns/villages on bus routes or a bit more suburban/rural.