I have seen a house I love in an amazing area but it is at the top of our budget & needs completely redone (absolutely everything). Financially it will be tight to do everything we want, but will be amazing when finished. I've also seen a house I really like in a good area, just a bit bigger than we have currently but plenty of space for the next few years & doesn't need much work & is less expensive. Financially, things wouldn't be so tight & it does have a better school catchment but I'd be looking for something better again in a few years time (with resulting stamp duty etc). WWYD - have things more comfortable financially & move again in a few years or go for your dream house and accept no holidays, less money all round (I appreciate that people are in dire financial straits & therefore I know we are lucky, but I would be interested in the opinion of others).