Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Buying a house - I probably am BU

33 replies

bluerememberedhills · 29/12/2011 22:45

DH & DS don't really mind as long as they have comfy sofa , beds and somewhere dry to shit. I on the other hand have a dream of a balcony or a little garden where I can grow some plants ......AIBU to dismiss houses because they dont have what I want ? I do realise that I am fortunate to have a choice (although be clear - we are not talking mansions here - we are talking small terraced houses ) But AIBU to hold out for what I want ?

I don't know - I suspect I am and I suspect IABU but a house purchase is a big thing .....

OP posts:
Oblomov · 30/12/2011 12:50

I think YABU, a bit, for a first timer. Balcony? For someone who lives in a flat , and thus wants a garden, for kiddy-winkles to run around in, is fine. But a balcony? come on.
I don't like a lot of houses. I was just browsing, a moment ago, and many of the houses 100k more expensive than ours, I wouldn't buy.
I think houses are a bit like men. dream house. when you see it, your'll know. bit like husbands, sometimes. but as a first timer, I don't think that perogative is open to you.

slowburner · 30/12/2011 12:58

Ah, yes, the deal breakers. Mine is a kitchen we can comfortably eat in and his is an en suite. We both want a veg patch, and a dry warmish workshop. The house we found had every single thing we wanted, but more than that it felt like home, we loved it, I might have shed a few tears that the owners are no longer selling. And we might just talk about 'what happens if the house comes back on the market' more than is good for our sanity.

We're also in rented so able to sit tight for a bit.

DigOfTheStump · 30/12/2011 13:00

What town do you want and we will try to find th perfect house - we need an idea of your budget too.

Takver · 30/12/2011 13:01

I would say that if you are in a rented place that is ok, then I personally would consider at the least waiting until late spring to see what will come on the market. Unless its very different where you are, there is minimal choice at the moment, as people are staying put unless they desperately need to sell, and it seems highly unlikely that prices will go up in the next six months to a year, indeed they could easily fall further. If you've got the finances in place to buy and no chain then you're going to be in a very strong position when you see something that is right for you.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 30/12/2011 13:03

oblomov - to be fair, though, it does depend what kind of 'first time buyer' she is. Some people save for years, so their first house is pretty swish for a first time buyer.

Also, round here, it's easy to get a house with a balcony, because for some reason lots of them were built like that - might it be the OP is also in an area where this isn't an unusual thing?

If it is a bit of a pipe dream, though, OP, I could put you off by saying that our landlords tell us they are a right hassle to maintain and they would never buy a house with one again!

fedupandtired · 30/12/2011 14:10

If you can afford it then of course you're not being unreasonable. If however want you want is way out of your budget then yes you are.

valiumredhead · 30/12/2011 14:44

If you are in a small flat you need to be slightly careful as everything can look huge and an improvement

Personally I would hold out for a garden however small as it has made such a massive difference having one to us as a family. It really is like having another room.

Original poster
bluerememberedhills · 22/05/2019 22:06

I know this is an old zombie thread - but I started it so may I be allowed.

Just in case it helps anyone else buying - we are now 6 years in to the house we bought. I compromised on everything - so - size of house , size of garden ( I suspect people have dining tables bigger than my garden - but big enough for a couple of chairs and a little table plus a raised bed and some pots)

The location is lovely and as my mother says - you can only sit on one chair at once

So I absolutely know this is a zombie thread - but for those looking at houses - I spent ages looking for the perfect house - this one was a compromise , but this many years on it is home and I and family love it.

So just posted to say to people looking for the perfect house - sometimes good enough is good enough and you may well grow to love it.

I hope resurrecting this thread is OK - but I just thought it might be a thought worth considering.

All best to those looking for houses

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread