WWYD ~ Dream forever home

[Dreamhouseornot]

Hello,

WWYD

Our house is under offer and we have started to view houses. It’s down to two possibly houses (hubby thinks one and I think the other)

Option 1
The dream forever home, amazing location, amazing south facing garden, room for our teen/adult children and space for them to stay with families in the future when they leave home.
Perfect for entertaining, all done up with nothing to do
BUT We would be highly mortgaged and probably won’t be able to afford the 2/3 holidays a year we currently have and as many days out etc (but could still manage 1 holiday a year)
It is the house I’ve manifested my whole life and work so incredibly hard, would feel like it’s all been worthwhile.
If interests rates go down in a couple of years we could look at a new deal which would perhaps decrease the monthly payments?

Option 2
Still a nice house, but smaller not as good as an area but still nice, small north facing garden but still enough room inside - bathrooms and decor we would change over time but no rush.
Much smaller mortgage so would be able to holiday when we like and buy treats, days out, take away now and again, weekly cleaner etc

Which one would you go for or have you done and did you regret it or was it the best decision ever

Thank you

Depends how much you value holidays, days out , treats etc could you honestly live without all of these? if yes then go for option 1

How rude of them not dying off early enough for you!

As long as health isn’t an issue (and we’ve future proofed this house to a degree) this will be me and dh because we’ve bloody well bought and paid for it!

Option 1. Nothing to do - you can get on with living your best life (bar the holidays). You can travel once the kids have left home. In the meantime enjoy sitting in your lovely sunny garden with g&t’s and fun family days out.

Option 2. False economy. The joy of having lower mortgage payments and living in a little house won’t last long (and nor will the money when you decide you need a kitchen extension).

Damn those old people choosing to live in a house they’ve paid for in an area where they have a community, probably good neighbours and feel safe and secure. How dare they feel they have a choice?

I don't think it's a false economy. DP and I went for option 2 and were mortgage-free in our 40s. We've both scaled back our jobs and are working blissfully low hours. Pensions are in good shape and the free days each week are a godsend.

Yes, the house is crowded and we have to move the bin to open the dishwasher, but it's so worth it!

How much is the mortgages compared to your income ?
We have just moved to our forever house and absolutely love it .. to be honest we don't have a mortgage but the value it's brought to our lives would be worth it