Help me with a dilemma.

[wideawakenurse]

We are in the process of looking at houses. Our current house is in a excelled location, and has lots of character. But only has two beds and garden too small.

Because of this, I was always convinced that in our next home (forever home) space was the most important factor. To get the space we want we need to compromise on loation and character.

But lately, I am not so convinced. We could get a three bed in a great location at the top of our budget. But obviously that would mean we would need to save to make it perfect for some time.

So, do we just suck it up and go for the space. Or do we blow the budget and expect the smaller house and a long wait to get it just right?

To explain why I thought we needed a four bed. All our family live far away, meaning that they need to stay over when visiting. It's such a upheaval with sofa beds, blow up beds etc and doesn't tend to best the eat experience for guests.

Don't quite understand the question. Are you saying you're not sure whether to:

1 - stay put and save up for the bigger house in the right location
2 - compromise on location
3 - blow the budget, buy the bigger house now and in the right location, but that would mean you couldn't do it up for ages?

If so I'd say 1 or 3. I wouldn't compromise on location myself.

Sorry mini, it's between 2 and 3. Staying in our current house is not an option.

I think the issue is that if we go for a dream location we comprise not only on space but also any work such as kitchens and bathrooms would have to wait too.

Get the family to stay in a B&B, you are looking at £50k for an extra bedroom here, you could put them in the Hilton for 2 weeks every year for the next 25 for that sort of money (plus interest).

Don't buy a bigger home for the sake of guests, that is crazy talk.

if your move is only to accomodate family visits, stay put, if it's for other reasons my advice would always be location, location, location.

Thank you for your replies.

The move is not just to accommodate guests! DC2 on the way, and our current house is far too small.

I see where you are coming from about the guests. To be honest the main issue is with my parents. They have always resented us moving away ( only the other side of the M25 mind)

I sort of feel obliged to offer them a great room and experience when they stay, probably in the hope that they will do it more often.

I think I'd still go for the smaller house, and a wait to do it up, rather than compromise on location.

It depends how much of a compromise it would be though. If it's between two areas you like, just one you like slightly more than the other, then maybe it is worth going to the slightly less preferred area for the extra space and more spare cash for doing it up. But if that's the case I'd expect the price difference wouldn't be much anyway. If it's between an area you like and one you don't much like... definitely go for the one you like.

And it's ridiculous for your parents to resent you moving away! I can understand you wanting to encourage them to visit, but I wonder if their reluctance to visit might be more about their (unreasonable) resentment of you moving away rather than anything to do with the bedroom arrangements... so getting an extra bedroom wouldn't necessarily fix that?

Mini, you have hit the nail on the head! it's a shame, but they see that us setting up home here as a snub. Even though it was about being close to work, good schools etc.

they are being daft IMO. Who expects their children to live near them always!

But that definitely means you shouldn't compromise on location for the sake of an extra bedroom.

Thanks mini. That's the clarity I needed!