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Making the right decision

4 replies

makeanentrance · 18/12/2011 21:57

Hi I've just had my offer accepted on a house and I'm terrified of making a monumental mistake so would appreciate some opinions, although I know that the final decision is mine.
My house is a tiny but lovely Victorian terrace with fireplaces in the bedrooms, 3 double bedrooms (0ne is in the attic but doesn't have the full head height for buildings regs so can't be marketed as a bedroom but useable loft room), mosaic tiles in hall, lovely but tiny kitchen etc etc I love it. But the pros are that it has a small north facing yard that is little more than a passage, a downstairs bathroom and is on a very busy road (the front door opens straight onto the street). Also it's always very dark in the dining room and kitchen even on the brightest day and this does depress me.
The house I've put an offer on is about 15 years old, in a quiet cul-de-sac, has a drive and garage and a small garden (yeah!). However it is small, has a tiny 3rd bedrooom and has the staircase in the sitting room. Oh and has low swirly ceilings which I've always hated.
So I guess what I'm asking is has anyone traded an old house that they love for a new house that lacks character but has outside space, quiet and lots of natural light? Thanks for reading this far!

OP posts:
MatLeaveForever · 19/12/2011 20:29

I think it really depends on the reasons for your move and who you live with, plans for the future etc. It's how you live in the house as your current house and the one you've offered on do sound very different!

Auntiestablishment · 19/12/2011 21:02

I agree with MatLeaveForever - why are you moving, and what are your plans/how are you going to live there?

I have lived in 3 places I've chosen myself.

  1. 1970s 2-bed maisonette in a town famous only for its power station, though surrounded by lovely countryside. No outside space, on a through but not huge road. Massive living/dining area & good size the rest of it. Run-down but strangely practical kitchen which I painted a lurid cheerful pink. Parking but no outside space. I loved this place - it really was my home.

Moved to be closer to a new job.
2) 1990s 2-bed house in a suburb. Right by a tiny station, with private back garden and open plan front garden, garage, on a quiet cul-de-sac. Strange sitting-room layout made it feel like a passage rather than a room. Pleasant enough but whole place was soulless & never really felt like home how the first place did - but I enjoyed learning about gardening.

Moved to be closer to (another) new job.
3) 1800s 3-bed semi in a large village. Right in the middle of the action (by pub, church, local shops) - cars go past inches from the window & parking is a free-for-all. Listed with beams, wonky floors, draughts, etc. Tiny back yard which was a concrete horror but is now filling with climbing plants. As with place 1 - though so different - it was love at first visit.

Stayed in each for about 4 yrs (though no plans to move from no 3 at present).

Usually, the next house is a compromise between what you want and what you can afford. If you really want the pluses of the new house and can live with the minuses then go for it. If you think there is something better out there (in your price range, in the right location, etc), then consider pulling out.

When in the process of moving from house 1 to house 2 I was going to buy somewhere totally different. Put in an offer & then changed my mind fairly soon afterwards. Not ideal but much better than moving to somewhere you know you don't want to be.

Auntiestablishment · 19/12/2011 21:30

And I've just remembered - before house 1 I was going to buy a flat in a totally different area of the country but threw in my job before I'd even started (long story) and pulled out of the deal.

The system gives you time to change your mind so do it if you must - but do it early, not the day before exchange!

makeanentrance · 19/12/2011 22:06

Thanks for the replies, it's my first posting so I'm so pleased to get a response! Yes the 2 houses are very different but I'm looking to buy in the same area and period houses are ridiculously priced and ones with gardens are fought over tooth and nail. The house would be for me and my 3 dc aged 15, 12 and 18 months so I've got many needs to consider. I'll go and have a 3rd look at the new house and see what I think. Sometimes compromise is the only way though

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