head or heart?

[sommewhereelse]

We're househunting and we keep visiting houses which aren't very practical for us as a family but which have aspects which really appeal to us.
We've seen just one one which meets all our criteria, is very practical but just doesn't appeal to us.

Does anyone have any experience of buying a property that they don't particularly like but meets their needs? Did you come to love it?

Yes, we bought a 70's house which wasn't my style at all then, especially as it still had the 70's decoration. But it was incredibly practical with kids and we now love it (having done quite a lot to it). For such a massive investment, I think head always wins over heart.

We're the opposite to fresh bought a hugely practical house that met all our needs and was affordable. Although I could always see the practicalities and we made it gorgeous on the inside, I never really loved living there.

BUT I am sure this was more due to the location of the house rather than the house itself - and that was something we couldn't chage. I think, given time and cash, you can pretty much change anything internally, and even externally, but you can't change the plot and street.

Go with the head. If you love it, so will the next people, when you choose to sell. Having said that, you do need to see potential, as fresh suggests.

I agree head mainly but keep looking and the 'one' will come along to answer both.

Thanks. Fresh, the sensible buy one is a 70s house (redecorated in the 90s). Location is fine but the house lacks charm.
We have been looking for 2 months since we saw this house but nothing beats it on practical things (like storage).

You can do so much to a 70's house, without worrying about period details as there aren't any! Of course if what you really want is a cosy cottage that's more of a challenge. But usually they've got larger rooms than modern houses which means you can be bolder with colours, and it's also generally easier to reconfigure the space. We had always lived in period places but I'd find it hard to go back to anything with small windows or low ceilings now.

Heart every time. I speak from experience! Even if it is the perfect house for you space/room wise and ticks every box it will never feel like home if it doesn't feel right to you.

We had this. DCs were planned so we were looking for a potential family home. One weekend we viewed
A) country cottage, 3 miles from village, acre of garden, out buildings, 3 greenhouses, large organic veg garden, large sunfilled living room, log burner... Or
B) 1980s modern box, slightly larger, faux Victorian twee inside, hideous bathroom, small garden, looked just like the house my parents moved to when I was 9 and I hated (and nearly 30 years later don't enthuse about) but in a culdesac in a village.
Chose b. Walk to nursery, and will be able to walk to school so kids will he able to walk to see lots of their friends, know loads of people, 3 local groups for pre schoolers. House is getting better - we have a huge lust if changes we want to make to it which we're getting through slowly, our neighbours are fabulous and great for swapping childcare... Definitely the right place for us to live, and thy, the bricks and mortar don't matter that much.

Good luck with your decision.

I'm the opposite. Would compromise on lots of things like storage and try to find workable solutions to have a home that you just love coming back to. I'm of the firm belief that you know instantly when you walk into a house whether it's the right one for you, not necessarily based on aesthetics but gut instinct.
Then again I have lots of friends who are ruled by their head when buying a house and are perfectly happy with their choice.
Another thing to consider is if you have the budget to change/decorate and make it your dream house or if you will have to live in it as is?
Only you know which type of person you are and I think if you are a heart over head type generally then you may never love your house but be reasonably happy living in it!