Did you know when you found "the one"?

[AllIWant85]

Hi, we have been looking for a house for almost a year now. We have viewed more than I can remember!

We lost out on one because our sale fell through. That was a 3 bed house, out of town, in need of modernisation and a big extension, £60k under our limit. It had good potential to make money.

Just before Christmas we were outbid on another one. That was a 6 bedroom one of a kind house, in the town we want, needed decorating, at our limit mortgage wise.

Now we've seen a 3 bed bungalow with nice gardens that we could extend bit by bit as budget allows. It's comfortably livable at the moment. It's in town but 0.7 miles away from the primary school we want (so a real gamble as to if we'd get in). It's on a lovely spot though and even has sea views! It's 25k under our limit.

We don't know if we should go for it. There are 2 things that put me off... Firstly there is currently one bathroom, this is a big deal to me, not so much for DH. We'd eventually have 2 but probably not for 5 years. Secondly it's the gamble with the school. If DS didn't get into this school there is another good school 0.3 miles away, it's just not my first choice.

For the same money we could buy closer (0.3 miles from first choice school) but we would have 3 smallish bedrooms, a small garden and in the middle of a large estate.

I'm just so unsure what to do! What would you do?

Wow, that was longer than I thought!!

Sorry [blush[

We have a rule that if there are 3 things wrong with a house we dont buy it (rental and personal houses). I think one or two problems are a bit of a niggle and an occassional moan, 3+ problems and its too much of a compromise.

How important is the school thing as that is the key issue for you I guess? Have you actually viewed the nearer school....if not then maybe view it you may feel better about it as a second choice if it has a nice feel to it?

Both the schools would give DS an excellent education, the one I really want is outstanding rated and is my old primary school. The backup one is good rated but still very good. Both schools are similar size and have similar facilities.

DS's uncle and cousin go to my first choice school so that would be nice aswell as we would share childcare as and when needed.

Have just heard tonight that next years intake includes some children that live up to 1 mile away so that has given me a bit more hope.

My FIL (builder) has said he will install a temporary 2nd toilet anywhere I want in the house!

I think this could be it!!

I am NEVER moving again! I don't cope with stress and I'm too indecisive! :o

I spent almost all last year looking at houses and location (including school catchment, views trough the windows, overlooking aspect) was always the most important factor to me. I refused houses being too close to road, too close to woods, too close to a big tree, too far from a particular school. Inside (almost) did not matter. I have finally reached the point where I will make an offer on a house which is 0.1m further from the school than I want, but hey I am so fed up and tired of looking that I will take that gamble.
I don't know if that's the one but I am determined to make it one and I am also never moving again!!!!

Our situations sound very similar littlecrystal

We have been back for a second viewing today and I think we will offer on it tomorrow.

Fingers crossed!

Good luck, very exciting! Let us know how you get on! FWIW I think you're going for the right one.

Let us know how you get on. We have offered on ours and though I don't feel it, I hope it can become "the one". Our drawbacks are odd-shaped garden, 0.1m further out for school catchment than I wanted to and end of terrace (more expensive upkeep). I am not even mentioning what's inside, but that can be sorted. It is either this house or selling up and moving into rental... So I just need to get on!!

I knew as soon as I saw the three pictures on Right Move. We viewed it, and the viewing felt like a formality - the house was already destined to be our house before we'd even viewed.

It took 9 months from first viewing to moving in. Then people kept asking if we'd settled in. It felt like a bizarre question - there was no settling in to do because it was my house from the moment I saw it!

Everything else in my life is researched, evidenced, logical and thought out. But the house was an immediate gut feel :)

Everything else in my life is researched, evidenced, logical and thought out.

This is my life! :)

Well first offer rejected but that's hardly surprising. I didn't sleep last night as all that was running through my mind was this house. I don't know if that's a good sign or not!