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Head or heart decision?

7 replies

purplecat27 · 16/09/2017 15:10

We've recently accepted an offer on our city flat and are looking for a family home in the suberbs. I feel like I've got a pretty good idea of what I want and the area I want to be in. We were in a bidding war for our dream house but lost it (in a different location where very few houses are and even fewer come up for sale so no point waiting on that). So far we've seen 5 other houses and I felt a bit meh about all of them, until last night, when we viewed a 3 bed Victorian terrace on a quiet street and I fell a little bit in love. The thing is, on paper I shouldn't want it at all and I don't know what to do!

Going in to the search I'd said a wanted 3 beds, good sized garden, good sized kitchen, a porch or space to build one, and a driveway or space to put one in. It's got a big kitchen and a porch area but the garden is a small yard-type garden. The 3rd bedroom is small (but guess that's pretty common). The main issue is it's got no driveway and only a little strip of a front garden, so it's all on street parking and I can't parallel park (though obviously used to be able to so guessing i could re-learn). I feel like I really shouldn't want it but I got such a good feeling in it and have been imagining us in it all day today!

I think if I chose this house, I would be very much going with my heart rather than my head, but I feel it should really be more of 50/50 decision shouldn't it? How did you decide which house to buy? Did you buy a house you wouldn't expect to love just because you loved it despite leaving big boxes unticked? Or did you wait it out until something came along that ticked all the boxes? Confused

OP posts:
Sunnyshores · 16/09/2017 15:16

Small rear garden
small 3rd bedroom
no driveway
no off street parking
I couldnt compromise on that many points. Youve managed to view 6 other properties that looked suitable on paper, so Id suggest youll find something more suitable soon.

Shockers · 16/09/2017 15:16

I went with my heart towards a house which was too small for us. We re-jigged the interior layout (moved the kitchen to a different room and created another bedroom upstairs) and now it's just right.

GriefLeavesItsMark · 16/09/2017 15:24

No off street parking is a dealbreaker for me. Just about everything else I can compromise, but the thought of having to find parking, often a distance from my house, just no. I think lack of parking is a major reason for moving.

Fourmagpies · 16/09/2017 15:34

The no off street parking issue wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker for me (have done it before) but it would depend on how bad the parking was and whether it was all on street parking in the surrounding area. We bought a house that didn't tick all our boxes but we're still here 12 years later and not planning to move though we are currently doing an extension so I can have the utility room I wanted! I've only bought houses that have given me a good feeling, there's a lot to be said for a house that feels good to come home to. I would have a second viewing though before making a decision.

purplecat27 · 16/09/2017 17:40

Hmm, thanks everyone, there's a lot to think about... We're going to arrange a second viewing, and also plan to drive down the street at different times over the next few days to see what the parking situation is like at different times and on different days.

I bought our current flat on about 80% heart:20 head and have never really regretted it, I'm actually really sad to be leaving!

OP posts:
YorkshireTea86 · 16/09/2017 19:22

No off street parking would be a deal breaker for me. We don't have any and if we go out on a weekend for the day or get back after 8pm during the week it's a shock if we can get parked on our street or either of the ones next to it.

HeddaGarbled · 16/09/2017 22:42

It's got to be a mixture of both, hasn't it?

Yard instead of garden - OK if it's just adults, no good if there are children.

Small third bedroom - OK for baby or as boxroom/study, no good if there are 2 older children.

On street parking - plenty of people have to put up with this. I think I'd need to visit in the evening and see how rammed the street is with cars. What is the likelihood of you getting a space anywhere near your house? My brother often has to park in neighbouring streets because he can't get a space on his own.

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