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Original poster

First time house buyer - what should I compromise on?!

16 replies

Maddie2019 · 25/02/2020 20:47

Okay, so as the title says I am a first time buyer with my partner and 3 year old, we have a small budget so I know we must compromise on something but I don’t know what! What compromises did you make and was it worth it? For example...

We have seen the perfect house, but only 1 parking space, the rest of the parking is on street about 4 mins away.
We have found the perfect location, but due to our budget the house is very small
We have found a big house, but the location is further out than I would have liked adding an extra 20 mins on my already 45 min morning commute.
I don’t really want to do any work on a property so everything suitable is right at the top of our budget and is fairly small, but if we do get a property that needs work it will be bigger and make more money in the future.

I know for our budget we aren’t going to get everything, but I’m finding it difficult to compromise on anything. Any advice for a first time buyer?

I thought this house hunting game was meant to be fun, it’s super stressful!

OP posts:
PickAChew · 25/02/2020 20:53

You can only decide by what will suit you best. The small house would be great if you weren't planning another child but would soon be outgrown with another. Parking depends on how much you both rely in cars. Taking your commute over an hour would impact your quality of life more than the others, though. Your commute would also be likely to be more expensive. That house might not be as easy to re-sell.

Prioritise location and work around that.

PickAChew · 25/02/2020 20:57

And there is a halfway with houses needing work. Some are just a bit tired and lived in but perfectly serviceable. Many pristine starter homes are pristine on the cheap, anyhow, so the magnolia paint soon scuffs and the charcoal carpet mats up and you'd wish you hadn't paid the premium.

twinnywinny14 · 25/02/2020 20:58

Depends what is important to you for example I wouldn’t want to buy a home without allocated parking but would compromise on bedroom sizes

SavoyCabbage · 25/02/2020 21:04

I was goi g to say 'whatever you do don't buy a house with different parking'.

It's not just the inconvenience, it's the resentment and often anger it can cause.

Original poster
Maddie2019 · 25/02/2020 21:07

Would you compromise on the amount of allocated spaces?

OP posts:
Original poster
Maddie2019 · 25/02/2020 21:08

@SavoyCabbage we have this problem now in rented, I hate it!! I have fallen for one with just 1 allocated spot and unfortunately think that’s the decider :(

OP posts:
TokenGinger · 25/02/2020 21:14

Parking is one thing I really wouldn't compromise on. Having a DC now, I'd hate to be in a house where I can't easily park on my drive to get him out and into the house quickly in the rain. Equally, if your DP gave you the spot, and he parked 4 minutes away and was bringing in a food shop in awful weather, that's an absolute pain too. Then there's the issue with visitors. Parking is a top priority for me with a house.

If looking at a smaller house, go for one that has the potential to extend, either into the attic or to the side/back if you have more children.

Moving further away from work may be difficult but you won't be in the same job forever so I wouldn't let that bother me too much.

SavoyCabbage · 25/02/2020 21:18

No I wouldn't. I've lived in two new builds with bad parking and it's just awful. People can get a real bee in their bonnet about it.

You won't even be able to park over the back of yourselves if you've only got one space.

AGreatUsername · 26/02/2020 07:44

Funnily enough parking is the thing we’ve chosen to compromise on. That and garden size (although it faces the right way so I’m okay with that). We have a nice location and a big enough house.

The thing that has totally worn me out about our current house is the space. I could never buy a small house again. It’s actually a 5 bed but there is NO storage. Nothing. I’ve spent 3 years making the kids have hardly any possessions and thinking of clever storage solutions for EVERY room. I hate it. We are now buying an Edwardian semi, same number of rooms but so much space! An airing cupboard, landings, and rooms big enough for them to have actual possessions and desks etc. That’s the most important thing to me. So it depends what matters to you!

Settlersofcatan · 26/02/2020 07:48

We don't have a car so I would definitely compromise on parking! Even if we had a car, I wouldn't have thought it was a big deal to have only one space. I certainly would rather walk 4 mins than commute an extra 20

littlecontis · 26/02/2020 09:07

FTBs here - we are in the process of buying a house and have compromised on parking and garden size. We don't have a car but plan to in the future - doesn't worry us even tho it's on street parking. Garden isn't huge but faces the right way and isn't overlooked so we are happy with that. The most important things for us: proximity to the train station (into London), storage and character of the house - we are buying a Victorian semi.

vickibee · 26/02/2020 09:13

we compromised on living on a busy road to get the house we wanted. it doesn't really bother us that much tbh. Other than that it is perfect and in the catchment area for outstanding schools.
It was a bit tired so we have redecorated and put our own touch on it.

Greeniac · 26/02/2020 09:25

I'd go for House one out of that list. And definitely not house 3 which would take a toll on your quality of life.

MaJoady · 26/02/2020 10:06

Unless you are in a rush, I wouldn't offer on any of the properties you have mentioned. There will always be compromises, but when you find the combination you are prepared to accept, the decision will be easy.

carly2803 · 26/02/2020 10:36

my non negotiables were; outside space and safe area.

i got both, but my garden isnt huge (slight compromise), but its got grass, seating area and the kids can play.

safe area- vital!

My house needed a lot of work, it was more than liveable but needed stuff doing. But ive added a shit ton of value.

you need to decide how much work you can really do? Kitchen and bathroom should be livable really (both of mine were awful!), but the rest is hopefully paint/sanding and basic work - thats potentially your compromise?

the way i saw it, as long as the space was there, i could make it work

I couldnot magic up parking spaces, or a garden! but i could create a lovely bedroom etc

best of luck :)

averythinline · 26/02/2020 10:47

I would compromise on parking 1 space is fine.....the person with the child gets the space..

I wouldn't compromise on location

I would compromise with decorating/style...if you've not had your own place it's easy to get swayed but smarter.... decorating is cheap!

With dc I would not compromise on schools... check catchments carefully..
I would and did compromise on size and size of garden for affordable and ability to add value over time

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