Should we hold out for the ‘perfect’ house

[cooperbug]

Should I be 100% sure that the house we are buying is the perfect one for us? Or does the perfect house even exist?

We have had an offer accepted on a house we really like and have sold ours. We are at the stage where we need to instruct solicitors but I still have slight reservations about it.

There are so many things we love about the house and wouldn’t need to change much. It’s just such a big commitment and I’m feeling a bit anxious about it.

Has anybody bought a house they felt wasn’t quite right for them and then it all turned out ok?

This one is in the same road I think, and needs work but it has the garden. I love the character in this one.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-95369090.html

I think with kids you need a garden space. I would worry with decking any wheeled toys being ridden on it would be noisier than normal. The house is beautiful, the renovation is lovely.

@longtompot we have viewed that one too, needs so much work done, electrics not been touched, would be a money pit. The garden is a lot smaller than it looks in the pictures too.

@notheragain4 thanks, I think you have hit the nail on the head. We need to decide what is right for us and not be swayed by other people’s opinions including friends and family.

I guess the reason I wanted others opinions is If we decided to sell it. Having said that this would be a long term purchase for us but at the same time I want to get it right

@cooperbug I remember your last thread. I think once a house gets stuck in your head then it's the one. Don't let what other people think you need to have get to you. If you can live with that garden and make it work then it'll be fine. It was quite a grand house inside from what I recall.

Have you considered if there are allotments in the area that you could register for if you'd like a bit of green space and to grow things?

I would be gutted to let it go/pull out. We have viewed another 4 since offering on this whilst ours sold and nothing better or as nice even with gardens

@cooperbug sorry if I've missd it, but what does your 3 year old like to do in the garden? Obviously you can't have a large climbing frame but no reason not to have sandpit/paddling pool/small slide.
I moved to a house with a small garden when my DC's were 15/12/9&5, we had to leave the swingset and football goal behind but have got a trampoline that is set a ground level (huge hole to dig underneath), we also live waking distance to large playing field and I've signed the younger children up for extra sports clubs. We've been here 3 years now and no regrets.

@thisisnotwhatisignedupfor she just potters around with her toys really, coming in and out bringing out toys from indoors. They have a slide, playhouse and water/sand pit all of which would fit in that space

I moved from a property with a garden that needed a day a week to keep it mowed , the garden where I am takes about 30 mins a week ( I could take longer but don't want to ) to keep neat and tidy , honestly worth the move I never used all the previous garden it was just work and looked nice once it was mowed

The fact you've kept viewing houses is pretty telling to me. If you really wanted this one you wouldn't still be looking. Unless you have unlimited budget then there are always compromises, but with young children the lack of a garden would be a complete no for me, as they're only at the very beginning of wanting to have a swing set, play football, games with each other, one of mine hated the outside until age 4, now at age 6 and 8 they both want to be outside all the time which I don't want to discourage and it's the main factor prompting us to move.

FYI as regards low maintenance we have a robot lawn mower, cost us less than £200 two years ago, fantastic purchase and massively saves on garden maintenance time. I have a gardener come for £12 a month who weeds the two large flower beds in under an hour.

If it's a long term purchase look at what is right for you, but I do think a family house with no garden will be harder to sell long term unless you're in a buoyant market.

I must admit I sneaked a peak at the house as pp were referring to your other thread.
I wouldn't but it, it seems to be 100k over the ceiling for the street, and is very ummm, devisive. It'll be a pig to sell.
The fact you're still viewing houses says it all.

If I am honest, the one thing I would not compromise on with kids of that age is garden. Many of my friends have needed to move much quicker than they would have done because outside space is an issue. You’d be far better to get the less done up one and live with some down at heel decor/ save to do it up nicely than need to move again in less than 5 years. Even a garden with a bit more space (doesn’t need to be huge) would make a big difference as the kids get older.

I've had a look at the other thread, it is a nice house, beautifully decorated (not to my taste, but can see why people would like it!). It does look like it's been overextended with so many ensuites (imagine cleaning them all...) and dressing rooms, and the lack of garden would be an issue for a lot of people if you wanted to sell it on. I'd also be careful that you aren't paying an overinflated price for the expensive renovation - is it to your taste? Would you spend that much anyway? If you did need to sell it on, would you struggle to get the same price as it's higher than the ceiling price for the street, plus having no garden? There's a house near me that has been renovated to death, it has very high spec kitchens/bathrooms etc, and it has been on rightmove forever. It's more expensive than any of the other houses on the street and it hasn't sold in a year or so. They have spent a fortune on it too.

I focus on the fundamentals when moving, the things you can't change - is the area right for you? Is the garden big enough? Is the house/flat the right size? Try not to get too swayed by decor, it soon dates/needs redoing a decade down the line.

I liked the other house more (the money pit), I can see why a finished one appeals, especially with small children. One question to ask yourself is ten years down the line, which house would you prefer?

Just a quick update. We have had a good chat over the weekend and are going to pull out of buying this house tomorrow.

It’s not been easy, my husband is more disappointed than I am as he really loves it. I keep thinking are we making the right decision and feel a bit bad about it.

Just can’t get away from the fact that the outdoor space is not adequate enough for a family, may be difficult to sell in the future and we are potentially overpaying for it.

Good luck with finding something that is right for you!

Good decision, OP. If you're hesitating, so will all your potential buyers - and while they're hesitating, they'll probably see another house they prefer.

(But if you weaken, make quite SURE they were granted planning permission for that extension! It's way too large for the garden.)