3 bed with 3 older children?

[user27378]

House hunting at the moment and we really wanted to move before primary application deadlines (it's 28th Feb if you've moved house) so we know we are hugely pushing it and might miss this deadline anyway and only looking at chain free properties. We need a 4 bed but there aren't any for sale where we want. There is a really nice small 3 bed terrace in the area we want, chain free, way under budget so the extra disposable income we'd have each month is really appealing. But my kids ages are 13, 7 and 4 so not particularly close in age. Is this a really bad idea in a recession? I'm worried we will struggle to sell on again when the middle daughter is too old to share with the youngest (boy). Although it is a perfect first time buyer house so maybe we wouldn't struggle? We'd be able to save to take into account negative equity. Would you go for it or is it madness to think we could fit? Currently renting a 5 bed so we are used to space. The house only has a small patio so no room to extend, have yet to check out the loft space. Anyone happy in a 3 bed with 3 older children or will I regret this?

Any 3-beds where you could covert the loft?

Or properties in a chain. You’re chain free so it could be a very short chain.

The eldest DC could potentially be off to university in 5 years time. So I'd go with it if staying in your current property isn't an option.

Moving is so expensive, I would be reluctant to move somewhere less than ideal but I know I'm in a very privileged position to say that

No. I wouldn't go for this unless there is room to extent somehow.
Loft extension would be ideal, is there hight in the roof? I previously lived in a victorian terrace with 3 bedrooms upstairs but the bathroom downstairs. I changed it so as the bathroom went upstairs (losing a bedroom I didn't need). Any chance of shifting rooms around to make another bedroom, even a small one. Or dividing a larger bedroom?
The age gaps don't lend themselves well to sharing in to the teenage years, as you say.

My 16-year-old and 8-year-old sons share a room and there have been no particular issues, but it will depend on the personalities involved and the size of the room and the rest of the house.

With my four kids, I would consider a 3 bed, but the rest of the place needs us well - more than 1 reception room and kitchen & at least 1 bathroom a good size.

The process of selling and buying is stressful, so I wouldn't be panicked into buying a house that I thought was too small and there was no room to extend, if I could afford better, no.

Are you moving to a completely different area (as you mention Primary deadlines) ?
Can you not rent in the right catchment area ?

I think it's the ideal for children to have their own space, particularly where you have a slightly bigger age gap, but you know what- lots of kids share a room and it's not a big deal. I would certainly look for a 3 bed with potential (loft, dividing 1 big room into 2, rear extension possibly) - better to spend the money you'd spend buying and selling again in a few years on work to a 3 bed.

What happens after 28th Feb? does this make a big difference to a school one of DCs will go to ? ( sorry If I have not understood. )

Thanks all for your thoughts. We've only done a virtual viewing and seeing it in person this week. I was definitely planning on checking the potential loft space, and I think now after reading these replies and seeing a post in active topics about kids sharing rooms we will only go ahead if it is tall enough to extend into. None of the other houses on the road have converted the attic which makes me doubtful, but most Victorian terraces I've lived in have had big attics so I'll cross my fingers.

28th Feb is the extended deadline (if you've moved house) for primary places for my youngest. If we stay put we will likely get a school that is good but has no wrap around care and is not the area we want to buy in so I don't want to be tied to it. I have been looking for rentals in the mean time too, but there hasn't been any at all, which is strange. It isn't a remote area either, maybe less people moving because Covid. Moving rental was my back up plan but now I'm worried we won't find one.

I think you need to exchange, not complete before the deadline so maybe have a look after Christmas? I definitely wouldn't buy a house you're 100% sure suits your needs.

I think personally that this whole children can't share and need a room each is ridiculous. If the house is ok for you and suits you financially go for it.

I am sure your kids would like there own room but this is not always possible and that's ok.

When I was younger we had a three bed and three siblings we tried different combinations. At one time we had the largest room and shared with bunk beds and a single and had a play room in the spare room.

Then I had the box room and my siblings shared.

We were used to the house being what it was and where we slept was less important.

I have to say I am surprised by how many people are saying sharing is a thing of the past and really not ideal @cheesecake864 But it feels like such a big decision to buy a house in the current moment that I really need to seek opinions. If we went for it, I'd give the box room to the 13 year old because she most has tech rather than toys, and I'd get a sofa bed for when she has sleepovers. I'd have the 7 year old girl and 4 year old boy sharing the master bedroom, and have us adults in the middle room. Then when the 7 year old was around 11 I'd move the youngest into the box room and have the two girls sharing, but hopefully the 17 year old would be off to uni. I suppose it could be a problem if the oldest was working or getting home late and waking up the younger one.

Actually the plan would be to move before that point but I mean if we couldn't sell for any reason.

I don't think a 3 bed house would be the end of the world but I wouldn't buy a small terraced 3 bed house if I had 3 children, I would hold out for a house with more existing space and/or potential to extend. Detached or semi-detached with a decent size garden. Potential to do a loft conversion and/or extension (if none of the other houses have loft conversions that's a pretty strong indication that it's not possible).

Moving is so expensive (and stressful) that it doesn't seem sensible to buy a house that your family is definitely going to outgrow within 5 or so years.

If it was all you could afford, you'd make the best of it, but it sounds as if you could get something better - you just need to be patient.

Could you try and find a short term rental in the area you're looking in, to take the pressure off for the primary school application deadline?

People aren't saying that dc can't share @cheesecake864, people are responding to this particular poster's family situation.

She can afford a 4 bed. They are currently used to living in a spacious 5 bed. She was then asking our opinions on being panicked into buying a really nice small 3 bed terrace. Yes, of course a family of 5 can like in a compact terrace - but that wasn't the question. The OP was asking if we thought that was the right decision for her family. Hence most people saying it doesn't sound like a wise thing to do, to go into a much smaller house than you have been used to (and generally speaking, this also impacts on size of kitchen, living rooms, garden, parking, not just the number of bedrooms) at this stage in their lives.