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Original poster

How did you know your house was 'the one'

111 replies

sillysocks22 · 15/03/2023 10:50

Just that really - about to offer on a house, it's strange as this house has been on the market for ages. I disregarded it originally as something about the look of it I didn't like. We went to view yesterday and we were set on offering afterwards as something about the house gave us a good feeling. After a nights sleep I'm having second thoughts. I wasn't bowled over in amazement with how much I loved it which is what I was hoping I'd feel when we saw 'the one' but we could see it has lots of potential & the area is perfect. I feel like even if our offer is accepted I probably won't stop trawling right move just in case something better comes up. Is that normal or do you think it means it's not the one for us?

OP posts:
FettleOfKish · 16/03/2023 23:36

Because I made myself public enemy #1 by pulling out of another property (with the same agent, and in the same building) as soon as I saw it.

In fairness vendor number 1 had been fucking me around for months at that stage; thus looking elsewhere in the first place.

coffeeginandkindness · 17/03/2023 00:02

I could immediately see in my
Minds eye where the Xmas tree would go.

Phoebo · 17/03/2023 01:16

Location and potential are important. Go and see it again if you're not surr, it's a big decision and you want to be happy about it

Phoebo · 17/03/2023 01:18

I just 'knew' with my house, although I'd be careful of that. Initially it was my dream house and now I hate it and want to move because it's not suitable anymore so it's probably best not to just go on emotions. I would not rush the decision

Inapicklee · 17/03/2023 07:32

I felt at home the minute I walked through the door.

My partner took a bit more convincing but the moment she tasted the chips from the pub down the road she was a convert.

ThroughTheForestUpTheHill · 17/03/2023 07:32

We viewed our house and I walked around trying to look poker-faced when actually I was trying to stop myself bursting into happy tears. I instantly loved it, despite the work that needed doing, and it felt calm and peaceful. Like home.

We got on really well with the vendors, who didn't want to sell but had to for personal reasons. We viewed just before completion and the vendor and I both had a big cry together, it was like an emotional handover of the house.

We've been here nearly a year now and everyday it fills me with joy.

JaninaDuszejko · 17/03/2023 12:04
  1. location
  2. 4+ bed
  3. garden
  4. sitting room, dining room, playroom
  5. utility
  6. 2 bathrooms
  7. decent condition and not a flip

Criteria 4 was the hardest to find, we didn't want one of those rooms to be a conservatory.

twowheelsgood · 17/03/2023 21:52

I’m celebrating 22 years in my house today. Broke up with then GF in London and left our big Victorian flat, moved up the country with little money. Wasn’t sure about the village I’m in as had a bit of a reputation, but got a bit pissed with a local estate agent who invited me to see something ‘just back on the market’.

Walked in, glass still in hand, saw it needed work but had a great energy and a HUGE mirror in the back sitting room that gave me a warm feeling when I looked in it. Came back next day and made an offer, moved in on Paddy’s Day 2001. A few years later, a lovely lady who had been evacuated with her sister and spent 6 years here from 1939-45 came to visit and the first thing she said was ‘oh the mirror is still here’. The stories she told of her carers were just wonderful.

Got married, divorced, and raised three kids here (two still at home), did a loft conversion and loads of building with some more left to do and one day they might carry me out in a box. I knew it was the one and it still is ❤️

Original poster
sillysocks22 · 18/03/2023 09:24

Thanks everyone- I have absolutely LOVED reading all of your replies and stories. We didn't offer straight away in the end and have given ourselves some time to think about it especially as it's been on market so long we're under pressure of time as such.

We went for a 2nd viewing yesterday, DH still loves it and has much better eye for potential than I do. I love the location, still can't say I love the actual house currently but it did feel very homely and like a nice house to visit if that makes sense?! We would have to make lots of changes to make it work for us but that's all within budget.
I remember feeling a unsure about our current house that I adore now it's ours. Maybe I'm just an over thinker.

Anyway, we finally put offer yesterday after the viewing - I'll let you know how it goes. I feel a bit excited now so that's got to be a good sign!

OP posts:
Original poster
sillysocks22 · 18/03/2023 09:26

Not under pressure of time

OP posts:
Notellinganyone · 18/03/2023 09:40

I like Victorian terraces. I’ve bought three houses and they’ve all been pretty similar. As posters are saying unless you’ve got a huge budget it’s finding something you like in the area you want that you can afford. I like original features and high ceilings and would prioritise that over other stuff. Can’t say I really fell in love with any of the houses we bought at first sight but all have served us well.

TiredandLate · 18/03/2023 10:09

I knew before we viewed it. We had a sensible plan to buy a modern small terrace or semi to live in until dd goes to uni then rent out.. then I saw the house on RM, viewed it and made an offer before we left the driveway! A 5 bed complete renovation project 😂. It's a full time job on top of our full time jobs but I absolutely love it.

whirlyhead · 18/03/2023 10:14

I thought my current house was depressed when I first saw it. But it had a lot of space and I figured we could make it really nice which we have done.

We live in one of the most desirable areas in the country. I love my house but I hate the area and realised recently I don’t want to die here, so we’re selling up and buggering off to Europe to rent. I don’t believe there is such a thing as a forever home, a house just suits the stage of life you’re in.

Cattenberg · 18/03/2023 10:16

It was in the area I wanted, had two bedrooms and a garden and I could just about afford it.

Bin85 · 18/03/2023 10:18

Long time ago
It was in a cul de sac with south facing garden so that was good but then the owner said that the schools were very good near it.
I hadn't had any children yet but that clicked in my mind and they are.

RudsyFarmer · 18/03/2023 10:21

Honestly? We could afford it and it was a size that worked for us.

Jmaho · 18/03/2023 10:22

Aside from childhood home we have lived in (owned) 4 houses/flats
I don't think we fell in love with any of them they were just within budget and they suited what we needed at that time.
Our current house was bought when I was very heavily pregnant. We were in a rush to buy as we weren't able to even view a house let alone put an offer in until we had a sale agreed on our house
We moved to a new area and my husband was actually more in love with the house than me. It wasn't perfect and although it isn't an old house and built around 25 years ago it was tired and not well looked after
We were moving from a 1920s house which was a wreck when we bought it and we'd spent the last 3 years doing it in, mainly ourselves and I was desperate to move into a nice shiny fully done house
However we took a walk around the area and had a meal in a local pub and it felt good
Within a short while of living here I started to love it
Whilst we could have done with an extra bedroom and bigger kitchen it is a lovely house and feels right
Even better than that the area is so nice and we have fabulous neighbours and for the first time we are in a position where if we did ever move it would be within the same area
All our previous moves have been to different areas and we weren't happy there

MrsSkylerWhite · 18/03/2023 10:23

Gut feeling, like when you meet the right partner or a new friend.

Jonei · 18/03/2023 10:26

I bought a house that ticked most, but not all of my criteria, because it was the only one I could afford that had at least most of what I want. It was never really 'the one' and for quite a few years I would search right move to see if there was anything else in my budget that was better, but there never really was. Now I've grown to love the house anyway, I can't imagine moving, I expect I'll be here for the rest of my life.

RM2013 · 18/03/2023 10:36

We moved a couple of months ago from
the house that we assumed we would stay in forever but in reality we had outgrown it.
we had a limited budget so the house we now have ticked all the boxes - there were a couple of compromises but it was by far the best house for our budget.
I worried that I’d regret leaving behind my old smaller house that had a larger driveway and garden but I haven’t missed it at all and we are all much happier where we live now

MosquitoBuffet · 18/03/2023 10:42

I could afford it on my own, and it had lots of storage!

LindorDoubleChoc · 18/03/2023 10:44

Cheapest house in nicest road. We could only just afford it but it was a good £40,000 lower in price than other similar properties in our area.

Craftybodger · 18/03/2023 10:45

I know within seconds of being inside if it’s a possibility or not.

For me it’s when I’m thinking where the Christmas tree (insert any other family event or heirloom) that I know it could be my home.

MonkeyMindAllOverAround · 18/03/2023 10:47

As stupid as it sounds… we “clicked”.

Strange than in the most important decisions in our life like relationships and buying property we go for something as simple as that.. 🤣

Itsonlyagame · 18/03/2023 10:49

There was nothing else suitable on the market and I needed a house ASAP!

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