I really need advice please - to move or to stay??

[Allthekingshorsesandallthekingsmen]

I have NC for this.

I am desperate for advice!! Sorry it’s a long one (trying to get all the facts in).

I put my house on the market back in July 2023; the main purpose to sell was for the secondary school catchment. It took nearly a year to sell (swapped agents 10 months in). We had lots of viewings at first, which then dwindled. Finally got an offer in late May 2024, but this was £5k below asking (we slashed house price from £325k to £290k as advised by first agent).

Problem is that there were LOADS of houses we liked when we first listed. When we finally sold, there were barely any houses that were suitable. We need to be in a specific school catchment, so we have looked at around 20+ houses. They were either in rough areas / too small / too expensive / needed too much work doing. We have put 4 offers in on houses (a couple even at asking) and have been gazumped both times.

We found one house we have just put an offer on (a Victorian terrace in a town) but I’ve just realised that the school catchment is the same as the one where we currently live. This school is renowned for being having a bad reputation / fights / drugs etc.

So… what would you do? Would you pull out and stay where I am currently, or just bite the bullet and move? Our buyers are putting a lot of stress on us (understandably) to move. We are due to exchange imminently. We are looking on Rightmove constantly and have called all the agents in the area to see what they have available.

Going in a rental won’t be an option (I have a large dog and there aren’t any houses here that allow pets that are in catchment). Also, no family to live with until we find a house. DC is in YR 6 and will do SATS next year, so need to minimise disruption.

My house;

• relatively quiet village
• detached 3 bed on a new build estate (well, house is 10 years old, and estate is similar age and completed in terms of no more houses being built here).
• large driveway (enough parking for 4 cars)
• garage attached to house
• 3 decent sized bedrooms
• en suite
• large kitchen diner (kitchen is the original and needs replacing)
• lots of dog walks
• safe for kids to play out with lots of little parks
• husband has to work from DC’s bedroom as we don’t have a spare room / area big enough for his desk
• smallish garden that is very overlooked by other houses

Other house;

• in a town (never lived in a town before)
• very large Victorian, with lots of space and storage. DH can have his own study and DC get a separate large playroom
• Similar sized garden which is 1/2 overlooked by neighbouring houses
• No garage / no designated parking / no driveway. Parking permits across the road are available
• still in the same school catchment
• more £££ on mortgage (on at £360k)
• DH would need to get rid of lots of tools / things from his dad who passed away, as only small shed in the garden
• DC could walk into town when they are older, giving them independence
• there is a big park about 5-ish mins away
• next to main road

So, what would you do?

If your reason was to move for secondary school catchments, then I wouldn't move. We're house hunting for similar reasons. You have to keep your reasons very firmly in mind as it's easy to get swayed when desperation sets in! The new house doesn't sound better than your current one really?

Thanks @PollyPeep - yep, it was purely moving for catchment. The catchment we need has zero houses available - it’s so highly sought after, houses sell within one or two viewings. My DH is level headed and his concern is that we are taking parking for granted - we just get home and park in the drive, but imagine trying to find a space when the town has a carnival / there are no parking spaces available.

More rooms would be great (study / playroom) but I am
concerned about the heating bills. I did ask the agent if they could speak with the owner but they couldn’t / wouldn’t provide an idea of how much the heating costs.

Stay where you are.

Stay. The other house does not sound like it's offering any benefits and if the catchment area is the same, there is no point at all. I personally couldn't live anywhere I cant park my car off road - imagine doing a big shop, getting a big delivery, and you can't park. That alone would put me off, and if you like living in a village, town life is going to be really alien so unless thats a big reason to move (which it doesnt like like it is) I really would stay where you are for now.

I'd stay put. And if you can't find anything in catchment, you'll have to let your buyers down if they aren't willing to wait. Frustrating for them, but you have to do what is right for you.

I'd stay where you are, honestly. Imagine how you'd feel if you'd just moved and a house comes up in catchment. I know it's not easy as you'd then need to find new buyers for your house, but the risk is worth it. Schools are a massive thing, especially secondaries.

Personally, I would stay put. The parking situation alone would put me off; imagine what that will be like when kids get cars. Plus, tradesmen and visitors will also be faced with parking difficulties. Also, the house will be considerably colder than your modern one, hence the refusal to provide bills evidence.

If your main reason for moving is catchment and you've just discovered potential house isn't IN the desired catchment...you have no reason for moving any more. I'd stay put.

Stay put, there's no point of moving if it's still in the same catchment. The new house seems to have a lot of negatives compared to the current one.

Thank you all - I really do appreciate it. Yes, I think we may just stay and can do up the kitchen etc.

Stay where you are and make the house you're in the best it can be. Sod your buyers, they don't have to live your life.

Stay. And if you decide to move in future, check the catchment before putting an offer in!

You can check the EPC for an estimate of heating costs, as well as compare your actual heating costs to the estimate in the EPC on your house too. Just Google EPC gov and there's a gov website. I never knew about it til the house hunting we're doing at the moment!

Normally you move out within a couple of weeks from exchanging so you would have to find a rental. There are lots more properties on the market now and then boxing day and then the spring usually. However you normally have to apply around October of year 6 so it's too late sadly

I don't think you are thinking this through properly. I'm seeing lots of issues with your initial post that make me think you are being both unrealistic and impulsive.
For example, how can you be moving for catchment and then only when exchange is imminent do you realise that the catchment of the new house is the same as for the old one?But then again how is exchange imminent if you have only just offered? And you seem to be baulking at 5K below asking, which is in real life a miniscule and very average sum below what you were expecting.
You're fussing about heating bills and being overlooked when the non-negotiable is the catchment area. Don't be swayed by agent's chat and minor details.
You are only even considering this house because you are being pushed, it is never going to give you what really want, which is a passport to a decent school for DC. All the other considerations are just red herrings.
Your buyers may well pull out, but that is their decision. Completing on this deal just isn't going to work for you.