Head or Heart? I need sorting out!

madmish00

I would say both.

I had a list of requirements and although I have found lots of properties that tick 'most' of those boxes there is only one where I have thought 'I have to have this house'.

Looking at other houses after I was simply comparing with this house and finding reasons to strike the others off the list.

It is causing us all kinds of problems at the minute but hopefully it will be worth it in the long run when we finally get the keys.

zzzLazyDaisy

madmish00 wrote: »

I would say both.

Me too.

I used 'head' to sort through the estate agents brochures to make sure I wasn't viewing anything that didn't meet my basic requirements....

But heart when viewing the properties themselves.

I must have viewed about 50 houses, but when I viewed the one I bought, I just *knew* it was my forever house. It needed every room decorating, I couldn't do it myself, so I did one or two rooms a year as and when I could afford to pay a decorator. But I got it for a good price as the owners were emigrating and wanted a quick sale.

I am still as happy here six years on, as I was the day I moved in.

hazyjo

Look at it this way - it's like choosing a partner (husband, in my case).

Love should be the reason you choose 'em, but sometimes people are swayed by other influences such as box-ticking and the fact everyone else loves them and they're 'nice', 'decent', 'a perfect catch' (ex-hubby territory here!). Sometimes people just settle for someone because they have a nice life between them, nice friends, 'nice' everything - all appears hunkydory - until you find THE ONE who just blows you away and you realise how it should feel.

Love your home and choose it like you would a partner, I say

Oh dear... sounding like Swiss Toni here lol.

Jx
PS Still saying overall 'heart' - but head obviously comes into it. But the one you do find will have its flaws and will annoy you at times, but you'll love its quirks and individuality

property.advert

You're out of the market (or soon will be) so you don't want prices advancing as you miss out and feel compelled to buy something simply because if you don't, you'll never get back on the ladder at the point you left. Conversely, if prices fall, you win. I know which camp I would feel happier in.

My experience is that space is at a premium wherever you are. Excess space has a habit of becoming utilised and when you move to a place where space is compromised in the beginning, then you are on a hiding to nothing. You need enough space or room to add space, which means a larger plot. Buy a shoebox on a small plot and you'll have it back on the market in 6 months.

Obviously schools are important and you need to be sure you are in the catchment area if that is necessary for you. Outside that, you need to be more flexible on area.

Forward plan. Look at how much you could realistically get together to make improvements. If you cannot raise the finance or save enough then extending is simply not an option. If that is the case, you need to get a big enough place when you move.