Really confused about what I want :(

AdrianC

danlightbulb said:.

I do value having a relatively modern boiler, loft access, good quality windows though so those are what I look for.

Fripperies that are easy and relatively cheap to change.

dramaticat

danlightbulb said:

TI believe I already am compromising, and the things that are left now are pretty fundamental things that no-one should have to compromise on. For example a driveway and a reasonably sized living space, pretty fundamental issues. Its not like I'm chasing a brand new kitchen or perfectly painted magnolia walls. I would rather buy nothing and end up on the street than spend too much money on a piece of junk. I know that's extreme but its how I genuinely feel. £190k is a hell of a lot of money, and I expect to get something decent if Im spending it.

I never suggested that any of the things you feel are fundamental are unreasonable. The problem is, they are not all available in the properties that are within your budget in the area in which you want to live. You have made it clear you can't increase your budget. Therefore, your only choices are to compromise on at least one of your fundamentals, remain in your current rental and hope that the perfect house eventually comes on the market, or find a different rental that fulfils most of your requirements for buying a house.

Raising constant objections to all the suggestions that people are making will get you no further forward, and may actually be having a detrimental effect on your thought processes and attitudes to buying a house.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

MovingForwards

Everyone likes different things in properties, what one person likes another will dislike, it's the way of the world.

Just because a property needs 'modernising', it doesn't have to be done immediately, nor does it each room have to be done one after another.

My home is 110ish years old, with some original features, some from the 60s / 70s, others from the 80s / 90s. It functions as a home as I've got gas, electric, double glazing, somewhere to cook, somewhere to well you know; it's got working plumbing. 

I knew it was the right home for me based on the rubbish EA photos. Showed the photos to a few people and I knew they thought it was horrible, oddly enough now they see proper photos they all want to come visit, drink tea and wine in my garden.

Like many others I also set a budget for how much I would spend, this was because I didn't want to be tied into a job paying me what I'm on now and also to give me the option of clearing the mortgage within 10 years, I have a 23 year term due to being a bit older than you.

Originally I was adamant I wanted a house or a bungalow, with a shower room or wet room due to disabilities, with shops I could walk to even when I struggle to walk, I wanted it near a bus route or train station, in a perfect world I wanted water / mountain views, a drive for my car and a garden. 

When I saw this property and the location I didn't care there was no drive or even that it was a flat. I got everything I wanted within the property itself and location / views I wanted and more. I've moved about 20 miles away from my friends, but my budget and wants meant that was always going to happen.

Slowly, I'm doing a little bit of DIY to tone the woodwork down. At some point in the future I will get a modern shower room fitted, find quality reproduction of the toilet / sink I want, a handmade kitchen fitted, have it rewired, remove all the wallpaper and have the walls redone, have the ceilings taken down and redone plus everything else I want. It's a want not a need.

You are not seeing the potential in the properties you link to, how to make them a home, how to make spaces work for you.

We can all repeat our experiences, point properties out, suggest how things would work within them, but whatever we say you will refute what is said. You are the one who needs to work out what your compromises are and then find properties to match.

[Deleted User]

The OP reminds me of those wallapers you get on property programmes like Location, Location, Location who want x, y and z and only in a particular postcode when in reality all they can afford is x 5 miles away.  

Thrugelmir

MovingForwards said:

I knew it was the right home for me based on the rubbish EA photos. Showed the photos to a few people and I knew they thought it was horrible, oddly enough now they see proper photos they all want to come visit, drink tea and wine in my garden.

Viewing property is a must. Far too easy to discount just from the first photogragh on Rightmove. Also look past the current decor. As all that can be changed. An open mind is also required. 

danlightbulb

dramaticat said:

Raising constant objections to all the suggestions that people are making will get you no further forward, and may actually be having a detrimental effect on your thought processes and attitudes to buying a house. 

I dont feel that my objections are excuses though. I am genuinely trying to find solutions for my compromises and to challenge myself on my wants. There are just certain things I consider to be essential though and I can't let go of them. I'm listening and trying to take on board everything that people are saying here so I hope no one feels Im not listening to their advice. Its helpful to have people suggest houses for me even if I don't like them, because then I can explain why and it might help people understand that Im not trying to be awkward on purpose but that they are issues I genuinely couldn't live with. If someone suggested something that could work I would certainly give it alot of consideration - and there lies one of my issues in that I am doing this all on my own and I don't have anyone to bounce ideas off, which is why I keep coming back here.

MovingForwards said:

You are not seeing the potential in the properties you link to, how to make them a home, how to make spaces work for you.

We can all repeat our experiences, point properties out, suggest how things would work within them, but whatever we say you will refute what is said. You are the one who needs to work out what your compromises are and then find properties to match.

See above. Im not just refuting what people advise out of hand, there are genuine reasons why which Im trying my best to explain logically.

danlightbulb

Thrugelmir said:

MovingForwards said:

I knew it was the right home for me based on the rubbish EA photos. Showed the photos to a few people and I knew they thought it was horrible, oddly enough now they see proper photos they all want to come visit, drink tea and wine in my garden.

Viewing property is a must. Far too easy to discount just from the first photogragh on Rightmove. Also look past the current decor. As all that can be changed. An open mind is also required. 

I don't feel Im letting decor stop me here. Im looking at the fundamental layout of the house and its area. Condition is important to a degree, because I don't want to be landed with expensive building repairs obviously, but decor is a non issue to me it really is. As ive said before, I am happy to redo kitchens for example, flooring, the garden. I don't mind a partial project but want to avoid big things like all new windows, roofing, excavating driveways on sloping ground etc.

NinjaTune

You say that you don't have anyone to bounce ideas off yet one of your criteria is being close to friends who you meet up with regularly.  Surely you can bounce ideas off them, ask them to look through listings with you and give opinions etc?

Are you 100% set on a 3 bed house or would you consider a large 2 bed that could offer your other wants/needs?

Tiglet2

danlightbulb said:

 If someone suggested something that could work I would certainly give it alot of consideration - and there lies one of my issues in that I am doing this all on my own and I don't have anyone to bounce ideas off, which is why I keep coming back here.

"If someone suggested something that could work I would certainly give it alot of consideration - and there lies one of my issues in that I am doing this all on my own and I don't have anyone to bounce ideas off, which is why I keep coming back here."

 I disagree.  Posters have given you lots of ideas you could work with.  You just don't seem to want to.  You have friends and family nearby and in the location you want to stay in.  You socialise and drink with them on Sundays and other days, so you are not alone.  Why haven't you bounced ideas off them?  Or have you?  

Thrugelmir

danlightbulb said:

Thrugelmir said:

MovingForwards said:

I knew it was the right home for me based on the rubbish EA photos. Showed the photos to a few people and I knew they thought it was horrible, oddly enough now they see proper photos they all want to come visit, drink tea and wine in my garden.

Viewing property is a must. Far too easy to discount just from the first photogragh on Rightmove. Also look past the current decor. As all that can be changed. An open mind is also required. 

I don't feel Im letting decor stop me here. Im looking at the fundamental layout of the house and its area. Condition is important to a degree, because I don't want to be landed with expensive building repairs obviously, but decor is a non issue to me it really is. As ive said before, I am happy to redo kitchens for example, flooring, the garden. I don't mind a partial project but want to avoid big things like all new windows, roofing, excavating driveways on sloping ground etc.

New windows are far less hassle than a completely new kitchen.