Really confused about what I want :(

SaintJudy

coachman12 said:

SaintJudy said:

coachman12 said:

The O/P does not have sufficient funds to move out of the rather downmarket DY4 area and look towards places like Kingswinford or Walsall or Bloxwich. 

Oh god not Blocko!   

There used to be some very nice houses over by the Golf Course in Blocko-----but that was before I left and took all my photos and posters of Bully with me 

Aww Bully! He used to come into the pub in our village. Local legend!  

JGB1955

The OP talks about 'friends' he meets in the pub on a Sunday (and perhaps once during the week).  He doesn't talk about having friends back to his house.  He also says there would be an issue about his friends knowing he likes to play the piano.  Are these friends, or are they 'someone who is in the pub every Sunday night'?  There's a big difference.  Would he want to be hosting BBQ evenings for friends, wives and children on a sunny Saturday evening.... or would he not even want them to guess where he lives?

coachman12

SaintJudy said:

coachman12 said:

SaintJudy said:

coachman12 said:

The O/P does not have sufficient funds to move out of the rather downmarket DY4 area and look towards places like Kingswinford or Walsall or Bloxwich. 

Oh god not Blocko!   

There used to be some very nice houses over by the Golf Course in Blocko-----but that was before I left and took all my photos and posters of Bully with me 

Aww Bully! He used to come into the pub in our village. Local legend!  

I think you have to live in Cannock now to have a drink with him. Thx for the memories of a true great Judy. I was at Hampden Park on THAT day and also on the plane to Newcastle on THAT New Year's Day. Yow, tek care Judy 

coachman12

You have to have been there to understand why my 1000th post means such a lot when it concerns a living legend 
MSE is not my favourite place but thanks to Judy for making a milestone so much better than the usual forum dross.

SaintJudy

@coachman12 aw ta very much bab! It's been over 20 years since I left but that little part of the country will always be home and the novelty of meeting someone who knows that part too will never wear off! I don't often meet people from the Midlands anymore let alone that specific bit. Cracking! This has made my Sunday!  

MFWannabe

Some more nice properties OP if you are serious about buying: 
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/74314485#/
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86607037#/
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86487478#/

WiseOwl00

I'll be honest, I think your criteria are very specific. Myself and my partner started out with similar criteria (except for the piano), but we soon learned that we had to compromise. 

I understand your criteria regarding area, but it will restrict your options majorly. Do you have to be within 1 mile of all your friends/family? You have a car, could you not increase your search to +3 miles and drive to see them? Perhaps look at the areas which are also on the main train routes so you can still avoid taxis? By doing this, you might also find an area with good amenities. 

I understand the flat drive as my partner works on his car a lot. That was a priority for us which we didn't budge on. He also initially said he wanted a garage to put all of his tools in, but he actually ended up forfeiting that when we found this house that we're buying now. He now plans to built his own custom-built outhouse to be exactly how he wants in in the next few years. Could that not be an option for you? You might not have the funds at the moment, but you likely could have in a few years? You don't have to have the house perfect as soon as you move in. Everyone I know has had work done to their house since they bought it to make it better suited to them. As for the piano, you can sound-proof walls. 

The thing is, this criteria will be on top of the basic criteria of buying a house. For example, if it's out-dated and needs modernising, if it needs a new kitchen/bathroom, if it needs any structural work, etc. etc. So you have a lot of variables going on at once. 

As for the finding a partner later down the line. You can always sell a house, especially if you opt for a 2-year fixed period mortgage. Nobody knows what the future holds. 

coachman12

SaintJudy said:

@coachman12 aw ta very much bab! It's been over 20 years since I left but that little part of the country will always be home and the novelty of meeting someone who knows that part too will never wear off! I don't often meet people from the Midlands anymore let alone that specific bit. Cracking! This has made my Sunday!  

I've been away a very long time too, Judy but YOU have made my Sunday, too. Thx.  Bostin'  !!!! Bet you shopped here a few times.......

danlightbulb

hazyjo said:

getmore4less said:

Why does the piano have to be on the ground floor?

Hobby/office room upstairs would keep the living space for living, having people round for socials. 

Would make those places top heavy with integral garage more balanced. 

We've gone through this a few pages back.

He wants it on show so he and visitors can see it (and admire it I suppose).

Which I guess rules out a music room at the bottom of the garden too...

I think this is quite a misrepresentation actually, and a bit of a put down.
Playing the piano is my main hobby. I think if you ask any piano player, having it upstairs (or god forbid in a wooden garden shed as suggested!) is the last thing any of them would be happy with. Its not about having it on show (I don't host visitors, ever), its a case of a) out of sight out of mind and b) having a deep enjoyment of such a lovely thing. Its a serious hobby of mine that is rare these days, that I've invested a lot of time and money in as an adult learner, and suggesting I make do with it in a tiny upstairs bedroom is pretty ridiculous really. Do none of you have something that is important to you, that you'd want to give a special place to in your home? Just because its a piano, not a, much more common, kid or a dog, means its worth less in your eyes.

danlightbulb

MFWannabe said:

spoovy said:

Seems to me that you're fantasising about buying a house and have not actually mentally committed to it yet.   Big purchases always involve compromise, but you already know that.  There is no magic perfect house that also happens to be within your price range.  When someone found one that came really close, you complained that it was too perfect! 

Most of your compromises are so trivial that they come across as borderline ridiculous anyway (walk over a mile to a pub? unthinkable!  Put my piano in a room with a shared wall? Never!

Get serious about compromising, or keep renting for the rest of your life:  them's your options.  

Summed it up perfectly 👍
OP hasn’t commented today 🤔
Theres a lovely detached bungalow I listed that to me ticks the boxes but no comment from OP 🤷‍♀️

 Ive been out on my bike most of the day. Not much I can do with the estate agents on a sunday.

 Appreciate you looking. I had reservations about bungalows as I felt they were for older people. i still cannot get over that stigma unfortunately, whether that is right or wrong, but its something I cannot get over so that's it.

The one I pulled out of needed a ton of work doing, and a driveway excavating in a sloped front garden. I got pulled in to the dream but realised I was taking on too much, that's why I pulled out, plus the above. I was never comfortable with it, if im honest, but felt desperate at the time and I let it go too far.