Would you compromise?

Grizebeck

We have found a house and had an offer an excepted,
The house isn't as big as either of us would like, in fact the bedrooms are smaller then the 2 bed terrace we are currently in!, but over all the space is decent.  We could if we wanted to get a lot more house for a bit more money (say up to another 50/100K)
was on at 350 accepted at 315.  its a probate sale, will need some kind of extension to sort some space issues and full updating , we have the money in the bank
However the reason we like it is so much its in a lovely little village, about 20 minutes to the sea , and it has a large garden which runs all the way down to a little river, , there is an island in the middle of the river and we will have Riparian rights to our part of the river and own half the island (on out patch) - no one leases or owns the rights to this part. Garden is also big enough to grow veg and make it a lovely living spot and having river access makes it really stand out, different and not unique but you would be pushed to find that again  (no risk of flooding unless its one of those mud slide events you get in south east Asia as the house is quite far up . the whole county would be under water if that ever flooded, so risk and insurance is thus quite normal

The question is, is this worth the compromise?, do you settle for a nice house with a nice garden and a bit ordinary or a bit different and a bit special?

 

housebuyer143

Only you can decide what is most important to you and what you can or can't live without or with for that matter. Most people make some kind of comprise when buying as nothing is perfect. 

CSI_Yorkshire

You can fix up and extend a house.

You can't pick it up and put it on a nice plot in a nice area.

saucer

We have friends whose garden has a river at the end, and it is a really lovely asset. I’d check flood risk and impact of being near water on insurance but otherwise it sounds great to me

Grizebeck

saucer said:

We have friends whose garden has a river at the end, and it is a really lovely asset. I’d check flood risk and impact of being near water on insurance but otherwise it sounds great to me

the gardens have flooded but the house wont flood as its a lot higher up and insurance is just normal 

Silvertabby

There's no such thing as the perfect house in the perfect location at the perfect price.  Before we went house hunting, we made lists of: Everything we absolutely must have.  Anything we absolutely didn't want.  Anything we may be willing to compromise on.

Everyone's lists will be different.  For example our 'absolutely not' list included stairs from the lounge, instead of a separate hallway, and a toilet right next to the front door (if we were looking now, that would be a toilet leading off the lounge or dining room).  Our 'must have' list included a separate utility room, washing machine and kitty litter tray for the use of.

We've been in our house just short of 30 years, so we must have got the balance right!

Richard1212

Grizebeck said:

We have found a house and had an offer an excepted,
The house isn't as big as either of us would like, in fact the bedrooms are smaller then the 2 bed terrace we are currently in!, but over all the space is decent.  We could if we wanted to get a lot more house for a bit more money (say up to another 50/100K)
was on at 350 accepted at 315.  its a probate sale, will need some kind of extension to sort some space issues and full updating , we have the money in the bank
However the reason we like it is so much its in a lovely little village, about 20 minutes to the sea , and it has a large garden which runs all the way down to a little river, , there is an island in the middle of the river and we will have Riparian rights to our part of the river and own half the island (on out patch) - no one leases or owns the rights to this part. Garden is also big enough to grow veg and make it a lovely living spot and having river access makes it really stand out, different and not unique but you would be pushed to find that again  (no risk of flooding unless its one of those mud slide events you get in south east Asia as the house is quite far up . the whole county would be under water if that ever flooded, so risk and insurance is thus quite normal

The question is, is this worth the compromise?, do you settle for a nice house with a nice garden and a bit ordinary or a bit different and a bit special?

 

You seem to have decided already----and whatever makes YOU happy is all that matters.

So you probably won't like my own choice if it was me thinking of buying.

First, I would wish to move "up the house ladder" by buying a house with more space than I have now-----I see space as a key factor when buying and I look on buying a house with less space ( unless downsizing for old age) as a retrograde step.

Second, it is always problematic to think of all the cost and hassle of an extension which is just being built  to find sufficient space in which to live---- rather than extending for additional amenities eg utility room, sun room/conservatory, additional bedroom, en suite bathroom, games room etc etc.

Third, unless you are anglers or have some other interest in water, is there really any point in having riparian rights or owning half an islet ? How do you get to the island and what would you use it for ? Is there any safety issues regarding neighborhood kids, grandchildren or other young family visitors?
And wherever there is water , there is always the threat of rats----awful creatures who only need two things inn life for their thriving habitat : abundant water and food ( and your vegetable garden sounds a pretty good source for the latter).

Fourth, I do not know your ages or whether you have family at home, so I can't consider whether the house is unoccupied each day while you are at work, or the security aspect if the house is a bit more isolated than other types of housing ; or the work involved in keeping such a garden or how far you may have to travel to your job/s. Only you know whether you are retiring ( in which case, you might find this is not a suitable home for upkeep or ) or  whether you are young/middle aged and working and the "commuting" aspect.

Fifth----and once again I do not know whether you are elderly or not----are there enough facilities in a small village : doctors surgery, chemist, full shopping requirements, etc ?

Reading the above, I have just made this post sound positively apocalyptic ---so I apologise. But really just trying to give food for thought, as you came on to this forum for honest thoughts. You will decide and , whatever your choice, I wish you an extremely happy home. Best wishes.  

Grizebeck

Thanks @Richard1212 wise words indeed
We only just gone STC so still time to change our minds 

YoungBlueEyes

I would take the smaller rooms as a compromise on that garden/river/location all day long. You soon get used to smaller rooms (presuming they're not teeny tiny rooms). Problems need only be temporary if you can throw money at them, either now or down the line.

If you went for the "lot more house for a bit more money", what would that location be like...? What would the compromise be there? 

We made a similar compromise when we bought this house. We could have afforded a detached but that area was.... not very swish So we're in a semi on a good road, in a decent location and it was absolutely the right thing for us. Yes the to-do list is getting longer and longer as we're getting jobs done but it doesn't matter. It's still a solid house on a good road, everything else can be sorted. 

babyblade41

Location above anything else, houses can be adapted over time but garden and outside views can't be built 

Bluebell1000

I think it sounds lovely! We moved from a larger house with small garden, to smaller house with large garden. 6 years later, we are now planning an extension to add a 4th bedroom (we have 2 children and need an office - and want a games room!) - but we have absolutely no regrets about our move, we love the house and the location.