house compromises

[DaveInPgh]

Yep these are exactly what I was hoping for. Reading about what people "traded off" things for. We're still negotiating with each other (over condition) and what is on the market.

Who is winning the negotiations?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Well we haven't found a house either of us loves yet. We did however see a house that we "should buy" but we didn't. It hit all the boxes, 4 bd, 3 car garage, playroom, den, small yard, great location (excellent actually). Move in ready nothing needing to be done. Just tearing out carpet for allergies. But we didn't feel the house. I don't know why we both looked at each other and said we "should" buy this house but didn't want to. Oh and it fell well within the budget. We could definitely happily eat. But I don't know what turned us off.

My DH made the statement if either of us had LOVED the house we'd have bought it and convinced the other. But both of us walked it and we just felt weird. It could have been the $100k worth of closets put in that couple of the bedrooms was entirely closets. So to make it back to bedrooms for the kids we'd be tearing out those california closets that this couple (without kids and obviously could afford it), bought and installed. The woman in 1 room I counted had over 200 pairs of shoes. And just full of clothes. I mean playroom = entirely built out closet. Guest bedroom had 3 hanging racks of clothes. 3rd bedroom upstairs had built in dressers and a wardrobe. On top of the closet of the master bedroom. Plus I will admit that it was beautifully decorated with cutouts and vases and nice fixtures. No idea why it didn't appeal.

[sandrark]

Our first house, bought in 1992:

We compromised on:

- Condition. It was a probate sale, and the house was in horrid shape. When we sold 19 years later, we had resuscitated it from the dead.

- Access to the backyard. You had to go through the kitchen, down three doors and three flights of steps to get to the backyard. It was nice enough, but so awkward that we rarely used it.

- Garage. The house was built in 1923, and still had a single width garage. So DH parked in the garage, and I parked in the driveway. Got old after nearly 20 years.

Current house:

- Electric kitchen. It *will* be plumbed for gas when we renovate.

- Stairs. We didn't want any, but our house is elevated a bit, which gives us a full basement, in *addition* to the garage. So plenty of room for a work bench and tool area, without intruding into the parking.

[corn18]

We moved a lot in the Navy and bought some, rented some and lived on base housing once. What we learned was buy the neighborhood first then find a house there that met as many needs as possible. We didn't do it that way for our first 2 homes and while the homes were great, we weren't near friends or like minded (i.e. military) folks our age with kids. The third house was pretty below average, but the neighborhood was outstanding and neighbors were perfect. We had a lot of fun. When we lived on base, the house didn't meet many needs, but oh my, the neighborhood and schools were fantastic. Same with our 4th and 5th houses.

The house we're in now was fine for older kids, but if I had to do it over again, I would buy in a more developed neighborhood. But it's an awesome house. Almost got this one just right. But I would give up some house plusses to be in a more vibrant and active neighborhood for people without kids (it's a young kid neighborhood).

Now we are faced with moving again and not sure how we'll go about picking a house without kids. Will be the first time for that.

Tom

[tripods68]

We didn't compromised on our recent home purchase. It was all expected.
4 br, 3 full bath, 2157 new home. We didn't want a bigger home 2500 + sq and the both backyard and front yard are drought friendly which is great to have living in California.

[phantom]

Our compromise was getting a house that wasn't entirely "finished." We bought a custom house so we were able to pick our lot and get everything exactly as we wanted it. But, it would have been a struggle to do that and start out with things like a finished basement and a deck. So far the plan has worked decently well and our perfect house is slowly coming together. Unfortunately, it's been going much more slowly than I'd like. We're currently stalled on the basement, having a hard time justifying paying a contractor, knowing we could do it ourselves and save a bundle if only we had the time.

[FLA]

1st house- with ex-husband, a cape with 3 BRs, 2bath, large fenced yard for dogs, bright sunny house, park close by, short quiet street. I loved the house. We gave up a good high school district, lower schools were fine. Ended up not mattering since we split. Also, lived near-ish to a land fill that right after I sold it, expanded practically to the street we lived on, dodged that bullet.

2nd house- large townhouse, huge bedrooms, huge walkout sunny basement with 2 finished rooms, but small kitchen and LR/DR. Didn't really matter as I am not a gourmet cook. I loved that house, too.

3rd house- wanted separate spaces as DD and I were moving with my parents to help take care of my mom. Would've liked 2 master's. Our spaces are at opposite ends of the house, my room is not huge, that was an ok compromise. It's handicapped accessible for my mother. Cons- paid too much and stayed in high tax area and then DD moved out and we didn't need to be in the great school district anymore. Think it will be difficult to get our money back on this house. Lack of total privacy but I knew that going in as we did not want a duplex.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Tom you've given me something to really think about. I never considered neighborhood.

[snafu]

Our list of must have's haven't changed much over 6 house purchases primarily moving to facilitate careers opportunities. In unfamiliar cities priorities shifts. I sought the best bang for the buck, efficient, easy to manage sf for typical chores and activities.

#1 Location/neighbourhood and access to services.
#2 Easy commute to work for both of us
#2/3 Good/excellent school rating [various school levels]; decent distance
#4 Good report from certificated Home Inspector [no serious hidden problems]
#5 Good flow from entrances, adequate space, particularly kitchen/ prep/table/ clean-up, adequate cupboards, closets.
#6 2.5 bathrooms or more, conveniently located
#7 3-4 bedrms, [4th bdrm in basement with half bath ok]
#8 Attached 2 car garage + workbench space; easy egress driveway #9 Decent public transportation [Canadian thing] efficient route to airport
#10 Sufficient space to host 3 annual staff events [Lg or adjoined LR,Dining,FR

It all relates to personal priorities and lifestyle you want. STAHM have time to care for larger sf.
I prefer a split level or back split; lower taxes, efficient use of land.
We enjoy both a patio [BBQ, table/chairs/umbrella] and upper deck [lounges]
Laundry somewhat adjacent to bedrms to avoid running up and down stairs with baskets of folded laundry.
Reasonable sized, flat lot, well/professionally landscaped [Canadian thing], mowed in an hour.

I bought a 4 level condo 10 years ago, our oldest build and DIYed a through update whose tasks were within our skill sets. We're both coping with health challenges leading to changes to our lifestyle. We have decided the place is too big for empty nesters and are working to have to have it sale ready after holidays and by the time the snow goes.
I'd avoid a corner lot, because you are responsible for boulevard care and snow removal from public sidewalks.
I'd never, ever again buy a house with a pool. It requires more work than I'd imagined. An expensive, well built, privacy fenced was meaningless to other peoples pets, wild life, and teens who were clever enough to figure out the electronic latch. I had to be out there with any children under 12 [you can't count on parents to be mindful]. It fell t me to keep track of everyone's towels and pool toys. By season's end, I was calling everyone whose number I had to pick up their stuff.

[FLA]

ITA on the pool thing especially since our summer season is short. What a money pit. Ex-BF spent more time maintaining the pool than his kids spent swimming in it. And every child-less weekend when we were alone, we were stuck entertaining neighbors and their kids to whom he had issued an open invitation. No thanks!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Yes I've seen a nice place with a pool and we said no way. Although we did consider ripping it out or filling with cement.

[scfr]

1st purchase compromise: condo instead of house
2nd & 3rd house compromises: my commute time/distance (later on my work "rearranged" and I was able to shorten my commute in the process)

Regarding the long commute time/distance, I made the best of it by listening to NPR on the way to work and audiobooks checked out from the library on the way home.

I think what I have learned is that there are always going to be trade-offs. I would go for compromises where you can make some adjustments to make things "better even if not ideal." There are some things you can't change like single story vs. multi-story; if those types of things are on your list of must-haves then you don't compromise on those.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Nope I don't care about type or style of house. Only location and schools. But right now finding right location is hard with what we want size wise. Too many homes are large without good layouts and lots of wasted space and rooms.

[sv2007]

We've bought around 10 houses and the realtor is right: "location, location, location". Look at the house, what can't you change? That's what you really need to pay attention on and get the best you can within your budget. It's going to affect you in the long term; and its definitely will impact resale.

Busy street? In a dangerously area? In this school district? Flood zone? town A and not B? Think you can change these thing?

Work with a good realtor and listen to him/her. Unfortunately, there are very few good ones; so you've got to search hard.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I'm still searching.