House buying dilemma

I think it would depend on what was not-so-perfect about the house in the perfect location - and whether I could live with it. If so, then I would go with that option.

Are you buying in Houston? (I saw that your GC had come through)

TG

Why is the not-so-perfect house not-so-perfect?

Could it be changed to make it more perfect?

Just you couldn't change the location of the other one, so would be tempted by this route myself.

It's location for me every time. Can you make the not-so-perfect house a bit more perfect with some decorating, renovation, extending etc?

Is the perfect house still in a good location in terms of area? Is it a place you'd like to live in? Does being overlooked mean that you won't use the garden etc? I personally wouldn't count a view as a deal breaker on an otherwise perfect house, but the area is really important I think.

From (bitter) experience I'd go for the not so perfect house in the perfect location. Houses can be altered/improved within reason but location is paramount IMO.

The perfect location is looking over a natural reserve. When we go and visit all we hear are birds and frogs and see people walking by or cycling on the trail that's on the other side of the fence.

It's a new build, nearly finished.

Things that are getting to me are the lack of storage. In this house there are closets and cupboards everywhere - some are actual rooms they are so big. New house has appalling storage in comparison. Also, the master bathroom toilet is so tiny you can hardly shut the door. Your thighs are practically touching the walls.

It's a different kettle of fish over here guys house buying. The houses are enormous compared to back home. If we'd seen this house when we were living in the UK we would have hyperventilated, but since then we've learnt what is good and what isn't so good. Some builders really go to town with the detail. This builder hasn't, and it shows sadly.

Another sticking point is the trail path. It runs right on the other side of the fence (which is a metal pole type of fence, waist height to not block view). People are always walking past and looking in. I love privacy, but trying very hard to get over that due to said view.

Gah, it's so hard, and I'm being pressurised to make a decision. We got the news our GCs were approved and less than 24 hours later we were house hunting. 48 hours later Mr P got me to put a lot hold on this place and we have until Saturday at 2 pm to make a decision. With all that's going on with my brother (he's worsening) and stuff with the houses, I'm overwhelmed ?

Oh, back to perfect house. My goodness .. what a house! Stunning. Awesome. Drop dead gorgeous. BUT it's near roads and they will be busy when the development is finished and people live there. Brand new again.

Perfect location house can't be changed. Another thing that's not great is the kitchen colours. Dark wood with light granite. Looks ok, but I prefer the other way round! Light wood and dark granite. There is NO WAY it can be changed unless we want to spend another fortune. The kitchen is huuuuuuuuumongous, so to change it now is impossible. The appliances, sink, hob and everything else isn't in yet. The granite only went in yesterday, so we saw it last night when we visiting again (I've been twice a day since Sunday lol)

Toilet size and lack of storage can't be changed either

Peaches I was thinking about you and your brother yesterday - how is he??

I can see the dilemma - I think in this case i'd go with perfect house, is there scope to keep looking?

I think we need pictures ?

Anna, the hospital are talking to me now, thank God. He's in agony with his broken ribs and has a huge blockage in his stomach so it nil by mouth. They've done a head scan as he was very disorientated and confused, but ruled out head injury.

All very upsetting not to be there.

His depression is terrible. They're wondering if he caused the accident on purpose, so will be getting the psychiatric team to evaluate. Thing is, if he refuses them, they can't force him.

He's agitated too, and that's the alcohol withdrawal. I'd hoped he'd take this time to reflect, but he asked my cousin if he had any drink on him on Monday, so clearly not. If I'm honest, he needs to be in care or a clinic. Mum said his house resembled Life of Grime ☹️ (my words, not hers .. but from her description)

Yes, buying in Houston. Well, Katy or Fulshear to be precise!

Oh Peaches - I don't know what to say - but I think in one of your previous posts you said maybe this was a blessing in disguise as at least now he is being looked after in some way or another, physically if not mentally. Glad its not head injury though. Has he been preoscribed AD's or is he not willing to take anything? If there is anything I can do.....probably isn't but even if it helps to talk, please do. im on msn as well my email is *********@*******.*** ?

Thanks Anna. Really appreciate that ?

I'm running late (what's new?!) so have to dash now, but could still do with some help in deciding if I'm being a fool complaining about storage and loo sizes!

Is adding storage an option? built in wardrobes etc? Small loo is a shame though, we have that problem but the rest of the house makes up for it - that doesnt help you though ?

Does it have to be one or the other?

Assuming that they are both on new developments, could a new plot become available that means you could have input to the design of a house in the perfect location or get a better location for the perfect house?

Do you have time to look at other houses or do you have to move quickly?

I think I would prefer the perfect location.

Surely, there must be something you can do to improve the storage situation- clever fitted wardrobes, use of garage space , board out the loft etc. If not, thinking practically, how much storage do you really need? The more space you have, the more tempting it is to hold onto crap you don't use.

As for the ensuite bathroom, could you turn the door round, so that it opens outwards instead of into the room ?

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Not sure I would like the open fencing without privacy, but that is a personal choice. Also, not sure I would do without the storage and I am surprised with what you said re the master bedroom toilet given what Texas houses are normally like.

Is it possible to get a different style house (more what you want) on another plot at the location you like? Or have you time to look at other houses that might give you both?

It is such a big decision, I would probably want to wait and get exactly what I wanted (although that might not be possible if you are under pressure to sort it out). Seems like things have moved very quickly.

Sorry to hear about your Brother, I can only imagine the stress you are under with that and the housing decisions.

Take care

TG

Neither of these is the right house, by the sounds of it. Is there a reason you have to choose one of them? I think you have so much on your mind right now the pressure of having to decide is likely to make you choose the wrong place, just for the sake of making a choice. When you find the right house, you won't be hesitating, you will know.

L
xx

Why the massive rush? Do you have to leave your current house?

Neither house sounds like the right one and if it was me I'd be hanging on and looking around. It's silly to jump at the first house when you will likely be there for a long time.

We couldn't buy a plot CJJ as we need to move sooner than they can build, although they do build at a lightning pace.

We're going out with the Realtor tomorrow to view about 6 houses. We then have to make a decision on the one we've put a lot hold on when we meet with the Sales counsellor on Saturday.

I took a friend there today and she loves the house. She, like me, hates the wall colours, but that can be changed (stuff like that is expensive here though). The storage isn't so much of a problem for me now as I've come to terms with it. The loo I'd have to live with. The bathroom, although big for UK standards, is half the size of the one we have here, so again, needs to be gotten used to.

The house backs out onto a natural reserve. There is water in this reserve which isn't stagnant, but not flowing fast either, so the chances of a mosquito problem is high. So that's another problem.

Will see what comes forth tomorrow

Oops .. I didn't realise there were more replies on a 2nd page!

You're right, this is a massive rush, and I'm overwhelmed like hell about it. It's driving me mad that Mr P is going hell for leather and wanting to find a house immediately. We went to see more houses last night and I could tell he was exasperated with me as I didn't like the location. So we ended up having a row.

I'm tired. Exhausted if I'm honest. Brother worries the hell out of me and there is lots going on with the houses back home, so my mind is elsewhere most of the time (hence the speeding fine yesterday - I'm just somewhere else in my head!), so the pressure now of finding a house NOW is immense. He doesn't get it though, and then proceeds to piss me off big time when he says 'lets not bother then'. Argh! Toys out of pram, and so bloody childish. But, he is excited. It's a life-changing thing that's happened at least 1 year, possibly 2 years sooner than we'd hoped for. Everyone is saying how lucky we are. I'm just in stress-city with it all!

Tonight I'm going to make sure I put my feet up and watch TV. I'm not going house hunting for the 5th night in a row until 10 or 11 pm!

I've already said about changing the door opening outwards instead of inwards. That would definitely help.

Loft isn't an option due to the huge air-conditioning system. Lofts don't exist for space as we know it, but for HVAC systems.

Storage isn't so much an issue anymore. I'm coming round on that one. The house does have a lot of bedrooms, after all! Fitted wardrobes aren't an option either as every bedroom comes with it's own closet. They are just smaller than this house. We've clearly been spoilt, and I'm clearly turning Texan in my tastes!!

See, in this case, you need to do what I did....I looked at houses during the day, made a short list and only took H to the ones that I liked!

Hope you got a relaxing evening last night.

My way of standing my ground and saying I wasn't going house-hunting was to strip off and put my PJs on! ? I got my relaxing evening .. cereal for dinner while curled up catching up with The Biggest Loser! Bliss!

Due to not knowing this was going to happen I've not had time to go and visit houses during the day as I've had stuff going on every day this week. Today is my day off for catching up with paperwork and UK phone calls, but that's going to be cut short as Mr P is leaving work at 12 so we can go out with the realtor and visit houses together.

I'm not going to be pushed into making a decision about a house I have doubts over. It's not even been a week since we got our GCs. Even his company are shocked. 6 weeks is totally unheard of in the history of them sponsoring Expats. Six weeks! I'm still in shock!

Just realised you won't get to see this house now ☹️

As much as your H won't want to hear it. Don't rush into things. I don't know what your future plans are but I'm always thinking of whether I could easily sell the house again when I'm house hunting. So the potentially busy street would put me off for the second house and the lack of storage (by American standards) on the first - as well as the potential mozzy problem. Given the current economy, are things moving that fast there? Would you still have a possibility on the house you have on hold at a later date? Also, if you're looking at new builds, I'd pick a neighbourhood that's closer to being finished. There's many neighbourhoods here where just a few houses have gone up and now the building's slowed down so people who bought those houses have no neigbours and won't for a while.

I know what you mean about the privacy thing. It just isn't seen as an important aspect over here for some reason. The biggest reason we love our house is that it has a massive yard so we arent' directly overlooked by the people behind us.

Sorry for the rambling.

Kate

Won't I see your fabulous, new house? Anyway, it's not actually the house I am so interested in visiting, there are loads of houses around

L
xx