We almost bought a house today. Really, we were this close to making the highest offer but we let it slip and although we'll always remember it as the 'almost' house, I think we did the right thing. We'll never really know, will we?
We've been looking at houses for a little while. At first, in a fairly abstract and distant way, just getting a sense of what's around. Recently though, we've been looking with intent. We have a fairly good idea of what we need (which is slightly different to what we want) and a reasonable idea of what we can spend.
Soon enough, we have had to start making compromises, mainly on location. Luckily, houses around Newcastle are relatively affordable (compared to Sydney) but unfortunately, the area we prefer and where we have been living is fairly out of reach. So we've enlarged our perimeter and started finding houses that could tick boxes. Spacious, backyards, garage, in need of some renovation (architects, remember?).
Last week-end, we visited five houses. Locations, prices and condition varied a fair bit but there was one we liked more than the others. It had stuff going for it. It was the right amount of bad: liveable for a short period with good potential for a substantial renovation in a couple of years. It was spacious, it had a backyard, it was in a good location, right across from a nice park. It had some charm and large bay windows, stained glass around the front door, high ceilings... but above all else, it had what we are referring to as "the barn".
The Barn is a double story shed/garage at the back of the site. Clad with corrugated steel, it has a cool industrial look and with several windows all around it, it is screaming out to be transformed into a fantastic guest loft / artist studio type space. It would be PERFECT for long stay visitors (you know who you are).
The Barn is what is making it so hard to let it go by. The price was almost right but not quite right. It pushed us past the upper limits of our budget and as these things happen very fast, it became overwhelming. Would we be biting off more than we could chew?
This morning we decided that we would be... but damn, as I type this, I am starting to wonder...
We've been looking at houses for a little while. At first, in a fairly abstract and distant way, just getting a sense of what's around. Recently though, we've been looking with intent. We have a fairly good idea of what we need (which is slightly different to what we want) and a reasonable idea of what we can spend.
Soon enough, we have had to start making compromises, mainly on location. Luckily, houses around Newcastle are relatively affordable (compared to Sydney) but unfortunately, the area we prefer and where we have been living is fairly out of reach. So we've enlarged our perimeter and started finding houses that could tick boxes. Spacious, backyards, garage, in need of some renovation (architects, remember?).
Last week-end, we visited five houses. Locations, prices and condition varied a fair bit but there was one we liked more than the others. It had stuff going for it. It was the right amount of bad: liveable for a short period with good potential for a substantial renovation in a couple of years. It was spacious, it had a backyard, it was in a good location, right across from a nice park. It had some charm and large bay windows, stained glass around the front door, high ceilings... but above all else, it had what we are referring to as "the barn".
The Barn is a double story shed/garage at the back of the site. Clad with corrugated steel, it has a cool industrial look and with several windows all around it, it is screaming out to be transformed into a fantastic guest loft / artist studio type space. It would be PERFECT for long stay visitors (you know who you are).
The Barn is what is making it so hard to let it go by. The price was almost right but not quite right. It pushed us past the upper limits of our budget and as these things happen very fast, it became overwhelming. Would we be biting off more than we could chew?
This morning we decided that we would be... but damn, as I type this, I am starting to wonder...
Sounds tantalizing ... and you may remember your "almost" house and barn for a while but have no regrets.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't want to invest beyond your means and then have to pinch pennies to fix up and furnish or even more trying, for daily life.
It takes a lot of visits to find a comfy fit and you will.
Yes, we will. and when we do, we will be ready.
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