Should you buy it if you don't love it? - Page 2

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Sometimes, the things you dislike now grow on you and you come to love them.

This has happened to me twice.

I'm not the kind to fall "in love" with a house...it's a house, after all...so every place we have lived has had things about it that I didn't like when we bought.

And I've grown to love both of the houses. Once your family is there and you have memories associated with the house...it grows on you.

It changes from a "house" to your home.

So I would think long and hard about what is more important to you.

Tile or good schools? Layout or a nice neighborhood?

If you research this house and the realtor is right -- it is a good price for what you are getting -- then I would buy it. If the appraisal value is a lot higher than the price, I would buy it and be happy to have found such a good price.

Change the tile or remodel in a few years.

[Momma2DoubleCuties]

I say no. We did it because we LOVED the backyard, 1/4 acre lot is hard to find in our area and we really dislike the house now. We both wish we didn't rush into it. I suggest keep looking, the once you like will come and you will know it! Good luck!

[bongoblue]

Originally Posted by Fuamami

I wouldn't! And watch out for your realtor!

Absolutely agree with this.

If you are working within a budget and depending on your personality, you might never find the house that makes your heart sing. That's okay. That said... It's just a house. Houses come on the market everyday. If you weren't out shopping, you'd be missing out on all these perceived "deals". The right "deal" is finding a home that meets your needs at the price that is comfortable when the time is right. Don't underestimate the stress caused by a bunch of DIY home improvements/repairs. Some people don't like spending every free dollar and minute fixing all the stuff they don't like about their home. (Ahem, been there, done THAT!)

Good luck. Don't let anyone - not your realtor, not your spouse, not the mortgage rates, not your kids/dogs/friends/family, not even those wee voices in your own mind - rush the issue.

[gwen's mom]

Bruce Williams, a financial advisor on the radio always says you should not love something that can not love you back. To me a house is no different. I don't think you necessarily have to love something to buy it. I think you need to have a home that meets your needs and it sounds the house you have described would do that. I don't know if there is ever the "perfect house" unless you build your own.

We bought 7 months ago in a small university town where I work. We looked at 31 properties; everything in our price range. I did not fall in love with anything I saw. The house we bought was the right size for our growing family, close enough so I can walk to work, with two city parks 1 block away in either direction. After being in the house for the past 1/2 a year and having been renovating the entire time, I can say that I still do not love it. It is just a house.

[RoundAbout]

Originally Posted by gwen's mom

Bruce Williams, a financial advisor on the radio always says you should not love something that can not love you back.

I love this!

I actually totally disagree with the idea that you should "love" a house too. I think its a symptom of our materialism and fantasy culture (like huge expensive weddings). A home is what you make it. I grew up in rundown apartment buildings and my childhood memories are no less magical than those of my peers. Our home centered around our family, not a specific building.

I've seen so many people get into trouble because they got emotionally wrapped up in a house. Everything from buying a house they couldn't afford, to somehow thinking the perfect house will fix their family or social life, to making huge sacrifices to keep their house at the expense of their family time together and family harmony.

As Dave Ramsey says "It's just a house, there's one on every corner."

That said, I wouldn't necessarily buy this house as its at the top of your price point and a buyer's market. I don't think you have to love it, but you shouldn't settle for the first house that meets your needs either (especially if its not cheap).

[choli]

In the current market, I'd hold out for something that is either more to your liking, or in the lower part of your price range.

[Valian]

No, no, no. Do NOT buy the house.
We did, we really wish we had not.

I haven't read all the replies but I've shared our story a time or two before because we are a cautionary tale. We didn't love it, but there were few houses on the market, we had a tight deadline for buying (or so we thought) and if felt like it was this house or none.

Its not so much that we are miserable or hate the place with strong feelings. Instead, the house is a source of low-grade stress. We aren't happy here. We aren't happy to come home. In return, we don't always take great care of it and the problems we anticipated have created more trouble that you could imagine. If in doubt, say no!

We will be far, far more picky next time we buy.

ETA: We have been here going on 4 years and our feelings have not changed for the better, so its not as though we are just going through buyer's remorse.

[ChattyCat]

I would go for a house at the low to middle of my price range, if it had most things we wanted but I didn't love it. I would never buy a house at the top of my price range that I didn't absolutely love. For two reasons: 1) the top of my price range is reserved for just such a situation LOL and 2) if I spend all my money on a house that I don't love, I don't have any money to change the things that I don't like.

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

I wouldn't do it. Any house you're going to buy will be a compromise, by definition. You won't find the perfect house in the perfect location with the perfect amenities at the perfect price. The best you can do is find a house that meets all the necessaries and makes you happy at a price you can afford.

This house doesn't sound like it.

[Doula Dani]

No.

[wildmonkeys]

If you are in a high COL area and a hot market - then yeah, I would do it.

Many people I know will never have the chance to buy a house THEY LOVE in a good school district. I would balance the tiles with the schools, the neighborhood, etc. and realize that you can change the tiles, but not the location...

[MamaMonica]

Can you rent in the good school district until you find a house you really like? Any house you buy now could be difficult to sell if you like it even less after buying it.

[RGsMom]

I agree with everyone else - If you don't LOVE it AND it's at the top of your price range - you do NOT want to be house broke for one and especially not on one you don't absolutely love!