"sigh" Does anyone else wish they had chosen another house after moving? (appointed, apartment) - The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

rkburk · 07-09-2007, 06:15 PM

Ok let me start by saying I'm not miserable, things are just not the way I want them to be.....we researched, looked, had neighborhoods narrowed down, etc. but in the week (yes, a week, long story) we had to buy a house we made the best choice of houses that were available but I am not happy. I know I need to stop looking at the listings but I keep seeing houses that are on the market now (but weren't in March) and thinking "darn"! I know I need to give it time but it's more structural than neighborhood...everyone has been so nice in the neighborhood and I'm so glad we moved to NC. I just don't like my house! What do I do? Deal? Vent to a forum about stupid issues like a bad back yard and small bedrooms? Or wait for a year or two and then move? Any suggestions (other than deep breaths)? How has anyone else dealt with this?

autumngal · 07-09-2007, 06:42 PM

Nope, I am always grateful to have a roof over our heads.
There is a difference between looking at listings of homes than actually going to and inside the listed homes.
If it was me, I would make the most of it, keep the house updated and in a very desireable state, then in 5 years sell it.
NC allows you ample opportunity to be outside most of the year, don't worry about the small bedrooms they are for sleeping anyway,

rkburk · 07-09-2007, 06:54 PM

You're right, I know....I'm not really a whiney kinda girl. We just left a house we loved but a situation that we were unhappy with....now the two have been flipped (good neighborhood but bad house) and I wasn't really thinking about that....just wanted to get to NC. But now, I'm in this house and feeling lonely for our old place even if it's just a building...my children are the most tan they have very been in their entire lives (and yes before anybody jumps on me, I use sunscreen on them)!! Just adding my 2 cents about buying a house from long distance.

needhalc · 07-09-2007, 07:02 PM

Think about ways you can improve or work with your house. Would finishing an attic as a playroom or planting some plants to screen help you feel better about it? If its a good neighborhood, then you could look at it as a smart investment.

I am really mental about my house, and we bought this house knowing it needed a few tweaks. We had a deck added on to create more living space and removed a closet that shouldn't have been there anyway and opened things up. It has location, location, location so it was worth it.

Selling a house costs lots of money as you already know...if you can, take that money & make it the way you want it...

By the way, I still look at houses online 2 yrs later...its a habit....

jeannie216 · 07-09-2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkburk

You're right, I know....I'm not really a whiney kinda girl. We just left a house we loved but a situation that we were unhappy with....now the two have been flipped (good neighborhood but bad house) and I wasn't really thinking about that....just wanted to get to NC. But now, I'm in this house and feeling lonely for our old place even if it's just a building...my children are the most tan they have very been in their entire lives (and yes before anybody jumps on me, I use sunscreen on them)!! Just adding my 2 cents about buying a house from long distance.

I really think you need to give it a little more time. If I had the choice of your two situations, I would definately take the good neighborhood.

What I don't understand is, how could it be a bad house? You must have seen something you liked about it to have purchased it, right? Also, do you think you may just be a bit homesick? I cannot wait to leave NJ and get to NC, but I also think there may be some homesickness involved for all of us.

Very natural, I think. A house is only a house, but a home is something that you and your family will create. Try and give it a little more time, and once it feels like home, then make a decision.

SALUKI_LOVER · 07-09-2007, 07:32 PM

Hey, what's a message board for if you can't vent your frustrations??
This won't be your last move - when I feel disappointed I keep it simple and just try hard and count-my-blessings and think of all the things I have to be grateful for and it helps keep things in perspective. Get this..my husband and I sold our 4 bedroom home a year ago and have been living in a 500 square foot studio apartment here in So CA ($1100 monthly) but we're really happy and thankful we don't have a lot of stuff BUT we are ready to move on. This is a helpful thread because you make a good case for renting first which we are doing for the first 6 months. We want time to get to know the area and hone in on where we want to eventually live so for those of you thinking of renting vs. buying ??????

findingmesomeday · 07-09-2007, 07:32 PM

When we bought this house in MA 10 years ago, I definitely did NOT like it very much. But after an addition, a kitchen renovation/blowout wall/enlargement, updating bathrooms, painting every room and finishing the attic and basement, ya know, I'm gonna miss it!

CAKD · 07-09-2007, 08:04 PM

Okay everyone is right but I know it is hard. I am not in LOVE with my house. I like it okay. Are there things I wish it had and rooms I wish were bigger and do I wish it had brick footings instead of stacked stone.......????? You betcha! BUT I have got the best neighbors of any place we have ever lived. I have a great lot that is going to be even better once we finish all the landscaping. My Dh got so sick of me telling everyone that this is "just not my dream home" that he got really discouraged and took it as a personal slap. So what to do? I have done some decorating (as that is what I do

) to make me love things about this house. If we stay forever then so be it. If not maybe I will get to build my dream home next time. One thing I know for certain we will be hard pressed to ever get the neighbors we have here that are now friends. trust me I have had the opposite with the dream home and people can make your life miserable walls really can't unless you let them

If you want to figure out some things that will inspire you to love your home from a esthetic perspective just ring me. You have my number and well pretty much no where to find me

rkburk · 07-09-2007, 08:10 PM

Looking back, we should have rented but with 3 children, a cat and a husband that works from home it seemed like it would be tooo hard, especially since the kids might have had to move twice when it came to schools. We moved in April (apt locale would have been different than possible house locale). I guess my biggest take away from this for anyone reading the post is to really think about the timing of your move, if you can. In other markets it might take 2-6 months to sell your house, where in this market things move faster. We listed our house in Chicago in Feb, thinking we had months before it would sell. It sold in one day which was great for us, but in the areas that we wanted to buy homeowners knew that they could wait 'til school was out (etc,) to list b/c listings are moving so much faster here. Timing is everything. Now the apt thing is not looking so bad in comparison to "making do". Most of the prime homes in the subs we like didn't hit the MLS' til after June after school was out. Just something to think about if you are thinking about specific neighborhoods that are in demand

Wanna Leave Penciltucky · 07-10-2007, 12:04 AM

I see houses all the time that make me think, I could have done that...I should have done that....why didn't we thnk of that?
You can only do this make your home comfortable for a couple of years till you decide what makes you happy. I watch HGTV and they make me feel like an under decorated and unfurnished and under under...
You have to find things you like about your home and work on the things you do not. In the meantime keep in mind that you can sell your home whenever you want and find another home. Do what makes you happy.