Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

Ok, of course you would have to be in the market for a home, but hypothetically speaking, would you buy this house?

DH and I saw a home this past weekend that we both really liked and were really excited about, but after some thought, we don’t know if it is right for us. What do you think?

It has the right number of beds and baths for us, and they are a good size. It is in our price range and taxes are reasonable. It has many of the specs we are looking for, including a good school district, walk to LIRR.

BUT, there is hardly any yard because the current owners have a huge deck out back and Jacuzzi. There is just a very small patch of grass. And there is no proper driveway or garage. There is one spot behind the house that we could use and there is street parking, but we only have one car. We see this as more of an issue down the road if/when we have kids that would eventually drive and get their own cars. (We are not looking for a starter home). One last “con” is that the basement is kind of short. It’s an old house and DH can stand up in it, but he has to watch his head around the beams. Would these be deal breakers for you if everything else were good?

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

If you are looking for your forever home I would definitely not copromise and get a house without a garage and proper driveway and a basement that is low. These are things that I could live with if I was staying in the house for a couple of years but not forever. I would definitely keep looking.

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

Trust me, when you have kids you will want a yard and not have to park on the street. I would keep looking

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

That is what I thought, thanks ladies.

One last "what if" - what if we could remove part of the deck and integrate that back spot into the yard? We thought we might also be able to make part of the front yard into a semi-circular driveway since there is good frontage.

I could deal without a good yard OR basement, but not both.

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

Is it in your dream neighborhood?

I don't need a huge yard but it would have to be decent. And no driveway? That seems odd. Did there used to be a driveway?

And for us with 3 kids a basement is a must.

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

Posted by LovesMike

That is what I thought, thanks ladies.

One last "what if" - what if we could remove part of the deck and integrate that back spot into the yard? We thought we might also be able to make part of the front yard into a semi-circular driveway since there is good frontage.

I could deal without a good yard OR basement, but not both.

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

A garage was on the "must have" list for us. I rather have a garage and no basement.

That being said, the house cosemetically can be changed over time. you can not change the location or property size so if those things fit your requirements everything else can be changed (at a cost)

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

The basement as you described would be a deal breaker for me.

If i couldn't have it as usable space, meaning having kids down there to play, or have it as a den or proper storage, then it would be like having no basement at all.

I think that combined with the lack of driveway parking and garage and yard would make me doubt the house.

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

The lack of a yard wouldn't bother me that much, if you think about NY weather - most of the time you and/or your kids will be spending will be indoors anyway. The only "nice" months for outdoor BBQs or backyard parties is only 4 months (May - August) and even then, when the weather gets too hot, everyone would rather hit a beach or a
pool anyway.

However no garage/driveway is a big negative. If I start looking for homes now, the lack of a garage is a definite deal breaker so unfortunately I'd have to pass on that house too.

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

no. lot size is something you cannot change about your home.

keep going!! it's out there!

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

I wouldnt compromise on those things in particular. But you have to determine what are the things you can compromise on.

Driveway space is important especially if you plan to be there when you have kids, who will one day drive. But you will want a spot for yourself as well. We have a one car driveway but plan on (and easily can) expand it.

Basement to us was also important, it is nb extention of our living space. We finished ours and cant imagine not having that extra space now.

A yard was a biggie for us. Ive always wanted a large yard to entertain and to have our children have a place to play.

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

Doesn't sound like the right house for you. Pass.

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

Keep looking!!

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

Since this is your "forever" home, I think you will quickly regret no garage, no useable basement and no yard.

To me the yard is not a huge deal, because it's just one more thing to maintain, but we have both a basement and a garage and I can't imagine life without either of them!

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

I would NOT buy it

Re: Would you buy this house? (kinda long)

If you had a large yard, but no garage, you could add a detached garage later.

If you had a garage, but no finishable basement, you could always convert the garage to a family / play room down the line.

If you had a big driveway and a yard you could make bigger with the removal of a deck/jacuzzi, you might be okay without the garage.

But what you described doesn't meet any of those...so I say pass.

When we move, we'll be looking for our 'forever' home too, and a finished or finishable basement and a decent yard for playing/entertaining in are a MUST...even if it meant slightly smaller bedrooms or bathrooms.