Ask HN: How to decide if a house is the right fit?

[henrygabby]

Is there such a thing as a "perfect" house? My wife and I are in the market to buy a house and we found a house we like however it isn't close to any shops/stores (need to drive 4 min), it's on a fairly busy road, and there isn't a sidewalk. Homeowners, how did ya'll decide if a house was "perfect"?

[defrost]

Everytime I've bought a house (I'm old and have moved a few times) I've decided up front that it would take at least six months (mostly it took far less time, but the no hurry mindset is useful to have) and every week myself and anyone I was partnered with would look at nearly all the listings we could in the ares of interest, and we would visit at least four or five open homes a week and engage in early ballpark price negotiations on maybe two of those.

That exercise of swimming in the market and walking through what can be had is what will form your evolving notion of what the perfect house (at this time, in this area, with your budget) is going to be.

Perfect for me has at various times meant the most run down shitty house in an up and coming area (good deal on price, nine months of part time renno, good profit on resale after 18 months), another time a termite foundation ridden historic wooden cottage in a port city (lots of fun propping up and digging out, built massive stone walls out front to dampen traffic noise, huge wooden gates to match the walls, replaced all the foundation beams one by one, reset the floor, added a mezzanine section), yet another time a good solid dull brick house in an optimal location wrt driving to city centre, driving out to country, easily reaching airport, easily reaching major north|south freeways.

When my son was reaching high school it was a good house in the catchment area of the only public school that had an aviation shop for students to build and fly light aircraft.

[dimbaka]

Many factors make a house perfect or not. One can also make improvements n evolve into one. Size, shape, amount of natural lighting, indoor/outdoor pace and your own personal preferences help in landing one with in reasonable budget. Location, amenities with in distance etc if desired can be researched on most real estate listing web sites. A helpful realtor/broker could also help.

[gregjor]

You’re asking for a general answer to a very personal and situational question. “Perfect” and “right fit” don’t describe properties of a house. They describe how a specific house matches your needs and expectations.

[k310]

4 minutes? OMG. I am 12 miles from the one market "downtown" and 50 miles from a Trader Joe's, Sprouts or Whole Foods.

Count your blessings. Thinking very seriously of moving. Sure is a pretty location. Oh well.

[JojoFatsani]

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. But if the house isn’t your “dream house,” make sure at least that you’ll be able to sell it again/it’s gonna appreciate a little.

[mathgenius]

Keep looking!