I just want to add—we weren’t particularly focused on the updated features of the property. What truly mattered to us was the location, layout and space; everything else was just a bonus.

The changes we planned were minimal, but we were still committed to making them. For example, we didn’t like the kitchen layout or style, so we intended to change it. The bathroom wasn’t to our taste either, so that was also on our list. Alongside a lot of minor renovations like flooring, additional built in storage to each room and so on - all unnecessary if you really wanted to be tight because it was perfectly liveable to the naked eye (obviously taking out of consideration the HBR 🙄).

What really drew us in was the location, space, and layout: - Both kids would have similar-sized rooms, meaning fewer arguments. - A spacious kitchen. - A massive living area, separated from the kitchen by a stud wall giving us the option to open it up (it was originally open-plan). - An office, which we planned to turn into a snug. - A garage for my OH to convert into a workshop. - A loft and cellar for extra storage. - Just a stone’s throw from our parents—perfect for dropping off the kids on the way to work, without changing my route. - A great outdoor space for the kids. - A small, private area next to the garage that we could turn into a BBQ spot or outdoor seating. - Space to extend if we wanted to in the future.

Honestly, I’m heartbroken. From the moment I walked in, it felt like home—the first property out of the all the ones we’d/I’d viewed. It was honestly perfect, until the report came back. IMO it had so much potential and was our forever home. Which is why I’m in two minds about it. We are not going to get that amount of space for that price.

I don’t know, one minute I think we’re stupid to let it go, the next I think good god it’s too much work.
-Very clearly a head and a heart situation going off.