Sink all your savings into a wonderful house and live in it?

[NotAllThere]

Follow your dreams.

When I was young all I ever wanted was an Escort XR3i.

Now I not only own one - I live in one.

Very good. I remember my dreams...

[d000hg]

The difference between owning a house and other investments is that if it all goes horribly wrong, you still own the house. Mortgages notwithstanding...

It's nice seeing a healthy share portfolio, but you've got to spend it some time.

Yeah that's kind of coming from. I'm not naive enough to think that "safe as houses" is a given but there is some wisdom there. I don't know how the FTSE compares with the HPI over the last century(?) but I certainly get zero enjoyment from my ISA other than some peace of mind. Although, in an emergency I can cash in the ISA, you can't just sell your house overnight (but you probably can get cash against it somehow).

Totally this. When I saw ours on Right Move I initially thought it was too much so could have passed but my other was also intrigued. We went a look and that's it we were hooked as d000hg mentions but it really focusses the mind. Kicked us in to action to have a really good look at finances and make big decisions and we made it work. No chance I would have paid this much on the pictures on rightmove.

That is very much the story of our current house. Coming into a double inheritance (my grandfather died and passed his to my parents, who were both dead 3 years later) we looked at houses ~double what we were living in. Getting to visit the RightMove porn properties as genuine buyers. The one we bought was more than our budget and we only went because it sounded interesting. Our first visit was 2 hours there was so much to see.

So yes, definitely, go view it. Three things will happen, it will not be for you for some reason so decision made, it will be nice but not quite what you thought so decision made again or you'll absolutely love it and it will drive you to go look hard at the situation. People are much more driven to achieve stuff when the carrot is there.

You'll regret not seeing it if it turns out you could make it work. Nearly happened to me so get in and have a look. One piece of advice though is try and temper yourself and don't get drawn in. Look at it practically to make sure it's perfect, don't just coo about how nice it is. Check if kitchen works, living space is right yadda yadda. Keep it practical if possible. There are 1000's of houses that look absolutely gorgeous but when you get your tickbox of what you desire they start falling by the wayside.

Tell us how you get on.

I went to have a look today. It is ridiculously OTT and lovely. Hmm.

[WTFH]

I went to have a look today. It is ridiculously OTT and lovely. Hmm.

One word of warning - if it’s an old house (i.e. mid 1800s or earlier), no matter what, it will cost a fortune to heat, and you’ll always be fixing/repairing some part of it.

[d000hg]

One word of warning - if it’s an old house (i.e. mid 1800s or earlier), no matter what, it will cost a fortune to heat, and you’ll always be fixing/repairing some part of it.

I live currently in an 1860 solid brick detached house with single glazing So yes I know you are very correct! I actually think their EPC is one notch better than ours though I'm not sure how. The walls are something like 3 feet thick, maybe that helps!

[MarillionFan]

I personally would go for it. I procrastinated for ages and moved into a halfway house. It's not a small house, but it's not the type of house I would like to live in. I wanted a farm / countryside. Now circumstances have changed. I dont have the money I had. I cannot prove income & feel trapped. I should have just gone for it when I could have

Go for it!

[vetran]

We know a song about that