I actually don't think you sound like a spoiled brat. I think you know that most people would respond differently, realize what the loss of thousands of dollars means, and that's why you are pausing and asking, "Is this crazy? WWYD?" What I didn't go into in my original response was that I am not happy in my current house either though I do view it as my home. I think everyone IRL knows we are ready for a change, and they are just waiting to hear that our TH is on the market. I go through phases where I push DH to put it on the market. He agrees that its time for a new house, but ultimately he's not on board. We'd lose money, he might want to relocate for a job & doesn't want to move twice, etc. so I wait because he has valid points. It is hard putting money into something I know we'd leave in a heartbeat if the stars aligned, but we do it to keep ourselves somewhat content with our environment and the house ready to sell. We have outgrown this space. I'm tired of the layout (3 stories!). I wish we had a yard, etc. It's very hard being ready for the change and having to wait an indefinite period of time. It sounds like you are thinking it through and have made solid decisions-you will sort out the IF then focus on the house with hopes that will be sometime in the spring. Good luck.
Sounds like you have come to an agreement on moving forward and trying to sell in the spring/summer. Maybe this experience, like a bad relationship, will help you be a better house shopper the next time around and you will find a better fit. An expensive mistake for sure, but at least you'll cut your loses before sinking more money into it while still being unhappy.
Have you made a list and actually pinpointed what doesn't make you happy about the house? I know you say that it just doesn't feel like home, but there has to be something that causes that feeling. I'm not suggesting this so that you have a list of things that you should fix either, I'm looking at this more as one of two things: 1) you fell in love with another house and lost that one, this house is the first place loser / best of the worst, and you can't shake the "What could've been" 2) you need to know what to stay away from if you do choose to sell / buy.
Is part of the house resentment that you may have purchased above your means and that continuing to live there means that you have to work FT longer than you had dreamed?
I bought a house and immediately regretted it due to the location. We stayed for five years until we could rent it out (we are renting it at a loss, but it's only now that we could afford to absorb that loss). These are things I think will help you at least resonably tolerate your home until it makes more sense to sell: --DECORATE. An undecorated house will never, ever feel like home. As much as I deeply regretted our house purchase, once I made the house reflect us, I at least loved parts of our home. Also, a nicely decorated house will help it sell faster if that is the path you ultimately choose. --Host get-togethers. Once your house starts filling up with memories, you will grow more attached to it. --Think of what $60,000 could buy. If you invested that into your child's college account right now rather than bringing it to the table when you sell, it will grow enough that her entire college will probably be funded.
I agree with the others that you really haven't given your house a chance to be a home. How can it be a home with builder grade paint and no decor? You may as well live in a prison cell. Take some time to browse magazines and Pinterest for inspiration. Pick out a color palette that you like. Paint. Shop for some inexpensive artwork, area rugs and toss pillows. Create a little warmth and texture in each room and I'll bet you anything it will start to feel more like home. Very few homes are perfect, and it seems like you are expecting your home to be exactly what you've always and could possibly ever want. But that isn't realistic. You've described it as a beautiful house on a nice lot, so surely there has to be something you can love about it. Try to stop looking for excuses to hate your house and start looking for reasons to like it.
And as far as your street being too wide goes, that's a FWP if I've ever heard one.
I agree with the others that you really haven't given your house a chance to be a home. How can it be a home with builder grade paint and no decor? You may as well live in a prison cell. Take some time to browse magazines and Pinterest for inspiration. Pick out a color palette that you like. Paint. Shop for some inexpensive artwork, area rugs and toss pillows. Create a little warmth and texture in each room and I'll bet you anything it will start to feel more like home. Very few homes are perfect, and it seems like you are expecting your home to be exactly what you've always and could possibly ever want. But that isn't realistic. You've described it as a beautiful house on a nice lot, so surely there has to be something you can love about it. Try to stop looking for excuses to hate your house and start looking for reasons to like it.
And as far as your street being too wide goes, that's a FWP if I've ever heard one.
I don't necessarily disagree with you, but on the other hand, even if stuff like paint is cheap, it is not free and it is a lot of work. If you know for sure you are going to move, why bother?
I am crabby about this topic, thgh, because we are in the me position as the OP. we love our house but hate the neighborhood, and are looking to move as soon as we can justify it financially. We knew it wasnt our first choice neighborhood but ends up we hate it a lot. So I don't want to put anything into the house that we won't see back when we sell. I am painting some, but not as much as if I were staying. We are hanging artwork minimally, acquiring furniture minimally (since next house will be smaller probably) etc.
At this point you need to do what makes you happiest and works for your family. If you're willing to move and you think you can find everything you want in your next house by all means. We all gave you valid reasons, insight and sound advice on what to do and you don't agree/like any of it. Which is fine. All the same it means it's probably time to move on.
That said, and I know this sounds harsh, but I can make myself love a lot for 60K. But you're not me, kwim?
I would recommend hiring an interior designer who charges by the hour to come and look at your house with you to give advice on how to make it "feel like home" for you. (In my area the fee is 75-100 per hour and you can accomplish ALOT in that time. I am a decorating dummie and the advice on color, furniture & art placement as well as recommendations for future furniture purchases were sooooo worth it.
Will you need to bring $ to the table at closing?
What are your plans with future children - work, SAH?
Sounds like possibly you bought too much house for your income. Decide if you are financing on one income or two and keep housing costs - (Mortgage+PMI+taxes+utilities+HOA+insurance) to 25-28% of TAKEHOME pay or 30-35% if you live in a HCOL area.
Color does wonders to make a house feel warm and cozy.
Decorate - then wait another year to see if you will be parents or not and decide on your house then.