I have a house dilemma.

[sherbanator]

My house feels too big for just my daughter and I. It's about 2700 sq ft and a lot of work. It is still being renovated so there is a lot to do.

I'm trying to decide whether I should sell my house and downsize or just stay in the house and be annoyed with the upkeep.

I don't really want to sell but it might just be an emotional thing. In 10 years it will be paid off and that sounds very appealing to me. Plus, when the reno is done it will feel great to come home to this house.

The downside is all the space that is not being used makes me feel wasteful. Plus, all the extra time It takes to make sure it is clean, lol.

What to do, what to do. Any thoughts?

[thinkofthesoldiers]

What made you buy it to begin with?

[sherbanator]

Also, does anyone want to come over to my house for a painting party?

[nsl]

Most days I feel like our 2300 square foot house is too big (and too much of a PITA to clean) for a family of four. I'd want to downsize, but can see the reasons why you'd want to stay as well.

Do you see yourself having more children? That would be a major factor for me in deciding whether or not to keep a home that big.

[janiejones]

If you downsize, could you not also be near paying of a smaller house in reasonably the same amount of time or less?

[sherbanator]

May 19, 2014 19:56:19 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

What made you buy it to begin with?

It was a decision my husband and I made together. I thought at the time that we were going to be together in the house. Also, the fact that he is very handy and could do most of the stuff himself played into the decision. Unfortunately, he is not interested in that life anymore.

[sherbanator]

May 19, 2014 20:00:34 GMT -5 janiejones said:

If you downsize, could you not also be near paying of a smaller house in reasonably the same amount of time or less?

We bought in a time when the market was down and it was a foreclosure. If I sell the house and downsize I will still be paying about the same amount for a smaller place because I would move closer to the city, too. I think that will be a wash.

[eb777888]

I guess it's personal preference. That is wayyy too much house for me and our family of 3.

[janiejones]

It sounds like a lot of house. I mean, my home is about 1/3 that size.

Moving closer to the city would your quality of life increase? What is that worth to you?

[shoeless]

Moving closer to the city sold me... but will :the move: be taking DD out of her current school district?

[sherbanator]

No more kids. I know I'm bitter right now but I don't even see really even being in a serious relationship for at least a decade, lol.

[sherbanator]

mofongo I am liking the thought of turning am extra room into a closet, lol.

[jenna]

What about a home office space? craft room?

What about a playroom for your daughter?

I'd love to have a jigsaw puzzle room/library. We are going to create that space once E is finished using the room as part of his playroom.

ETA:  Though I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to sell. If it were just E and I, I would probably get a smaller place.

I would also factor in the school districts  when deciding whether to move or not.

[peachykate]

May 19, 2014 19:57:10 GMT -5 sherbanator said:

Also, does anyone want to come over to my house for a painting party?

I'd be there, you know, if we all lived somewhat close to each other.

I have no idea what I would do. I don't think it's too much space but if there are still things to be fixed and you aren't handy I'd probably move.

[livinitup]

How old is your daughter ?

I didn't use a lot of my house until I converted my dining room (never furnished) and living room into her play room. I love not having toys in my family room. And we have a great kid space. She's 6 - she's had this space for about 2 years. I love entering it and being all about learning and kid-ready play.

Plus, our school district is great. The city, is spotty.

How's your school district?

[sherbanator]

peachykate

Do you know who I am? (Lol)

I've changed my name so I'm not sure. I'll give you a clue just in case- Pat's Pizza.

[peachykate]

May 19, 2014 20:36:32 GMT -5 sherbanator said:

peachykate

Do you know who I am? (Lol)

I've changed my name so I'm not sure. I'll give you a clue just in case- Pat's Pizza.

Lol, of course! I'm the worst cell phone typer ever. I wouldn't offer my help to just anyone.

I'm sorry things didn't work out with your H.

[aprilsails]

I think that would be too much house for me personally. Also, if it is a wash, I would prefer to live closer to the city centre. There's a lot of thought that goes into these kinds of decisions, but 2700 sq ft just seems like a crazy amount, and I prefer to live minimally as much as possible.

[jellymankelly]

I am in the process of trying to sell and move from my 2700sf (very old) house because it's too much for just the kids and me. My XH and I bought it together, but I've lived here for the past 2.5 years alone with the kids, and it's just at the point where I don't have the patience for crap breaking anymore. I came home the other day to water pouring out of the faucet (which was turned off, yet still somehow running at full blast) and said, "THAT'S IT!" I had said recently that the next thing that needed to be fixed in this house was going to be the last straw, and it was. I want something smaller and newer. So, I'd move.

[sherbanator]

jellymankelly

That is my biggest fear.

[pantsparty]

We have 3,200 SF. It sounds ridiculous, but we work from home and each have an office. We also have a permanent guest room. With our master, that only leaves one extra bedroom, which is currently dubbed "the room of lost objects." LOL. It suits us fine, but it sounds like you have a lot of equity, and maybe it makes sense to sell it and buy another house, which you may be able to buy in full without a mortgage?

What is the extent of your renovations? I would definitely be hesitant to sell after renovation, having just put all that work in.

[sherbanator]

I want @snarkshark to come over and then tell me her unbiased opinion, lol.

[whattheheck]

How much property do you have? For me, I can handle the house. It's the property that is killing me.

[themoneytree]

This is us only our house is almost twice the size. It's a lot to clean that's for sure!
We toss around the idea of moving but it seems like all the houses here are either gigantic or tiny with not much in between and our neighborhood and school system are amazing. It's a tough call.
2700 sqft sounds pretty perfect to me so I'd probably repurpose rooms to fit exactly what you want and see how you feel.

Do you think it's the fact that you bought this house with your H and it's a difficult memory for you? Or is it really the size that's the problem?

[candreco]

This thread has me thinking about what I want to do with the kids' bedrooms when they move out in 15-18 years, lol. Closet room! Library! Real guest room!

[sherbanator]

May 20, 2014 6:36:31 GMT -5 whattheheck said:

How much property do you have? For me, I can handle the house. It's the property that is killing me.

Not a lot, about a third of an acre.   I have been mowing it but I'm not good a we'd eating and making it look polished.   I was actually going to talk to the lawn service that does the neighbors yard to see how much out would cost for them to do my front yard. 

[mrsukyankee]

There are two of us in a 1300 sq ft house and it feel quite large to me. I can't even imagine taking care of anything larger.

[bcv513]

I grew up with a family of four in about 1400 sqft. H and I currently have 1100 for the two of us. I can't imagine having to clean something twice the size of my parents' house. We were in tight quarters when we were little, but now that it's just my parents they love it. My old bedroom is a gift wrapping room. lol

[Deleted]

That would definitely be too much house for me and having to deal with repairs would give me anxiety. So I'd personally definitely move.