You can't change the location, if that is why you are picking at smaller things.

Just out f curiosity, what development? We are looking too and I need ideas - your post made me think this was more reasonably priced than other options?

Thanks for the good insight. You are right I have reservations about the location, though I liked the house. However, now feel I am having to make too many comprises and getting frustrated. My DH have spent so long looking for a house but this is the only one that meets all my DH's criteria (at least 2000 sq ft above ground), 4 bedrooms, etc. that is within our price range. If I break the contract, worry that we will spend another two years looking.

re the VOC paint - are you kidding?

everything in the new build is going to be off-gassing.

the windows, flooring, carpet.

Anonymous wrote:Once you move into the house do you forget about these small things or will they bother me. Thanks!

From your post, I think that they will bother you.

It's been my experience that once you move into a house, the small things that bother you bother you even more.

I agree don't worry about the low-VOC paint. That is a non-issue because you aren't doing the painting and the VOC dissipate quickly.

What you'd have more reason to be concerned about is any new mattress, or carpet that is off-gassing. That doesn't dissipate quickly (unlike the VOC paint).

Back to main topic. I had a totally different experience. Small old house with many things wrong with it, cosmetic and otherwise. Things you wouldn't believe, and certainly won't have to deal with in a new house.

Have been totally happy with it despite numerous hassles, due to getting an excellent price at the time and prime location. If the price or location hadn't been as good, I am certain the repair bills/hassles/cosmetic and practical concerns would have bothered me more than they did.

VOC paint? If you are not living there yet, why would this matter? VOCs dissipate pretty quickly...if you are not around while the paint is drying (or doing the painting yourself), don't worry about it!

Once you move into the house do you forget about these small things or will they bother me. Thanks!

From your post, I think that they will bother you.

Anonymous wrote:I think the real problem here is that your husband loves the house and you don't. You don't like the area. So you are looking for small things to quibble over when the real problem is that you guys disagree on what you like/want/should buy.

There's not a lot of inventory right now, but that should pick up in the spring. If you are not happy with this house, don't buy it. Rent for awhile and keep looking.

+1

I agree with pp. I did this type of stuff while we were house-hunting, and in hindsight, I realize that I would come up with these types of complications because I didn't really want the house.

Ex: otherwise perfect house that doesn't have a "living room" but has a "study" instead. I just didn't like the house that much, but I made a big deal that there was one less room (that I never use) on the 1st level, and my dh was like wtf?

I think the real problem here is that your husband loves the house and you don't. You don't like the area. So you are looking for small things to quibble over when the real problem is that you guys disagree on what you like/want/should buy.

There's not a lot of inventory right now, but that should pick up in the spring. If you are not happy with this house, don't buy it. Rent for awhile and keep looking.

Sounds like very minor stuff you're asking for that's not worth losing a house over. Who cares if it's low VOC paint? Seriously? You can paint your own cabinets and change the pulls yourself later for a few hundred dollars. This is worth canceling over? Really?

Need some help with making this decision. We bought a house in a new development (phase 1). I don't love the area but it is very convenient to work,school,etc. I like the layout of the house and the exterior but I don't like a lot of the choices the builder is offering. In hindsight, I should have researched all the options before signing the contract but I just didn't think about it. The builder has refused to consider some of my upgrades (upgrade to plywood base and dovetail draws on kitchen cabinets, mixing colored cabinets, low VOC paint) I understand why some requests were refused(but, hey, it was worth a try) but some I think are reasonable. I might add that the customer service has been awful all round. It seems pretty easy to get different draws and to upgrade materials. The builder has offered to cancel the contract. Great option if my husband didn't love this house and if we could find something else to buy (this market is horrible). Anybody been in a similar situation? Once you move into the house do you forget about these small things or will they bother me. Thanks!