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Lisbet
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Our home selling/buying saga continues. We've got someone 'considering' our house, but they are not planning on making a decision until after the new year. Fine, I understand that. In the mean time we have been looking at houses again.
One is a 1900 farmhouse on 5 acres of decent land, a patch of trees, 2 out buildings, a garage. It's a beautiful old house with 4 beds, 2 baths, and 2200 square feet of living space. (remember we are living in 1500 sq. feet right now!) The only only draw back of this place is that my husband would have to drive 50 minutes one way on the turnpike to get to work. Pretty big drawback, eh?
The second contender is a 1977 ranch house on 3 wooded acres, one outbuilding, attached garage, and 3000 square feet of living space, not including the full basement. Also has 4 bedrooms, could use 2 other rooms as bedrooms too, and 2 full baths. This one would be a 30 minute drive for my husband to work. This one has 2 drawbacks though, one being there are no windows in the kitchen or dining room. The kitchen is open to the family room which has catheral ceiling to floor windows facing all that beautiful woods. The dining room is like a big box. My husband says we could put skylights in and open the kitchen/familyroom up to the dining room. We are both concerned about me lacking sunlight, because it really does get to me after awhile. The second drawback is that I like the 'look' of the first house best. Even though it's smaller and furthe away. 
Any personal insights on either of these? Anything I may not be considering? This is such a big decision, this is the house we want our grandchildren visiting us in. Aye, so much to consider!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Ruth
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Lisa, I'll keep you in my prayers. We just moved from a 1300 sq. ft split foyer a year ago to a 2500 sq. ft. clonial a year ago. I know what it's like having a large family in a small home. We oly have 1/2 an acre, but we have lots of woods in the back with no building plans from the owner.
I definately need light, windows in my living area. I tend to get very down in the evenings and mornings. That's how I figured I need as much light as possible. I don't know if this helps, but I thought I'd give my 2 cents
God bless.
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Martha
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Lisa!
I am really starting to wonder if we were seperated at birth.
I HAVE to have sunlight too. No clinical diagnoses, but years of experience being really unhappy from pre-thanksgiving through mid-January.
However, I'd go for the 2nd house hands-down! Looks come way behind time with dh and living space for me. (and I really think you too!)
Do you have to use the "boxy" dining room as a dining room? Could you use another area to dine in (2nd living area or office room??) and maybe use "the box" for bookcases? Maybe put lots of little lamps in the room to create quiet, little cozy areas for reading without distractions?
I'm so jealous er happy for you to have this choice. I know you have to be delirous and nervous over it after living in a teeny home. 
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Martha
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alicegunther
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As much as I would prefer the charm of the first house, I would choose the 1977 ranch in a heartbeat. As the children get older, they take up even more space, and 3000 square feet would go a long way. Also, chances are, the 1977 house will have fewer maintainence issues down the road. Add to that the reduced commute (almost an hour per day with your dh), and it sounds like a winner.
You can't go wrong though--both options are wonderful!
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Cheryl
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Is it possible to add windows in the dining room and kitchen of the 2nd house?
Does your dh enjoy driving? Would you both be able to accept the extra time he'd be away from the family each day?
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Lisbet
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The second house really makes much more sense for so many reasons. No Cheryl, we probably couldn't handle the extra hour he'd have to be away just for driving. Even 30 minuts is going to be a big change from the 10 he drives now.
We couldn't add windows because those two rooms are in the center of the house. (the house is shaped like a + with the kitchen and dining room in the middle of it. But, dh thinks we could open the kitchen and dining room up to the family room, which is nearly all windows. Plus the space would be hard to pass up. We don't even own enough furniture right now to fill all those rooms. It's a rare thing to find one so big on a great lot in our price range.
Martha, I like you idea of making the dining room more of a reading nook. We'll have to think on that one. I've never had a clinical diagnosis either, but lack of natural light really drains me big time. I get to feeling like a zombie about the middle of January. Dh thinks skylights would be the way to to in the kitchen. The roof needs replaced anyway, so might as well throw a few skylights up there!
We are starting another novena to St. Joseph tonight. Thanks for the input!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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doris
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2nd one gets my vote! Length of the commute is a big issue, plus space. Looks you can fix over time.
We've recently moved, to an ugly house! We don't mind though, because dh can cycle to work, we've got a big garden (by London standards) and there are options to do things to improve the house as time and money permit. Think of potential!
Elizabeth
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Cay Gibson
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Lisa,
If it helps any, my house has a line of windows across the front of the kitchen. Since Hurricane Rita and loosing a lot of our trees in the front yard, the evening sun setting in the west comes through those windows and blinds everybody.  It also cooks the kitchen in the summertime. 
While I completely, totally understand what you're saying about "no" windows, there are benefits to not having a linedrive view of the setting sun.
I think Martha's idea of a reading nook with lots of lamps and surrounded by coziness is a delightful project!  And skylights!!! Lovely!
I vote for door #2---less commute and more room! 
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Angel
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Another issue is lead paint. You'd have to deal with that in the house built in 1900. It would mean keeping a really sharp lookout for peeling paint, etc., and if you ever wanted to renovate it would complicate things.
--Angela
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Cici
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My vote is for the 2nd, too. Another issue with the 1900 farmhouse - heating. From someone who has lived in a 1914 house (which was "shot" with insulation but was still verrrrrry cold in the winter), and in a 1942 house, to a house built in 1977 - the '77 house we live in is so much less drafty. We can actually get warm in this house without breaking the bank on the heating bill.
Now, I'd pass up the "charm" of a century home any day (though the acreage would get me on this debate )
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Rebecca
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I vote for number two as well.
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Maddie
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I'll be the lone dissenting voice. I vote in favor of the farmhouse. I love the atmosphere of a farmhouse and the history held between the walls. I love the nooks and crannies, the odd shaped rooms, etc... But I can appreciate the concerns over lead and heating. Our Victorian farmhouse was restored before we bought it so lead wasn't an issue for us. We heat with wood which has cost us a mere $300 this year and we still have plenty of wood for the winter. Wood heat is so cozy. But if dust and ash bug you, it's not for you. I admit, keeping up with the dust and ash can be frustrating.
I'm sure the perfect house for your family is out there which ever one you choose. If your praying to St. Joseph, you can't go wrong.
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mary theresa
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I agree with Maddie! Old houses are so amazingly charming to me and I would love the land! I'd rather have more room outside than in.
But, as far as #2 goes, have you ever heard of full-spectrum light bulbs? You could maybe get those for the dining room. They're expensive but they are great for helping you get the equivalent of sunlight during the winter months. I would use them all over my whole house if I could afford it.
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Erin
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Lisbet
We have put in skylights in our old home (yes we are in our new one, will write soon and tell all) and it amazed us just how much light they let in.
I do like the look of things myself and can understand that you like the look of things with the farmhouse. However my dh travels 45 min now and I sure wish it was shorter, you are going to notice the difference although you do adjust.
As mentioned already the extra space will be filled quickly by bigger bodies and God willing more children you will be surprised at how quickly you adjust and how quickly you fill the house with 'stuff'
There are probably all sorts of ways of letting in the extra light (my dh also suffers when he doesn't get enough light) do you know anyone who knows someone  who is an architect? They would have some innovative ideas.
Praying the people make an offer
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Servant2theKing
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One more dissenting voice...sometimes when your first and second choice have drawbacks, there's another (better) option out there that you haven't even found yet! Perhaps the sticking points on the ones you've found thus far are causing you to refrain until God leads you to an even better choice for your family. May the Lord, and St. Joseph, guide your decision!
We went through the house buying/selling two years ago and the choices we thought were good options in the beginning weren't even close to the small ranch on 20 acres that we ended up with! The process of looking/selling/buying took almost two years from start to finish. In hindsight, I can't believe how God guided us in the direction we ended up going! Praying the Lord blesses your family with a home that is perfectly suited to your needs!
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Martha
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Servant -
Yes, that is true too.
When it just doesn't "feel right" and you can't blame it on simply nerves - walk away.
My dh and I took 2 years to find this house (which is by no means nearly as grand as what Lisa is describes above!).
We've been slowly getting a little more desperate for something bigger/better for the last 2 years. Several houses have miraculously been found, but not as miraculously worked out. All for the better for us. So we wait and and wait and look and look and pray and pray and stress out.....
I sure do hope you find what you need and it works out Lisa! If for not other reason than it will give me hope of doing the same!
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Martha
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Cheryl
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I agree with Servant. Unless you have a time constraint, there are probably many more than 2 choices for a home for your family. If you can wait, you may find a home that's close enough to perfect for you. (Sorry. I got that line from an old country song. )
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Cheryl
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Martha
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Huh? Cheryl and Servant,
Maybe I misunderstood....
If this is not the house that God is leading them to, that is far different from not wanting to shop around.
I can assure you that houses which can practicly accomodate a very large family on a very small budget are few and far between! We've been looking for years. Many in our price range are border-line unlivable. Not talking needs new paint here either. I mean there literally is a holey roof and needs mold remediation! When we find what we need in our price range, it is almost always snapped up the same day it goes on the market by an investor paying cash and then flipping it for a much higher profit. 
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Martha
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Lisbet
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Well, we actually do have time to look some more if we wish, since we are not capable of doing a thing until we get a bite on the house we are in now.
BUT, the thing about the second house I described is like Martha said, it's HUGE, the layout suits the needs of a large, busy family, it's in a great area, lovely lot, minimal works needs to be done. (could use some paint, and the roof needs replaced eventually) While we've been looking, we kept saying that no house is built to accomodate a family of 10, hopefully more. This is the only house we've been able to easily see raising 12 or more children in. And it's in our price range to boot! (admitedly on the higher end, but still!)
It's all in God's hands, all we can do is depend on him to light the way for us, whatever that may be!
Thanks for all the input, you all had some really great points to consider.
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Lisbet
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It occured to me ( ) that the full address were on those links, so, I'm taking them down. Hopefully soon enough I can post my own pics of whichever we choose!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: House Questions
