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A smaller house isn't a bad thing. Congrats for sticking to your budget! Thats really hard to do when house hunting. But especially if you are thinking about having a family, you don't want to push the budget.
You could look at a small house 1 of 2 ways I think. 1) Its in your budget, would fit you guys and a small baby comfortably. 2) You would try to squeeze a family into the small house or add on later.
I think the biggest issue I would see is the fact that its only a 1 bath. Houses with 1 bath are really hard for resale. If you have a baby and then want to move that can be tough. Only have 1 bath with a baby isn't so bad, but sharing your bathroom with a small child can be tough. You and your husband loose a lot of privacy.
However, if you look at the floorplan you may be able to see where you can fit another bathroom (even if its a half bath with just a sink and toilet).
If you can post the MLS number, I would love to look at it online!
When we bought our house we didn't go for the "completely updated" thing. We knew over time we could add hardwood floors, granite, etc. We bought because we love our location (close to town, quiet neighborhood, good schools) and the house has a good structure (we can change a lot over time).
Best Wishes!
Of course it can vary a bit based on the individual market you're in, but personally I don't think 1 bath for a 2 bedroom would be that bad for resale... If it were a 3 or 4 bedroom with only one bath, that would be one thing. But 2 bedroom homes are usually going to be bought by singles, young couples, or retirees. Most families with kids are going to go for 3+ bedrooms, and then of course they would want 2 or more baths.
I'm a real estate agent, and if you were my client I'd hope you would go for it. :) It isn't every day that you find a home you LOVE that will fit your needs (at least for the next few years) and is in your price range.
My fiance and I currently live in a 3 bedroom/1 bath townhome with his 4 year old daughter. Yes, there are times when I wish we had a second bathroom, but it's not something we need, you know? I really love our house and it's perfect for us at this point in our lives!
I think it really depends upon the area regarding the resale value. If you live in a place where the homes are all a bit older and smaller, it wouldn't be shocking to have only one bath. Having two really wasn't common until the 70's in smaller homes. Growing up we always rented, and only once in my 18 years at home did we live in a place that had more than one bath. Then once we were out of the house, my parents ended up buying a 60's era 3 bedroom, one bath rambler. People can (and do) get by.
The ONLY thing I will caution you on is this: REALLY think about how long it will take you guys to outgrow that place. As the others have mentioned you can comfortably live in a 2 bedroom with a baby or young child, but are you going to want to upgrade once baby no. 2 is in the works? Is that going to be in 3 - 5 - or more years? Right now the market isn't allowing many people to sell and upgrade in short time periods (i.e. the 3-5 years) so how will it affect you if you are unable to get out of that house before then?
These are things to THINK about, not to get hung up on. The most important thing is to buy what you can afford and be comfortable with your payment, in an area you love to live in. Best of luck!
I say go for it! You are sticking to your budget and its something you love! As for re-sale on a 1 bath I agree with the PP its all on where you are and who is looking to buy the house.
And you can always sell the house in a few years if you guys have kids & need something bigger right now is a great time to buy!
If you get the house make sure you go with an home inspector that works for himself or a VERY SMALL company! My 1st house I had a guy who worked for himself and he was AMAZING he check everything down to ever drawer in the house to make sure it worked! And he was pretty cheap. On house #2 I had already had my stuff packed up and couldnt find his name so i went with who the broker suggested he was HORRIBLE! and 4 times as much as my 1st inspector! He works for a big company and every section of my report said to contact the right professional for each area. and that my deck needed to be stained and outlets needed covers (DUH!) Once we moved in we found the gas on the stove leaked, the roof leaked, the circulators on the furnace didnt work, the pipes on the fridge & dishwasher were busted and so much more stuff i cant even remember. Luckly FH's dad is a contractor and my dad built his own house so we didnt need to hire anyone.
I think it depends on how quickly you want to start a family, and how long you'd like to live in the house before you have to worry about selling it. My husband and I were looking for a house with three bedrooms in close proximity to each other, but ultimately decided that a house with two bedrooms upstairs and a third in the basement will work for us (and 1 or 2 kids) for probably close to 10 years before we have to decide if we want an addition or a new house.
There are always trade offs, and if you love this house and think it will be a great place for you for the next five years at least, I'd say go for it! But if you're thinking you may want to move on in two years, it's not worth the money because it's hard to recoup your closing costs in that short of a time.
From what you are saying, it sounds like a good fit for you and you like the house. It's true, houses with 2 bathrooms are more lucrative, but not impossible. I would look at the land around the house, in case you aren't able to sell and decide to add on.
That's what DH and I are doing. It sounds like we are very similar. We love the added 4 season sun room and deck, with frenchdoors. It's a 2 bed and 1 bath. We've already been thinking about possible additions to the home, to add a second bath, 3rd bed and to enlarge the kitchen at some point.
It sounds good for you and I wouldn't second guess.
Thank you everyone for your advice!! I didnt realize what a huge stress house hunting would be. It seems like everytime I think about it, I come up with something different to consider.
We probably wont have kids for another 4-5 years, probably closer to 5 unless of course we get a surprise! So we wouldnt need to necessarily move any time in the near future. I think the reason we are having such a hard time adjusting to the smaller home idea is because it seems like where we have lived before (renting) was 3b2d/2bath/2car garage and gorgeous. Its not like we lived in a little apartment, so in some aspects, buying a house will be downgrading because we cant afford to buy the things we have rented in the past. But we know ultimately its worth it to own a home and have that pride of ownership. And I cant wait to actually officially make something 'ours.'
As far as school districts, we are lucky there because FI is a teacher and works in a great district, so no matter where we live in the county, our kids can go to his school district :) and I work in law enforcement, so luckily I know what neighborhoods to steer clear of.
Its just so much to consider! I must have been on a crazy train when I decided to plan a wedding and look for a house all at the same time!
I guess when I originally set out house hunting I thought we would pick something that would be a more long term house....like 7-10+ years. But we really dont want to have to do updates ourselves, neither of us are handy, and I'm completely uncreative. I do know we need something move in ready.
Anyway I guess I am done rambling lol. Thanks again bees!! Such tough decisions coming up!
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Sorry this is a dup post, accidentally posted it in the lounge and dont know how to delete it. So here it is-- thanks in advance for the help bees I'm really starting to stress!
My FI and I have been house hunting for a few months. Originally we had big, glorious dreams of wonderful houses.... and the more we crunch numbers we begin to realize maybe we have caviar dreams on moonpie pockets (or however the saying goes!! lol) It doesnt help that we have had some personal family issues come up that have affecting our finances. So anyway.... the help I need is this.... I think we may have found (deep breath) the house we want to buy. EEKK. I feel like such a grown up!! Its 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1 car garage, completely updated, and my favorite part is the brand new french doors that open up to the screened in porch and big fenced in back yard. Now for the complaint, we were originally looking at 3bed/2bath or 2bed/2bath houses, just for the purpose of starting a family in the future. But if this is in our price range and we love it, should we second guess?? It seems like a great starter home, just not quite what we set out for in the beginning. Opinions please. Thanks Bees!!