ᐅ Dissatisfied with new construction due to other options now available
Created on: 27 Sep 2021 12:51
C
Crossy
I was just about to create a second account for this thread, but in the end, I decided against it. I’m not even sure if this thread belongs in the financing section. The purpose of this thread is not to show off; I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, and my dissatisfaction is growing. Maybe some of you have had similar experiences, and I would be interested to know what you did.
I’m unhappy with our house. Not because it has any serious defects. It suits our current life situation, we have enough space, and next spring the garden will finally be finished and look great. Like many others, during the planning and construction phase, we set priorities because of our budget and gave up on some nice extras. Now, nearly 2 years after the financing was completed, our financial situation has changed significantly.
When we arranged the financing, I was just returning to work after my second parental leave, filling in as a temporary replacement during another parental leave. I knew the job was poorly paid (considering the required qualifications), but the overall package worked well, and I was confident I could manage it alongside the children. I always believed I would earn more in the long term and that this was only a transition back to work. Nevertheless, we based our financing on our income at the time because the financial future, even with good prospects, was uncertain. Therefore, we chose a more conservative approach and did not rely on future salary increases or push our budget to the limit.
Now, almost 2 years later, our financial situation looks completely different. I’m still with the same company but no longer in a temporary replacement role—I’m now a department head, and I have increased my working hours to fulfill this leadership position. Meanwhile, my husband has changed employers and was promoted. All in all, our combined income is about $4,000 more per month. And now I am annoyed by all the little things in the house that, in hindsight, wouldn’t have been a problem for us. With an additional $100,000–150,000, our house would be my dream home.
Many things cannot be retrofitted easily or without significant effort. I wish my dissatisfaction would fade over time so I could enjoy our very nice house and our financial freedom, but mentally I am thinking about selling and looking at plots nearby. My husband is bothered by a few things in the house as well but is generally more content and mainly wary of the hassle involved in building a new house.
I’m unhappy with our house. Not because it has any serious defects. It suits our current life situation, we have enough space, and next spring the garden will finally be finished and look great. Like many others, during the planning and construction phase, we set priorities because of our budget and gave up on some nice extras. Now, nearly 2 years after the financing was completed, our financial situation has changed significantly.
When we arranged the financing, I was just returning to work after my second parental leave, filling in as a temporary replacement during another parental leave. I knew the job was poorly paid (considering the required qualifications), but the overall package worked well, and I was confident I could manage it alongside the children. I always believed I would earn more in the long term and that this was only a transition back to work. Nevertheless, we based our financing on our income at the time because the financial future, even with good prospects, was uncertain. Therefore, we chose a more conservative approach and did not rely on future salary increases or push our budget to the limit.
Now, almost 2 years later, our financial situation looks completely different. I’m still with the same company but no longer in a temporary replacement role—I’m now a department head, and I have increased my working hours to fulfill this leadership position. Meanwhile, my husband has changed employers and was promoted. All in all, our combined income is about $4,000 more per month. And now I am annoyed by all the little things in the house that, in hindsight, wouldn’t have been a problem for us. With an additional $100,000–150,000, our house would be my dream home.
Many things cannot be retrofitted easily or without significant effort. I wish my dissatisfaction would fade over time so I could enjoy our very nice house and our financial freedom, but mentally I am thinking about selling and looking at plots nearby. My husband is bothered by a few things in the house as well but is generally more content and mainly wary of the hassle involved in building a new house.
Hausbautraum20 schrieb:
Corner windows, smart home, external blinds, whirlpool bathtub, higher quality kitchen and doors... These are points we also consider (even though we earn significantly less ;-) )
So as I said, I totally understand that!
But after looking at that thread with the 1500sqm (0.37 acre) plot and the mega generous floor plans, I find it a bit strange to still be dissatisfied ;-)
You probably wouldn’t want to swap our 300sqm (0.07 acre) plot and 80sqm (860 sq ft) buildable area, even if we had KNX now... Yes, we do have a great plot, which we also acquired below market value as a family transfer.
I can definitely appreciate what a real stroke of luck this is for us (just as with my job and financial development. I’m not only grateful for the salary increases but also for the increased opportunities to shape my work thanks to the position, the higher expectations, and especially the trust placed in me—as a part-time mom—to enable and trust me with this.)
When it comes to the house, we prioritized size. We originally planned for three children, which so far hasn’t happened. So we “saved” on the fixtures and fittings.
Your 300sqm (0.07 acre) plot is probably in a very good urban (or metropolitan) location. That definitely has other advantages. We live in a district town with fewer than 20,000 residents. For now (with the kids), that works for us.
And according to your theory, only those below average are allowed to be dissatisfied? That would be nice if it were true, but I don’t know if that matches human nature.
SumsumBiene27 Sep 2021 21:18.. I know.. Off topic, but have you talked to the childcare workers or teachers about which children have formed close bonds that you could build on? If you’re in a more urban area, that can already be a challenge by itself. I work in an urban daycare center and am quite surprised by how few playdates happen there. It’s very different from my experience with my daughter and the rural daycare center.
H
Hausbautraum2027 Sep 2021 21:24Crossy schrieb:
So according to your theory, only those who are below average are allowed to be dissatisfied? That would actually be nice if it were true, but I’m not sure if that aligns with human nature. What do you mean by "allowed," but we do try to regularly remind ourselves that these are actually ridiculous luxury problems.
In your situation, there is nothing to prevent you from purchasing another suitable plot of land. You can either build on it again yourselves or keep it as an investment for your children. It’s great to have good land owned by the family.
First, I mostly understood your concerns... people always seem to want more.
But now more and more issues are coming up, which to me seem like just excuses... either you just want to hear from everyone here, "Yes, definitely build new," because it already feels like a done deal. Or maybe these "reasons" have a different background... is something deeper going on?
Many "problems" are common for almost all parents... joining a new group at kindergarten is rarely easy. Keeping up old friendships is harder? Yeah... but you knew that beforehand. In the end, you can’t have it all... some have comparatively more, others less. You definitely belong to those who have more. Luxury problems are still problems, but some of these issues you can fix or deal with later... you will get through the rest. And as someone here said? The most important thing is spending time together, no matter where. Focus on that, and you will be happy in your current house too.
But now more and more issues are coming up, which to me seem like just excuses... either you just want to hear from everyone here, "Yes, definitely build new," because it already feels like a done deal. Or maybe these "reasons" have a different background... is something deeper going on?
Many "problems" are common for almost all parents... joining a new group at kindergarten is rarely easy. Keeping up old friendships is harder? Yeah... but you knew that beforehand. In the end, you can’t have it all... some have comparatively more, others less. You definitely belong to those who have more. Luxury problems are still problems, but some of these issues you can fix or deal with later... you will get through the rest. And as someone here said? The most important thing is spending time together, no matter where. Focus on that, and you will be happy in your current house too.
Warning, here’s another theory: Are you perhaps feeling a bit bored, in the sense of lacking goals and challenges?
After all these years of building a house, having children, and parental leave, maybe a bit of everyday routine has crept in?
Your career found you, not the other way around. A lot of good things have happened—there must be some catch somewhere…?
What comes next?
Do you have hobbies? I don’t just mean reading a book or going to the cinema.
In general, I find this question interesting for everyone: You have largely settled everything under one roof. The kids are doing well, the job, etc., is all okay so far. What happens then? And what do you do with a sudden windfall of money?
After all these years of building a house, having children, and parental leave, maybe a bit of everyday routine has crept in?
Your career found you, not the other way around. A lot of good things have happened—there must be some catch somewhere…?
What comes next?
Do you have hobbies? I don’t just mean reading a book or going to the cinema.
In general, I find this question interesting for everyone: You have largely settled everything under one roof. The kids are doing well, the job, etc., is all okay so far. What happens then? And what do you do with a sudden windfall of money?
guckuck2 schrieb:
In general, I find the question to everyone quite interesting: You have mostly got everything settled— the kids are doing well, the job and everything else is okay. What comes next? And what do you do with a sudden financial windfall?
Maybe start enjoying life...?
Money doesn’t bring happiness, but it definitely provides peace of mind.