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.
[LARGE windows or corner glazing, fireplace, air conditioning, dining room extended by 1m (3 feet 3 inches) to rotate the kitchen island and design it like an “aircraft carrier,” which changes the kitchen layout, possibly an additional small room, KNX instead of FaH, flush doors, and other small details. I think all this together would cost around 100k. The biggest expense would, of course, be the extension. Our house is actually large enough, but this would give us the chance to really design the kitchen nicely. Windows can no longer be easily changed (which I find one of the worst things). The fireplace only works with an external chimney, and the position is not ideal.
Yes, it is 4k net more. Our monthly income is now five figures and was already acceptable before. Plus, we both don’t work full-time (70% and 80%), but not in Germany.]
Then sell the old house and build or have a new one built. If you can afford it, why not? Nowhere does it say a house has to last forever. The only disadvantages are the price and availability. Plots of land nowadays are rarely available.
Yes, it is 4k net more. Our monthly income is now five figures and was already acceptable before. Plus, we both don’t work full-time (70% and 80%), but not in Germany.]
Then sell the old house and build or have a new one built. If you can afford it, why not? Nowhere does it say a house has to last forever. The only disadvantages are the price and availability. Plots of land nowadays are rarely available.
aero2016 schrieb:
Ah, phew, none of that would be essential enough for me personally to invest in a new house. And that’s even though my net monthly income is also in the five figures 😉
I would spend the money on nice trips and pay for my children’s studies later on.I completely agree. You can also invest a lot of money in the garden. For example, a new nice shed and, if possible, install a fireplace there. Or build a pool.
Gudeen. schrieb:
You might want to think about what you can do with the $4,000/month in your life now, besides putting it all into housing. I agree with that.
The luxury you currently have is something very few people in the world experience. You should be aware of that.
By increasing your fixed costs, you also put more pressure on yourselves. Is that really necessary?
Why not invest the saved money in a hobby or vacations?
Or in your children’s future? Or in retirement savings to be able to retire a few years earlier?
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Pinkiponk27 Sep 2021 14:17Crossy schrieb:
...I have read both of your posts and I definitely recommend continuing your search for land and either building a new house or finding an existing one that is closer to your dream home. What convinced me the most were the (too few/too small?) windows. But aside from that, I also wonder why you wouldn’t want to improve your situation if it’s possible for you? From my perspective, that is more effective than making lots of adjustments to the current house. Who knows how it will look in the end and whether you will like it better? I wish you the best of luck with your land search. Please keep us updated.
Are you really more satisfied afterwards?
Everything you write about is luxury and aesthetics.
I would rather invest more money in quality of life. Cleaning help, a teenager mowing the lawn, window cleaning, etc.
Travel, children’s education, and so on.
Eventually, the house warranty expires, and then you replace the flooring because the kids have left marks, and so forth.
Everything you write about is luxury and aesthetics.
I would rather invest more money in quality of life. Cleaning help, a teenager mowing the lawn, window cleaning, etc.
Travel, children’s education, and so on.
Eventually, the house warranty expires, and then you replace the flooring because the kids have left marks, and so forth.