SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

Here's my current situation: I live in a house that my WXH and my family built. It's a high maintenance log home, in the middle of a huge field. I spend a lot of time maintaining the home and cutting grass in the summer. It has a long driveway that is frequently not passable in the winter.

It's a really nice little house, and I have a lot of equity built up in it. But, it reeks of my WXH. Just reminds me of him.

So, I founds a house that is 3.5 miles from work. I'm currently 35 miles away. It is a 150 year old Victorian that needs a ton of work. It has 6 acres in the middle of a local city. It would have city water and sewage- I currently have neither.

This house is so cool- it oozes character.

If I were to purchase it, I have enough equity to do the renovations AND be mortgage free. However, it is huge. Way more house than I need. There is enough room for a fenced in yard (gotta be concerned about the corgis!)

I am handy, as is my family. I could totally do this, have a gorgeous one of a kind house, and live in a town that is away from WXH and his drama. I have a ton of friends in that town also, and I have committed to this job for at least 5 more years.

Am I totally crazy? What am I missing here?

Do it!!! I have a 120 year old Victorian and it is so amazing. Every single day I feel so lucky to have this house.

I am also 3 miles from work. Dropping your commute will add almost 5 hours per week to your life. That's 250 hours per year!

Mine is way more house than I need as well. Who cares? Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!!

OMG. I'm so envious It sounds like a win-win.

I think it sounds great. Look before you leap...get a very thorough inspection.

Scary to contemplate. But it would be so nice to start fresh and have a project.

Since I've cut back on datin, my mind has been wandering- I'm bored.....

GO.FOR.IT!!!!!!

WM, it sounds perfect for you in every way.

Big enough to have a roommate to help with a little income? Just an idea.

I recently sold my big marital home and moved into an 1861 Village Colonial. I took this risk only because the heating, plumbing and electrical had been updated.

You are not crazy but be very clear about what this house needs before you make an offer.

If it is not in disrepair then I say Go For It!

A new house project always keeps me occupied. If you can afford it…go for it!!

Oh, it's in disrepair, for sure. However, my little bucket of equity will be enough to renovate the way that this house should be done.

One of my friends went with me- she is as enamored as I am.

Do it. And please PLEASE blog about the house and all the renovations with lots of pictures.

I'm all about old house reno porn.

Do it!!!!!

Sometimes things come along that actually don't have a catch. This sounds like one of them.

How would you feel if you drove past the house tomorrow and the sign said SOLD. Devastated?

If your answer is yes, then go for it!!

That is one of my dreams. I hope you go for it and share lots of pictures!

Is renovating a house something that you will feel "passion" for?

If the answer is yes and IF you feel like you can live in a "half baked" house

And IF you feel like you have the resources to do this (as opposed to being "house poor")

Then do it.

If the answer to any of these questions is No then I personally would not do it.

Regardless, getting out of the marital home, I think, would be a good thing. I say "I think" because I have been stuck in the marital home. I cannot WAIT for DD to graduation HS (in 2015) so I can sell the fucking thing. I hate it and I trigger here. When I sell this house I don't think I will consider a fixer upper because the answer to all 3 questions is a resounding "no"

If it is right for you then do it. Just realistically consider all of the issues involved.

I'm an old house person myself (87 yr. old bungalow), so my first response would be to go for it. However, I would strongly agree that not only do you need a home inspector, but one who is experienced at inspecting OLD houses - many inspectors are not! Mine was inspected twice before I bought it, and I still just spent a boatload of money to correct old cast iron plumbing connections and re-support the main beam. But, I love the old gal! BTW, if you do buy the house, PM me and I'll send you a link to an amazing web forum for ALL old house lovers, some of whom are nationally known for their restoration work. Good luck on your purchase!

OMG, can I squee over a house for you!?

Sounds fantastic!!

Pics?

Way more house than I need.

Ask to see the utility bills before you buy.

Look, it's a buyers market. A new house may be just what you need. But is it this house?

Why not put your log home on the market and take a day or three for your rational brain to think about "a 150 year old Victorian that needs a ton of work."

Go for it!!! You could find a renter for that extra space or AirBnB it.

You can totally be careful about energy use once there--as in meticulously careful!--and can have room to host us SIers plus you will save on gas costs from car commuting.