We did BUT we knew when we did what we were getting into and that it would take time to fix what needed fixing.
I saw the potential in the house DH saw the work. We keep each other balanced.

I'd overlook all except location. Depending on what you mean about location - that's the only one that would be a deal breakfer for me.

Kitchens and bathrooms are relatively easy to fix. Locations you're stuck with.

Location I couldn't overlook everything else in a dream house I could overlook.

A couple of years ago I looked at a Victorian Romanesque Revival south of Pittsburg.

Over 7,000 square feet.

I would have had to have put GPS tags on the dogs!

I could have used a different bedroom/bathroom every day of the week!

Ah well, I didn't get it. Missed out by a few hours.

If we had the money, the only thing I would NOT overlook is the location. Good neighbors are everything--and if they're obnoxious it's not worth any dream home. Not to mention if there are places nearby where "offroaders" think they can have their way any time of day/month/year.

As you can tell I've had issues where we live now. Luckily the disgusting obnoxious neighbors moved out (although they still visit their family right across the street from their old house). We still have other weirdos though.

I live in my forever house - someday. We had similar issues.

Location: it's in a mixed building age area - my house is the oldest in the neighborhood 1884 Victorian farmhouse, my neighbors all have smaller late 1940's-70's ranches. Good thing is it's not a cookie cutter neighborhood. Bad thing: there are areas within a mile or so away that are a lot less nice; a big block of low rent apartments, and across the golf course there's a much more modest neighborhood with many more crime issues. Good news: We seldom have any problems; we were broken into once about 11yrs ago, one of several homes that summer, but once they caught the teen, no more until my new neighbor moved in last year - someone broke in and cleaned out the house while they were on vacation. But we're reorganizing the neighborhood watch, and everyone knows everyone, so overall it's a good place.

House: It was both a dream and a nightmare when we bought it. Large rooms, lots of charm, great windows, large lot. But we had one previous home owner who stuccoed over the brick exterior, and another scary homeowner who divided the house into a duplex. Lots of work. Wayyyy more work than we first thought. Bad: stuff like two days ago, while I've been busy getting bids on painting and a few other things we wanted to do this Spring, a hunk of stucco fell off a column for the portico. We had suspected a problem for a while, but hoped it would wait. Decided to see what was going on, tore off the stucco, found the original Victorian porch post underneath (YEAH!) but it's rotted and need immediate replacement, so guess what just moved to the top of the project list? So much for my new mill work!

My advice is, know what you're getting into. Check out the crime reports for the area with the local police. Drive around at all hours to see what happens in the area. Talk to the neighbors. Get a super picky home inspector. Plan on things taking 3 times longer to fix than you expect. Watch This Old House so often you feel like you're on a first name basis with Norm and Tom. Have or develop good DIY skills or the house and the contractors will eat you alive.

Always ;-)
Hunzi
in her 14th year of the 5 year renovation