Rental Nightmare in Sydney

MMMMM If you haven't already read from my previous posts, we are on the hunt for a new home......and boy is the market frightening.

Today I turned up at this house
and there were about 100 families waiting to go through - even with a 40 minute wait on getting the door opened there were still about 50 groups going through and the photo does the property justice, it was not jumping out saying try and take me.....

as I was driving home passing another open house (crossed off my viewing list as it said NO PETS) I thought I would stop in just to satisfy my curiosity) Well it was gorgeous, I want to live there BUT what do we do with our beloved cat Jessie - How could I move my kids, turn their lives upside down with new schools etc. and leave their pet behind.....Anyone looking for a fat Black Cat?

Last on our list was this very large family home with a price at the top of our range I am not sure what to do - It has all the space we could use but it was quite higgilty piggilty a bit of a Harry Potter Home - what I thought was a linen cupboard in the dining area was actually a secret bathroom, complete with bath. The pantry (fitted out similarly to that in a restaurant) next to the kitchen hidden behind a door was a large under stair cupboard and half of the roof was turned into a loft complete with a great tunnel cubby hiddy hole the kids had a ball running through the house finding all the hidden rooms but it truly was not everything we are looking for - But was close enough for Bruce to get to work without having to pass through one set of traffic lights (YES he was very keen on this aspect and it is only around the corner from where he was raised)

included 3 Lock up garages in 2 buildings and a yard at the side of the property which was big enough for another house........ this is the front room which begins it's individuality......

This house has the potential for a great play room for the kids complete with inside cubby and tunnel, I could have my own sewing/computer room, a family art room, a study for Bruce But it is much need of a week long clean and a paint would be nice (only they want an extra $125/week for the painting) so we would forgo the painting.

We have been through others which are too small/short term lease only/ on or about to go on the market for sale/NO PETS/too expensive etc etc.....

Should we take the Harry Potter House in the nice area which is big but but....but? I would love any assistance in making my mind up.