Poll: which would you choose?

FH and I are in discussions right now on what type of home we want. This will be our first home for the both of us..

We are debating between a smaller, more affordable home that has expansion possibilities (nice size lot, definitely a basement, etc) definitely too small to have more than one child. Would either move or expand within 5 years.

Or a larger home we know we could stay in for at least 5 yrs and have a child or two in it. But it would be a stretch the first few years. (We would still have $$ in savings)

eta* The price difference would be about $50K.
(just a rough estimate, we arent in love with either house (well FH is in love with the larger one, im trying to knock some sense into him)

Message edited 7/19/2006 2:49:03 PM.

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

larger home- i bought small and i want a bigger home now

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Larger home. Moving is a PIA and hear so many people who say they bought small expecting to move in a few years and for a number of different reasons it never happens and they wind up unhappy and "squished".

As long as you can afford it and still have some $$ in your savings like you said I wouldn't even think twice. I rather stretch for a few years then have to pick up and start all over again in 5 years.

Message edited 7/19/2006 12:08:18 PM.

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

We picked the smaller house because of location and style, with a 5 year expansion plan in mind. 15 months after moving in and we just filed our variance application. I have no patience We also plan on staying in this house forever.

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

I would go for the more expensive one... Although it is scary, i think it is always better to go with the higher end of your price range. You guys are young and you will probably get good salary increases in the next few years. Also, i just moved in with FH so we had to move out of his condo and my condo and it was a PITA!!!! if you can avoid moving, do it!

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Larger home. We bought exactly what we wanted. A large home with everything and we have no regrets. We do not have to have to anything to our house for a very long time.

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

I would go with the larger home for the same reasons lululu mentioned.

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

larger- same reasons as above

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Meaghan - you never told us which side of the debate you were on!

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

im the third one to the left


The two houses we are looking at for now, the smaller one is closer to work and needs less work. It is a small ranch with a basement.

The larger one needs a lot of work and is further away, but it is in a nicer neighborhood (both are nice though) and its a high ranch. im not super crazy about high ranches.

I am leaning towards the smaller one because its just us two and our puppy - therefore heat, electric, etc will be alot lower. Id rather not struggle now, but I know in five years moving will be a PITA!

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

definitely the larger home!

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

I vote smaller because I think stretching to have empty rooms for years is not worth it.
We happened to find a bigger house but we choose a less expensive area to keep the stress to a minimum.
Moving is a pain but if you can expand it then you'd be able to stay.

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Message edited 1/30/2009 2:21:09 PM.

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Posted by Meaghan729



im the third one to the left


The larger one needs a lot of work and is further away, but it is in a nicer neighborhood (both are nice though) and its a high ranch. im not super crazy about high ranches./QUOTE]

w/ that said, i would opt for the smaller home. if the larger needs a lot of work it might too overwhelming. you always need to leave some extra $$$ aside for those unforseen problems.

if you are on the fence, why not just wait?

Message edited 7/19/2006 2:02:53 PM.

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

you have to figure in the price difference between getting a larger home now vs. a smaller home and expanding in 5 years. Expansions aren't cheap and if we are talking the difference of 20,000 now it may be worth going the extra mile.

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Did you narrow your search to these two houses in particular? It doesnt sound like you are thrilled with either one so personally, I would keep looking - unless you need to make a decision ASAP.

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

I chose smaller - with you in mind...since you are younger and don't have kids yet. You can still travel and do things that you want to with the money you save.


Personally I don't mind moving - I have moved SO many times that it doesn't bother me and I look at it as a great chance to weed all of the crap I have.


What would be a plus is if the smaller house could be expanded at a later date...in case you fell in love with it and the area (plus a shorter commute is a huge plus)



btw: where's the high ranch? There are quite a few by me on the market

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

don't buy a house just to buy a house

you wanted to wait alittle longer anyway

it doesn't souns like you like either of these very much- don't settle

I settled on car- and it was the worst thing I ever did- from the minute I drove it off the lot I wasn't happy

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Posted by Meaghan729

IMAGE

im the third one to the left


The two houses we are looking at for now, the smaller one is closer to work and needs less work. It is a small ranch with a basement.

The larger one needs a lot of work and is further away, but it is in a nicer neighborhood (both are nice though) and its a high ranch. im not super crazy about high ranches.

I am leaning towards the smaller one because its just us two and our puppy - therefore heat, electric, etc will be alot lower. Id rather not struggle now, but I know in five years moving will be a PITA!

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

i havent seen the insides of the houses yet - I am definitely only at the beginning of the house journey.

Its just so hard for my FH and I to agree on things, we figured we needed to start now so when we find the perfect house for us, we'll know.

We just keep seeing either smaller houses that need less work or larger houses that need more work.

eta: I appreciate everyone's insight. You guys rock!

Message edited 7/19/2006 2:11:02 PM.

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Larger home & that is exactly what DH & I did...We did not get a "typical" starter home as we want to grow into our home & not be forced to move when we have more then 1 child!

Re: Poll: which would you choose?

Even if you buy the larger, chances are, you will move in 5 yrs anyway.

I think its like 80% of homebuyers move in 5-7 years now.


I say go with the smaller and take a couple more vacations!!