Here's how to break it down:
1. Start With Your Non-Negotiables
Before looking at granite countertops or backyard patios, return to your must-have list. These are the features you agreed you couldn't live without, such as:
- Location or school district
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Commute time
- Parking or garage space
- Budget comfort zone
If one home checks every non-negotiable and the other doesn't, the choice may already be clear. A beautiful home that doesn't meet your lifestyle needs will become frustrating over time, no matter how charming it looks on day one.
2. Compare Layout and Functionality
Two homes can have the same square footage but feel completely different to live in. Walk through each property and think about how your daily life would actually flow.
Ask yourself:
- Where would shoes, coats, and bags go?
- Is there enough storage for your needs?
- Can the space grow with you if your family changes?
- Does one layout feel cramped or awkward?
A slightly smaller home with a smart layout often feels more comfortable than a larger one with wasted or poorly designed space.
3. Look Beyond Staging
Staging is meant to make a home look its best, but it can also hide flaws. Try to imagine each property empty and ask what is really there.
Compare:
- Natural light
- Noise levels
- Privacy
- Yard size and usability
- Street traffic
One home might feel warmer and more inviting simply because of its decor, while the other has better bones that will matter in the long term.
4. Evaluate the Condition and Future Costs
This is where emotion should give way to logic. Review each home's age, major systems, and maintenance needs.
Consider:
- Roof, furnace, and windows
- Plumbing and electrical updates
- Insulation and energy efficiency
- Any visible signs of wear
A lower purchase price can be misleading if a home will need major repairs or upgrades in the next few years. Sometimes the slightly more expensive home is the better financial decision.
5. Compare the Neighborhood
You aren't just buying a house — you're buying a lifestyle. Walk or drive around both areas at different times of day. Pay attention to:
- Noise and traffic
- Nearby amenities
- Parks, shops, and schools
- Overall feel of the community
Even the perfect home can lose its shine if the neighborhood doesn't suit how you live.
6. Factor in Resale Value
You may not be thinking about selling yet, but future buyers will. Look at which home is likely to hold or increase its value better based on location, layout, and condition.
When you weigh both emotion and logic, one home usually begins to stand out. The right choice isn't just the one you love today — it's the one that will support your life, budget, and goals for years to come.
Resale value to me is the most important one of all. I just sold a property in Chagrin Falls Ohio and the family could not believe how much they made tax free.
Learn the tax laws and always get a CPA to explain but if you live in a home for at least 2 out of 5 years your new proceeds are tax free.
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Thank you