Step Right Up and Pick Our Home: POLL!!

erobbins09 · October 2014

We need to get an offer in today and can't decide!! Both are 4 beds 2.5 baths. Powder on main. They are on the same street, in a great neighborhood (mostly families and some older couples).

junebugjam · October 2014

I went with option 2. We just moved also, here are my reasons.

1 - basement. I think you'll be happy to have the extra room. Just make sure it's a dry basement.

2 - new appliances. We downgraded in appliances with our move and it's terrible. Already replaced washer, dryer, and dishwasher out of necessity. Will need to replace water heater and AC soon, and we had just put in a brand new AC unit in our old house. It adds up, you'll be glad not to have to do it.

3 - paint is a relatively easy fix in comparison.

4 - laundry can always be moved out of the basement down the road.

bhjones1980 · October 2014

I voted for number 2.

Number 2 has the option to finish the basement in the future, that is a whole level of living space you can count on later down the road. Also new appliances is worth around $10K right there.

cls78 · October 2014

That is hard!!! I like the look of the brick on the outside, but it is nice to buy something and not have to buy a bunch of stuff. We just moved and had to buy a refrigerator, washer, and dryer, but ended up buying a new stove, microwave, and dishwasher too since they were dingy and it was pricey. AC is costly too. If you end up going for the first house I would see if they would upgrade the AC or either knock another 5,000 off.

lizzybean · October 2014

We just moved in March and the layout of our current house is a dream. So I voted #1. Layout and size of rooms is really important to me. They are both beautiful.

erobbins09 · October 2014

Yeah it is so tough because the one thing option 1 has is the layout is perfect and that's hard to communicate. But from the kitchen you can see the family room (I.e. Football games) and the sunroom (playroom for the kids) so standing in the kitchen gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. But... Appliances

they are white and not hideous.. Just older and a stark contrast to the stainless steel ones (still shrink wrapped)

foxslaw · October 2014

I voted #2, BUT THAT WALK IN CLOSET IN #1

scahlin · October 2014

I went with option 2 because of the new windows. Those paired with the new a/c unit can get really expensive. The laundry will be annoying but you can always finish the movie room in the basement to watch trashy TV.

cls78 · October 2014

If you love the LO of number 1 here is the question.... what do you have to update now and what can wait?

lizzybean · October 2014

erobbins09 said:

Yeah it is so tough because the one thing option 1 has is the layout is perfect and that's hard to communicate. But from the kitchen you can see the family room (I.e. Football games) and the sunroom (playroom for the kids) so standing in the kitchen gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. But... Appliances they are white and not hideous.. Just older and a stark contrast to the stainless steel ones (still shrink wrapped)

I say that you can always get new appliances down the road. It's something that you can save up for. If the white ones work, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

And I totally understand about the floor plan thing. Open floor plans are really important as kids get older, IMO.

elephantsonpatrol · October 2014

#1 needs more work but has far more long term potential

cls78 · October 2014

The cost of my stainless steel appliances (microwave, gas stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, white HE washer and gas dryer) was a little over 5,000 with tax and hook up fee. I have a few mail in rebates I am waiting on too. I got whirlpool appliances.

erobbins09 · October 2014

@cls78‌ the a/c is the only immediate thing (and it's getting into winter so not dire) but like I said... I'm pretty set on either them having to replace it or adjust the price to account for a new one.

We know the people who rented option 1 for 3 years and they have us a utility bill range which isn't horrible.. So the windows, though problematic, would not be immediate (we also won't have the ~15k needed to replace them right away anyway)

delaneykai · October 2014

This is hard- I see why you're having a tough time picking! I think the price difference makes up for replacing the appliances and the 1 side of the fence, so for me it would be between layout/closet vs. new windows/basement. I think I'd pick #2.

MaryS001 · October 2014

#1. I've had to do one flight of stairs with laundry, and it is a PAIN. Think about two with extra laundry with a new human... No fun!! Go for the layout!!!

cls78 · October 2014

kkleigh10 said:
Option 2! Having just gone through a major reno on my own house, I cannot tell you how much I would have killed for (in hindsight) a house that was turnkey when we bought it. Painting is annoying but it could be done in a weekend. If you figure "we'll upgrade appliances later" trust me, you won't. Unless you upgrade EVERYTHING before you move in, you won't get to those projects, like....ever. Especially with a baby on the way.

Plus I think the outside of #2 is cute!

That is why we upgraded the appliances before the babies. I knew after they are here it will be on the back burner and never get done. I am hoping to do a backsplash too in the kitchen.

As for paint how big is the house? You usually always want fresh. I feel like I will never be done painting the house we just bought. (not before the babies are here anyway). We need a fence too, but that will most likely wait until spring. I feel bad for my dog, because he is stuck inside a lot right now.

erobbins09 · October 2014

Option 1: 2500 sqft option 2: 1800 (plus basement... Even when finished in ohio they do not count as sqftage)

mommadozer · October 2014

Ok, just a disclaimer. I'm a contractors wife and my whole family is in construction....So, I don't mind having projects going on in the house while living there. Sorta immune to it.

I would go with layout. That's what we did with our house. It needed some cosmetic work, windows, heater and AC.

We had new heater/AC and windows replaced within a couple months of living in the home. There was an energy efficient program where if the money that could be saved outweighed the cost of new windows and heater/AC, you could roll up those costs into your mortgage. It was nice not having to cough up $20k at once.

Also, our home has the older white appliances but, the kitchen is stuck in the 1990s anyways. Down the road we are going to renovate.

It's really up to your preferences. Do you need the turn key home with no work or are you okay with having work done while living in the home? Also, getting the home cheaper and performing the upgrades can add more value to your home.

Plus, I think the front of #1 has a warmer/homey/welcome feel than #2.

Good luck and keep us posted on your decision!

ETA: contractor wife disclaimer.

mishka29 · October 2014

lizzybean said:
We just moved in March and the layout of our current house is a dream. So I voted #1. Layout and size of rooms is really important to me. They are both beautiful.

This exactly!

michelle142 · October 2014

I chose option 1 because of the better layout. I'm a sucker for a nice floor plan.

When we bought our house this past spring, it was god awful ugly and needed (still needs more) a lot of cosmetic work - as well as new windows, new appliances and upgraded heating.

But those were sacrifices we were willing to make to get into our forever home with the perfect layout. The upgrades will take place over the course of the next 10 years, but we'll never need to move again.

michelle142 · October 2014

Also with option 1 - would you be able to do the upgrades in phases?

Like new appliances one year, new 1st floor windows the next, 2nd floor the year after that.. etc etc... I think looking at the longevity of what's currently there should be taken into account. In most cases, not everything needs to be replaced right off the bat.

cls78 · October 2014

The house we just bought is 2500 square foot living space and the painting is taking forever !!! If you don't mind projects then I would say go for layout of the house.

AngieAn · October 2014

lizzybean said:

We just moved in March and the layout of our current house is a dream. So I voted #1. Layout and size of rooms is really important to me. They are both beautiful.

^^ This ^^

tortor4 · October 2014

I vote option #1. I LOVE the look of the outside and I think layout is so important! Good luck and congratulations!!
ETA: hmm no basement would probably be a deal breaker for me. I missed that part. Damn.

erobbins09 · October 2014

I am an interior designer so "potential" is actually something I look for in a home... The reality of budget keeps me honest though. That is also why optimal functional layout is such a heavily weighted thing for me. I would eventually make cosmetic changes regardless because well, that's my passion.

Both have spaces with potential. The upgrades in 1 and the basement in 2...and even long term I would do the kitchens and bathrooms soooomeday. But again, not for a long time.

This is really helping me talk it out though

a lot of great points!

lizzybean · October 2014

I agree with @mamadozer that making certain larger upgrades on your own will totally help resale value in the future if you can stand to have the renos done!

Irishcurls · October 2014

Erobb, can you do me a favor and delete and resave those images to your computer? I found the address pretty easily.....there are just too many crazy things happening here lately.

That said, I find the #1 kitchen 100% functional (for me)--ideal? Absolutely not. But not immediate IMO. The layout looks great but those are some brightly colored rooms. I would have to repaint a lot of that house.

The basement and windows in #2 are a big selling point for me. and it doesn't look like a *bad* layout? I like the idea of turn key and baby personally.

Ugh I'm no help. You can't go wrong with either!!!

erobbins09 · October 2014

@Irishcurls‌ ah! Stupid mobile bumping

I will when I get to work but also give permission for a mod delete if @sugahcookie01‌ sees it.

And I know

both need new paint pretty badly but that's not too big of a deal.. I can do it I also have contracted painters I send to my clients on speed dial

Irishcurls · October 2014

erobbins09 said:

@Irishcurls‌ ah! Stupid mobile bumping I will when I get to work but also give permission for a mod delete if @sugahcookie01‌ sees it. And I know both need new paint pretty badly but that's not too big of a deal.. I can do it I also have contracted painters I send to my clients on speed dial

Sorry I don't mean to be a creep....but there are creeps and stupid Google makes it WAY to easy to find shit now.

.......ugh I want this choice to be easier! Lol.....ok if I'm being totally honest, my heart says #1. Windows be damned......

mrsclark731 · October 2014

What everyone else said said that voted #2.

Also, WINDOWS are so expensive and save/cost you tons of money when it comes to heating and cooling your home. They make a big difference!!

Good luck!

Alygohome · October 2014

erobbins09 said:
Yeah it is so tough because the one thing option 1 has is the layout is perfect and that's hard to communicate. But from the kitchen you can see the family room (I.e. Football games) and the sunroom (playroom for the kids) so standing in the kitchen gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. But... Appliances they are white and not hideous.. Just older and a stark contrast to the stainless steel ones (still shrink wrapped)

We bought our house three years ago and the appliances are ancient and just started changing them out as things come on sale (washer/ dyer was out first) so appliances aren't a big deal for me.

MissEm15 · October 2014

Just my opinion.. but from reading your comments, I think you want number 1. I came from not having a basement to now having one, so I can tell you how amazing it is (it's AMAZING).. but on the otherhand, your number 2 house is a lot smaller. If you have plenty of storage in number 1 & a larger garage, I'd go for that one. Appliances can be changed later & really don't have to equal $10k. The windows imo is the biggest cost to prepare for.. how is the roof? If you get a home warranty and your a/c goes out, could be covered (def. check tho)? Just an idea!

Also, I live in Ohio... O-H!!

Edit to add: Would be smart to check which one is the better deal. Check on the auditor's website to see what each owner paid for their house & do a $/SF comparison. You want your home to be a smart investment too. I'm a real estate freak.. so if you want help just messag me.

erobbins09 · October 2014

@MissEm15‌ I-O!!

I am a transplant though

I come from the land of stucco and palm trees so this house thing out here is a whole other beast! So things like basement (virtually non existent in California) and the severity of the windows are a little of a learning curve.

And yes, I have that warm-fuzzy feeling to 1.. But part of it is, if the layout wasn't such a big thing then #2 would be a slam dunk.

MissEm15 · October 2014

@erobbins09 Go w/ your gut lady! Layout is def. important!! Do you have a larger size garage w/ some room for storage? I think DH & I are hoarders.. so maybe that's why I'm so pro basement haha.

triplej9 · October 2014

I voted #1 because layout is very important to me, and appliances can be easily changed when the need arises. Also, we don't have basements where I live, so I did not factor that in at all.

michelle142 · October 2014

It really sounds to me like your mind is leaning towards #1

Go with your gut

We looked at 30+ homes when we were shopping for a new home. The one we ended up buying was the first one we looked at - also the ugliest, in need of the most upgrades... but the layout was the winner. We compared all the other homes we saw, even the perfect ones that needed no work, to that first ugly house. That right there told us that it was the home for us!

erobbins09 · October 2014

argh...I cant get the images to delete

mrsclark731 · October 2014

@erobbins09 -- I owned a townhome (east coast, outside of Philly) that I fell in love with--the layout, the backyard...new HVAC and roof. But like everything on the East Coast, it was older. It needed new windows and I had no idea it would cost an extra 20k to do the windows cheaply. I spent heaps and heaps of money heating and cooling that bitch.

In comparison, my husband and I built a beautiful 3000 sq ft in the same area and our highest air bill this summer = $400 highest air bill in my town home = $650.

You can always use the defects in each home as barganing power! Especially since they know they are against another home on the street!

srcr2011 · October 2014

I also say 2. I personally like that fact that you need to landscape. That means you have the option to do whatever you want.

krysmill · October 2014

I picked #2! It seems more move in ready.
If there's not much to change painting really won't be that bad.
I don't think #1 would be a bad choice if you didn't mind a fixer upper but this time of year really isn't good for that. Plus you probably don't want to be still fixing once baby comes.

erobbins09 · October 2014

I think this is where I am at... they can always say no...

Option 1 ultimately I see as having current "maintenance" expenses..a/c, windows. However, short of vanity driven cosmetic changes (a shower curtain can cover the ugly peach/pink shower for a long time)...there are no major construction issues to make this a home we could continue to grow in (FI has a DD, Mr. Elliott and one more if we are so blessed). SO... they have come down 10k so far...if we can get it for 7-10k less (or a combination of money and a/c upgrade) then I am sold... that would give us a little room for the windows...maybe 1 floor at a time.. the ones upstairs with the storms on didnt feel too bad.

IF they do not go for that... we run down the street to the other that needs nothing (expect for paint). That is the one with less wiggle room and we could potentially lose if anyone else is looking right now (small town...buying off season... no other interest currently). You can't change the room sizes without major construction (we're talking exterior wall movement). BUT maybe we just have a smaller house? Not a big deal. Less to clean.

I really could see us in either...I have done the "christmas decoration" mental test and both make me happy..

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