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A. built in 1996. 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage. New kitchen-granite, new appliances, new flooring (linolium though) great corner lot with deck and screened in gazebo. basement is not finished but does have walk out. about 2000sqft
b. built in 1993? 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 2 car garage. kitchen needs complete overhaul. nice lot with florida room. basement is finished with an additional bedroom and wetbar (don't really care for that) about 3000sqft
both in nice neighborhoods. A is priced $25K more than B. We think we can get B to come down more. A is owner/agent so not sure how much negotiating power there is. A has higher HOA but includes a few more items.
I know this is limited info but would you go with A which is much smaller and finish the basement or go with B and re-do the kitchen? B is in a much more mature neighborhood with homes ranging from $500K-$1Million. A range from $500K to $750K or so.
Well, when I've had a good night's sleep the night before and I'm clear in my head, when I'm asked this I give the really smart answer that a good agent should give...
Which home and neighborhood do you think will you be more happy to live in for the next five or ten years...or for the rest of your life?
Of course, there are times when I'm asked this and I haven't had a full night's sleep, or I'm off my game and I give the dumb, but direct, answer...
I'd go with the smaller house. I had the big house and ended up hating it because I could never keep the whole place clean, the utilities were horrendous and the cost of completely furnishing every square foot to my liking was bank-breaking.
Location: Danbury CT covering all of Fairfield County
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Without knowing more, I would think house B would be a better investment. You could probably put in a new kitchen just over the $25k price difference and you get the additional space which you won't to spend money have to finish. It just depends which home you and your family would feel the most comfortable in.
Twinma, I'm going to tell you the same thing I tell my clients:
I'm sorry, I can't make that decision for you. It's your home and your decision and I want you to be happy. If you're happy, I'm happy and I trust your judgment. Now once you decide which home you want, I'm going to do everything I can to help you get that home and at the best price possible.
(okay, I'm not really doing the last part for you but you get it but we know you'll make a sound, informed decision because you've shown wisdom here in the past.)
A. built in 1996. 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage. New kitchen-granite, new appliances, new flooring (linolium though) great corner lot with deck and screened in gazebo. basement is not finished but does have walk out. about 2000sqft
b. built in 1993? 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 2 car garage. kitchen needs complete overhaul. nice lot with florida room. basement is finished with an additional bedroom and wetbar (don't really care for that) about 3000sqft
both in nice neighborhoods. A is priced $25K more than B. We think we can get B to come down more. A is owner/agent so not sure how much negotiating power there is. A has higher HOA but includes a few more items.
I know this is limited info but would you go with A which is much smaller and finish the basement or go with B and re-do the kitchen? B is in a much more mature neighborhood with homes ranging from $500K-$1Million. A range from $500K to $750K or so.
Well, I don't know your likes, dislikes, or family size. So I will pretend it's me in this situation.
B sounds like it's cheaper to buy, cheaper to live in (the HOA), and in a better neighborhood. I have a family with two growing boys, would like to have another child, and have family in town that often comes over. Without a doubt I would buy house B and just do the kitchen with the money I saved from House A.
I'd go with B as well unless the amenities that A neighborhood offers are important to you. 3 full bathrooms is better for resale than 2 full bathrooms. Are the 2 homes of similar quality construction? B is much less expensive (based on cost per sq. ft.), so you'll want to make sure that the quality is there.
Remember, one of the key rules of making money in real estate is to buy the worst home in the best neighborhood and fix it up.
A. built in 1996. 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage. New kitchen-granite, new appliances, new flooring (linolium though) great corner lot with deck and screened in gazebo. basement is not finished but does have walk out. about 2000sqft
b. built in 1993? 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 2 car garage. kitchen needs complete overhaul. nice lot with florida room. basement is finished with an additional bedroom and wetbar (don't really care for that) about 3000sqft
both in nice neighborhoods. A is priced $25K more than B. We think we can get B to come down more. A is owner/agent so not sure how much negotiating power there is. A has higher HOA but includes a few more items.
I know this is limited info but would you go with A which is much smaller and finish the basement or go with B and re-do the kitchen? B is in a much more mature neighborhood with homes ranging from $500K-$1Million. A range from $500K to $750K or so.
If I were looking at these two homes (based on my own wants, needs and family - no children). I would go with A. Again this is based on my own needs. No children - no need for 3000sf of space, corner lot - priceless, new kitchen - less work for me after i move in, unfinished basement - can be finished to fit MY family's needs, gazebo (which i LOVE) - priceless to me. i wouldn't be phased by a home being owned by an agent and would negotiate as i see fit. agents need to live somewhere too. This is all based on my own personal needs/wants.
I think we are making an offer on B. A is 2100sqft (found out info today) and B is 2700sqft PLUS 900 finished basement. We have toddler twins, so space is an issue for us. I think A would be PERFECT if we didn't have kids, a lab dog, and a cat!
Twinma, I'm going to tell you the same thing I tell my clients:
I'm sorry, I can't make that decision for you. It's your home and your decision and I want you to be happy. If you're happy, I'm happy and I trust your judgment. Now once you decide which home you want, I'm going to do everything I can to help you get that home and at the best price possible.
I think we are making an offer on B. A is 2100sqft (found out info today) and B is 2700sqft PLUS 900 finished basement. We have toddler twins, so space is an issue for us. I think A would be PERFECT if we didn't have kids, a lab dog, and a cat!
Good Luck......with a growing family House B is a better choice for your needs. I know....two teenagers and almost 4000 sq ft and there still is not enough room when they have friends over and the dogs (3) are running around......my hubby and I escape to our master suite for some peace and quiet.
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