A Tale of Two Houses: How to Choose When You’re Torn Between Loves

Like so many sitcom plots, being unable to choose between two equally attractive properties can cause quite the inner struggle. You have to pick one fast, or risk losing both. Often, this decision can create so much anxiety that it can cloud judgment.

If you find yourself pulled between two equally appealing houses, here’s some advice to help you decide which one to choose.

Set Emotions Aside
Stress can make it difficult to think clearly and make sound decisions. A less obvious detriment to clear thinking is over-positivity.

Often, one property or the other can elicit comfort or happiness for subconscious reasons. Perhaps the house reminds you of one you grew up in, or it looks exactly how you imagined your dream home would look like. While this can be a good sign, one must still apply rationale to such an important decision.

Analyze your feelings and objectively determine the pros and cons of each house. If you’re under a time constraint, don’t let that influence your conclusion. An impulsive decision only spells regret later.

Look Beyond the Property
In some situations, the houses can be so similar that there appears to be no discernible difference between them. Use the neighborhood as your guide when faced with this dilemma.

Amenities such as nearby parks, schools, or hospitals can improve quality of life as much as a fantastic house would. Also, neighborhoods change as time goes on, so try to think fourth-dimensionally.

Finally, recent pricing trends can predict value down the road. Okotoks real estate agents are always up-to-date on neighborhood value fluctuations, so it never hurts to ask a professional.

Factor in Maintenance
Your house won’t stay the way it is forever unless you regularly give it proper care. Calculate the cost of replacing or maintaining costly materials such as roofing shingles and aging timbers. A cheaper asking price can sometimes just mean more money spent down the road.

Also factor in maintenance-free aspects such as vinyl siding or steel-framed windows and doors. These amenities may look less attractive, but they can save thousands compared to finicky brick or stucco.

One last, often overlooked detail is that a huge, gorgeous lawn or enormous deck can spell headaches down the road. Lawn-care can get expensive, and convincing the kids to bag up leaves sounds good only until the whining starts. Unless you are willing to put in the extra work, don’t bite off more than you can chew.

Put it Down on Paper
Just when you think you’ve made a mental note of everything, one more nagging detail can pop up. Sit down with family members or an Okotoks real estate agent and write down every last thing you can think of to make sure nothing gets overlooked. Seeing the facts on paper can help make up an indecisive mind.

If you still need help choosing between two perfect houses, contact us and we’ll do everything we can to help you make the right decision.

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Buying