Ok so this is going to be a LONG post.

DH and I are in the middle of relocating (as many of you know). I’ve been living out of a suitcase at 4 places off and on so as to not overstay my welcome anywhere. Finally last week DH and J were up with me and we’re all going to be in one place until we find a house. We started looking in Feb/March and nothing in our price range with what we wanted was available. We’re looking in a very specific area/school district so our options are limited. Our agent finally suggested that we consider talking to a builder that he works with. They had a plan that meets our needs/wants list, but it’s over budget by $8k and there are certain things we’d have to do on our own outside of that $8k. We CAN do it, we just have to dip into savings. THEN…this week a house came on the market. There are a few things that aren’t on our “wants” list but it’s more affordable and in the right area and has other things that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. I’m going to put my list down below and I’m going to ask you guys for your advice. I’m sorry this is so long…DH and I just aren’t having good communication when it comes to this and I need someone else’s opinion to help me work through this J

NEW BUILD PRO’S:

Obviously it’s new—no existing issues

We get to choose colors/finishes/placement of everything

Main floor open concept (completely open kitchen, dining & living room)

Large kitchen w/a pantry

3 bedrooms upstairs (for if/when we have another child, all on the same level)

Main floor laundry

NEW BUILD CON’S:

The lot is wooded (also a pro, no peeping tom’s!) but we’d have the extra expense of removing a TON of trees then sodding

No existing fence

No window treatments included

No fridge

We would have a minimum of 4-6 months before it’s ready

Stress of making all of those decisions, being a WOHM w/a commute and a toddler

EXISTING HOME PRO’S:

It’s move-in ready

Has extra bells & whistles (built in shelves, screened patio, sprinkler system, gorgeous landscaping, privacy fence, lake access)

All appliances included

Room sizes are larger (layout is different, see CON’S list haha)

EXISTING HOME CON’S:

Only 2 bedrooms upstairs, 2 bedrooms down

Kitchen isn’t as open/large as new build plans (there is a wall separating the dining room from the kitchen, but you can see into the living room)

Laundry is in the basement

What are your thoughts, eh? I need some help. DH isn’t as open to talking it out with me, he’s a tough nut to crack and has his heart set on building but all I see are