Hellobee Boards

I think you should add a poll! This is a tough one...I think #1 sounds like exactly what you want...but #2 sounds amazing, I would love not to have a mortgage! I am no help I wonder how much you could get the first one for in reality...

coming from someone who went cheaper.... go with the dream home! we've only been here for 2 years and now want to upgrade. we should have just built our dream home the first time around!

I voted #2 because not having a mortgage would be pretty amazing but I think it depends on how long you plan to stay in this house. If you're looking to move into your forever home, then maybe #1. But if you're planning on moving eventually anyway, then I'd buy #2 and save up for your next dream home to be your forever home! Sounds like you have 2 great options though!

If you like the neighborhood in No. 2, I'd go with that. You can change the house (especially w/o a mortgage) but not the neighborhood!

I'd buy #2 since you won't have a mortgage; live there for a couple of years and save up, then buy your dream home and rent out #2 house and live in your dream home with a greatly reduced mortgage!

I would go with the dream house, especially if you think it would be your forever home. The cheap house is a good option if you think you won't stay forever in either house, but if you want to put down roots and not have to move ever or worry about reno, I'd go with the dream house.

I'd go with #1, especially since it's still in your budget. My husband and I have a very similar situation going on, and we know that we don't want a home that's just ok. We want the one that says, "that's the one!"

I think if #1 is truly your dream home, then should absolutely buy it. If #1 still has some flaws, then you should consider #2. *But* only you can decide if the drawbacks of #2 are worth living mortgage-free. Personally, I can't stand split levels and would spend my entire time counting the days until I could move again. But that's me!

I think it depends on how long you intend to stay in your next house. If you would plan to stay a really long time if it was the right house, I'd go big and get the first one. If you know you plan to move anyway in 5 years or so, I would more seriously consider the second one.

Just as an example-- for us, we are looking to buy a place in the city, but we know in 5 years or so, we want to move out to the suburbs where we can have a big yard, good schools, etc. So we are definitely not looking at a forever home and would probably prefer the cheaper one, since it would suit our needs for the next short while and we could save up more for our dream home down the line. But with mortgage rates so low now, I think it makes sense to get the great one now if you will stay there long term.

If #1 is your dream home and you can afford it, go for it. If you are going to #2 soley based on the price, you are going to end up hating it and wanting to move within a couple years. Which by then home prices will probably have gone up and you won't be able to afford the one that you really want. Not to mention mortgage rates will be higher.

Plus there is NO way I would buy a house without a master bath.

@char54: we just bought our first house! Are they both in good school districts?? To me I'd go with house two. I'd much rather use the money to travel than be in a perfect home. Good luck!

@char54: I don't know-- House 1 looks amazing. If you are thinking you could potentially be there for 10 years, I'd probably choose that one. I hope going to see them both again helps you make a decision!

I would go with #1. If it's still within your budget, go with the house that you can see yourself in long-term. The housing prices are still low and so are interest rates, if you buy #2 and decide later to upgrade, the house prices and interest rates will most likely be higher. It may be a bit of a stretch right now for #1, but you'll be able to grow into it.

I actually love #2!!

You know what would be awesome?! If the second house allowed you to have no mortgage, you could buy that one, live there for a few months and then rent it out, and buy a dream house... then you'd get a great renters income!

haha that's a little out there though.

Man touch choice!!! I think because of our personal financial situation I would LOVE to be able to have a house without a mortgage so I might lean toward that one... but the dream house sounds great!!

good luck with your decision!

One more thought: since #1 is a new build, you could always contact the builders and see about having them build you that same dream home at a later date, or compare estimates from several builders for that specific home plan. If you purchased your own land and were able to sub out parts of the build (especially things like granite/flooring/etc.) you could probably get that same house at a lower cost.

For the money and looking at the pictures, I would definitely go with number 2!!