What Decision to Make

Updated on August 04, 2011
D.K. asks from Mesa, AZ
12 answers

how do you choose the right home when technically it's not what you want? here is the problem.

we have been renting the same home for 5 years we were suppose to have the option to buy at 5.. well we found out 3 months ago the landlords let the house go in forclosure.. we don't get none of our deposits back etc... I am a sahm that does PT childcare and I have 2 teenage girls.. my dilema is we have been searching for a new home sense we found out and it's just crazy what people are asking for rent, pet deposits etc for sqft of homes.. we have a 4 bedroom home now at 1900+ sqft...we have already figured we are gonna have to go up at least 3/4 hundred $$ in rent to get a nice home in the same neighborhood (don't want change girls school) so here is my dilema after looking at millions (not really) houses and getting way stressed we have found 2 homes..1st: 4bd, 2bd 1897sqft (less sqft) pool (which I really want for something to do cause we will be staying home alot now that we have pay more) rooms are smaller specially the master, have to get fridge, microwave(does not come with these)..2nd home 3bd 2b 2000sqft pool comes with all appliances both homes are renting for the same price so do you sttle for smaller romms less sqft just to get the extra room or do you settle for the more sqft but 1 less bedroom and just make it work..I am just so stressed I just can't think any more if you had no choice which would you pick..thx for any advice

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So What Happened?

thanks everyone while we were trying to decide my friend found one down the street from her & it is perfect has everything we wanted including appliances.. so we sign papers today & move this weekend.. thx for everyone's advice

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E.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

If the teenage girls get along well enough to share a room and you really really don't mind maintaining and enjoying the pool then I vote for 2nd home.

If the girls battle then I'd vote for 1st home

@ltwife I grew up with sisters so I had to ask about how well they get along:)

3 moms found this helpful

More Answers

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Just speaking of the home you are currently living in, have you spoke to the bank that holds the mortgage? You may be able to work out terms to buy the home. God knows they already have enough homes on their hands.

4 moms found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Does the 2nd home come with a pool? From what you wrote, it seems yes.

I guess it would depend on where the extra square footage is. In the kitchen - plus. In a hallway - minus.

My vote is for the 1st home. Yes its a bit smaller, each person would have their own defined space. Plus you would have a room for guests/computer/etc.

2 moms found this helpful

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

If I'm understanding this right, you need 3 bedrooms, one for you, and one for each daughter, so 3 bedrooms should be enough? I think if I liked the 2nd house more, I'd let go of the 4th bedroom, because it's extra anyhow. I know it's nice to have for guests or office or storage, but I wouldn't take a house I didn't like just to get that extra room. If the 3 bedroom house meets your needs, and you like it better, I'd go with that one.

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K.F.

answers from New York on

Your girls are teens. If they are going off to college they will need to learn how to share space. What better way than to stick them in a bedroom together and let them learn from this experience? I would pick the larger home with the appliances because that is one less expense I have to concern myself with.

Don't stress. Just make the best informed decision you can and get on with your life.

UPDATED
In light of the fact that you have two girls that don't get along. We all have to learn how to deal with difficult people. It will be good for them to learn how to get along better. There is a book called Sharing Spaces which is great for soon to be college students or even your girls. It teaches the skills you need on how to get along and share space.

2 moms found this helpful

J.H.

answers from San Antonio on

I agree with Erikaks, if the girls get along then the second home. If you're at all worried that their teen years and sharing a room are going to cause more fighting and arguing, then the first one.

Good luck and I'm sorry this happened to you!

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Both houses come with enough bedrooms where the girls don't have to share (or will only have to share if guests stay over).
They're going to have to share a bathroom - most siblings do.
Both have a pool.
I'd lean towards the place with more bedrooms (house number 1).

1 mom found this helpful
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D.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Hello. I would go with the one with more rooms, even if it is slightly smaller. For us, that would work better in the long run.
Good luck with it all!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from Flagstaff on

I agree with Jo W. Some banks will agree to let you stay and rent or purchase from them for probably a much lower price than you would pay if you were able to purchase elsewhere. You can find out which bank owns your home by going on the Maricopa County website and searching the assessor and/or recorder for documents about your house.

BTW, if they haven't given you a 5-day notice yet, you don't have to move out.

1 mom found this helpful

F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I would always go for the extra room. Also check with the girls school. Generally they don't check to make sure you are still in the neighborhood so you could probably move to a neighboring town and still take them to the school they are enrolled in. At least they do that in my school and I'm in Gilbert. I hope you find something that will work for you. Good luck.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

You have 2 kids.
So a 3 bedroom fits. One room each for each kid.
Then a bedroom for you/Hubby.
Why do you need, 4 bedrooms?
And one kid will be going to college soon.

To me, the 2nd home is a good choice.
It has everything and appliances. And same renting price.
And it has the pool.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

For me, it would depend on what I use the 4th bedroom for.

An office? Well, I can buy $100 7x7 bookcase/room divider from Ikea to divide up the space a little more, or have the office in my bedroom. ((Honestly, I'm biased, having lived for 3 years in a house that just isn't *quite* big enough, the extra space is a HUGE bonus for me, and I'd much prefer to do some creative decorating to have BREATHING space.)) If the house has a garage, it would cost less than a new fridge/appliances to outfit THAT as a living space and park outside.

However... If it's Naptime for daycare kids &/or other space for the daycare kids to keep it separate from the rest of the house, and there's no "dividing a space" or garage option? Probably the 4th bedroom.

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