Monday, May 07, 2007 12:38 PM
Finding a compromise?
We want different things in a house -- how do we compromise?
Considering almost half of all homeowners move within eight years of buying a home, you both might be able to budge a bit on your list of wants, since you?re not likely to shack up there for your entire life.
So, before you even start the hunt, make a list of the top ten things you each want in a home -- think location, house size and style, its condition, and how long you plan to live there, etc. Then go back through your lists and check five of those ten points that you could be flexible on. Talk over each point together, and you?ll find areas where both of you can give a little. Issues such as house size and taxes will be easy to figure out by calculating what you can afford, but thoughts about location and other investment possibilities might mean having discussions about long-term plans for family and finances. If you still can't decide, agree to visit each type of house the other person is interested in with a totally open mind. It might just take actually seeing a beautiful abode to sway your mate your way.