Friday, August 21, 2009

The dilemma.

Garth and I love this house. It has many positives - fenced yard, finished basement with wet bar, safe neighborhood, great school district, 3 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms). Best of all, it is under our budget! What's not to like, right?
It's cute, right? I can totally see our kids playing in that backyard, having a fire pit for family 'smore nights, and a pool would fit perfectly back there!
So, what's the dilemma? We can get this gorgeous, brand spanking new condo for the same EXACT price. That kitchen is breathtaking, the hard wood floors are amazing, and it's so new! Oh, and did I mention it's lake front? I know we will probably go with a house because a backyard is really important to us. So we know the condo isn't really feasible, but it is so darn PRETTY!


64 comments:

Lucky in Love said...

Looking for a place is HARD! I'm a fan of the yard though :)

Melissa said...

Tough choice!! I would want the yard too though!

leah @maritalbless said...

I'm sorry, but the condo does nothing for me! House all the way! :)

Lauren said...

Oh my word, how can you possibly choose, they are both soooo awesome!!!!!

A New England Girl said...

I prefer the house, most definitely... I like the character of older houses- even if they aren't that old! The condo is nice, but a little too non-homey. I think you'll be so much happier with the house! :)

Meg said...

I'm loving the condo's hardwood floors and fire place... but I would definitely go with the house. You'll enjoy it more once you have children and the yard will be priceless to you then! ;)

Happiness Is... said...

Trying to figure out what the most important things in a house are is really hard!!! When we bought our townhouse a few years ago (that we no longer own), we really wanted a backyard but ended up settling for a townhouse with a shared green space b/c it was new - much like the situation you're describing.

I am sure y'all will find "the one" when it's time!

The Rest is Still Unwritten said...

They are both nice! I think I like the house better. Great backyard and more room. The condo is kinda cold but the house is really warm and inviting.

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

House for sure. The condo is cute but the house is home-y.

Good luck!

Unknown said...

Trust me, you only started looking. It took Husby and I almost a year to find our dream house. And there were a few we bid on along the way, but they fell through. And in the end, everything happens the way it's supposed to. The right how will come along. It always does.

SnoWhite said...

House!

For sure, hands down. You can renovate the house over time -- but, if you buy the condo, you'll likely have to move again in the future with kiddos.

In This Wonderful Life said...

Gosh this is a toughy! I do love a backyard but ath condo is SO nice!!

SusanD said...

Definitely go for the house. It's a much better investment, better for children, great yard for gatherings, and better resale value. Blessings, SusanD

Saskia said...

I agree with the other comments...

However lovely that condo is, it won't ever have the backyard, space and potential that the house has, even though it's lovely and glitzy now!

You can get beautiful hardwood floors and swanky fixtures and fittings in the house eventually too :)

Have a lovely weekend x

Lucy Marie said...

House .. no doubt! The yard will be so wonderful not only when you have kids but when you want to entertain as well. House house house!

Kenya said...

Condo is great.. but I agree with your point about the backyard.

Lauren said...

Wow...that is super tough choice but if you think you want a yard then I would definitely go for the house! Plus, you can give the house your own personal touch & make it yours!

Anonymous said...

decisions-decisions..both beautiful!! cant wait to see what you end up doing. = )

Ashley (Joshley and The Charels) said...

I think some of the things to consider is how long you want to be there..like will you still be there when you have kids? If so then which place would be the best family friendly place. they both look great! good luck :)

- Sarah :-) said...

Plus with buying a condo, you still kind've feel lik you're living in an apartment and have to deal with strange people on the other side of your wall! (trust me... I know that from personal experience).

But something that new and amazing is totally hard ot pass up!!

Anonymous said...

I love the condo, but you're right...a backyard is priceless!

Tasha said...

The condo is so modern and nice! But the house looks so cozy and that backyard is awesome!

Hailey HRH said...

i want a condo and matt wants a house - so i feel your pain! good luck with the decision. you will be happy with whatever you go with!

That Fresh Feeling said...

I like the yard option too!

Anonymous said...

I don't know if this is overstepping my bounds, but the house just *looks* like you and Garth. The condo looks more industrial and devoid of that charm, je ne sais quoi that I think you and garth seem to exude, especially in your home environment. I don't think you could go wrong with either of them, believe me! But the house just looks like you two, that was my first thought when seeing it!

Taryn said...

mmm- lakefront is so tempting. But I would kinda like my own lakefront- not just a view of it- so I might go with the house.

Anonymous said...

The condo is nice and fancy and new-ish looking... but the house has SO much more character! It looks more homey, like I could picture you guys curling up on the couch after a long day. And the yard is definitely a must!

AmyT said...

the house is very pretty..awesome back yard!! The condo is to die for.....but you can always up-grade to hardwood floors and do a new kitchen for the house. I love having my own yard - especially having kids.....good luck to you guys!!

Newlywed Next Door said...

OK - I would totally go for the Lakefront one! BUT I say that b/c we live in a Condo now and don't really care about a yard. I personally love Condo living -- but I know in a few years we'll want something different.

MyRunningJourney said...

House! Hands down!

Mrs. McB said...

I would go with the house. Yes, the condo is beautiful, but there is just something about a house.

Whitney said...

Love the condo. Just sayin...
ha!

Becky said...

You guys can have a pretty condo like that when you retire! The house is definitely the right choice if you're looking to have kids. Besides, once you have kids the condo will NEVER look that pretty again! Trust me!

The New Mrs said...

I am a house all the way girl :) Condos can't even really compare.

Annie said...

decisions, decisions!
i say the house too! ;)

Lacey said...

That's a tough choice! But after living in condos and apartments for so many years, a house with a yard sounds divine! Plus no more noisy neighbors to hear through the walls!

Q, La, and Gooner said...

I agree, the newer kitchen is so much nicer but you can always save and remodel if you want! Plus getting a pool, AWESOME! I love having a pool in the back yard.

Christie said...

A brand new condo is great (it's what I live in now), but I'd trade it in a second for a detached house with a yard.

Megan said...

They are both so great with their own pros and cons! Go with what your heart tells you! Good luck!

Girl Meets Beau said...

Oh my that is a tough decision. Even though in the long run the house has more space and the yard is a huge plus, but wow, a lake front condo!

Ashley @ {Let Go, Laughing} said...

wow the condo is gorgeous but i get the appeal of the yard and more long term growth with the house.

Sassy Engineer said...

That is a hard choice, but I do love living in my own house and having a yard (although it is more work)! I know y'all will find the right thing :)

LWLH said...

Great yard and I am one who enjoys my privacy so I would choose the house!

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

My husband is big on a yard as well. Me, i could go either way.

Mrs. Buck said...

They both look awesome, I can see the dilemma. We looked at both houses and condos when we were hunting and ultimately we ended up going with a house and are SO happy we did. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I'd go for the house... the yard is the total sell!

JennyLee said...

It's hard to beat a yard. That condo is amazing though!

Anonymous said...

think of all the memories that you could create in that yard...

Brittany Ann said...

That backyard is gorgeous!

~M~ said...

Wow! Great condo!

Breadwinner Wife said...

Whatever you choose, what a great position to be in, to be able to buy a great place where you will make memories for years to come! Congrats!

Katrina said...

I would totally go with the house!

Shannon Dew said...

WOW you got a tough decision to make! BOth options are great!

Ashley @ {Let Go, Laughing} said...

I left you something over at my blog! :)

Shanny said...

I vote for the house! You can't beat that backyard!

Brett Alexandra said...

WOW. That is a tough one. If you guys plan on having kids soon then go with the first one:)

Aartee said...

House most definitely! Hooray for backyard BBQ's

Jon and Steph said...

I left you something on my blog!

sarah said...

So are the dream houses you showed us earlier completely out of the question now?

Tara Gibson said...

go with the yard! you will spend so much time out there!

Jen C said...

Hey Lindsay,
it's your cousin, Jen. Trust me, you want the yard! You can always make improvements to the house later to make it look sparkly new but you will never be able to get the backyard you want on the condo. I was in your same position a year and half ago except for me, the condo was $100,000 CHEAPER! It was a super hard decision but 18 months later I couldn't be more happy with my decision and don't regret it for a second. In fact, we're in the process of completely demo-ing the kitchen and starting over from scratch so we'll get one even nicer than what those condos had!

Paisley said...

yeah, my vote is house, all the way!! i can't say how much we love our yard! plus, its great to have your own outdoor space.

Maria said...

The condo is beautiful, but a house would be easier to sell down the road. Definitely the house. You can have fun making it your own.

Iva Messy said...

I vote for the backyard :) Either place is very beautiful though :)