Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

This is sort of a cross post but I decided to do a poll. If you had a choice of either:

purchasing a new construction home way out east (like holtsville or something like that) that was bigger, and had more property but would mean a horrible long commute

or

purchasing a new construction home that was not in a great location (on a busy main road) but was otherwise great - practically your dream home

or

staying in your current home & renovating it; which is in a prime, highly desirable location, excellent school district, and close to work but needs lots of work and has limitations (it will never be your dream home)

Or would you do something else entirely that I'm not thinking of?

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

imo this is a NO BRAINER....
RENOVATE YOUR HOME!!!!!

YOu say it is everything you pretty much want...just renovate the rest...

If i didn't have to add on time to my commute i wouldn't.

AND NO i wouldn't buy a home on a major road...just to almost have your dream house...IMO that is a BIG turn off!

Message edited 5/30/2005 6:55:09 PM.

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

we considered the same thing... well, not new construction, but just moving out east- more land, bigger property, etc.. basically, you get more for your money as far as house/ land are concerned. BUT commuting then becomes like a part time job, so you have to think about the Monetary value of all that time that you would spend traveling as well.

i'm breaking out the #'s as an example, just so that it makes more sense (if i try to just use words, i wont make any sense at all ).
break down a salary to an hourly rate. Im going to use $30/ hr just b/c its an even #. okay, so if your commute now is 15 mins each way, thats 1/2 hour of your time= $15
1.5 hr commute Each way= $90
x 48 weeks (im deducting for vacation/holidays) = $4050.
(short commute= $720)

- and thats just for doubling One persons commute. If both you & DH are doubling your commute, then that number doubles too

(then you could compare that to what your mortgage payment would be, and see if the #'s make it worth it).

then add onto that.. cost of gas, wear and tear on your cars, child care (more time that you'd have to pay a babysitter), and most Importantly... Quality of life. Would you be happier having that commute and living in your 'dream house' (that you dont have as much time to enjoy), less time with your family, and sitting in that amount of traffic everyday.... because a dream house is a priority?

Im kind of biased b/c i really have a big thing about commuting (i used to have a 2 hour commute, now i have a 7 minute commute). Honestly, it makes a Huge difference to me, and i dont think i'd ever go back to that (but like i said, im a BABY about commuting). we thought about buying out east, but for now, i'd rather rent where we are.

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

Oh... and for the major road topic- NO i wouldnt do that either. There are so many factors to that.... things we take for granted by being on a quieter residential street... that just arent worth it.


Also, the resale value Will be less, And it will be harder to sell.

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

I'd stay in the current home and renovate it to make it as close to what I want as possible. Like Neenie, i have a big hang up on commuting, and feel like a long commute really kills my qualityof life.

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

Commuting can be a nightmare.
Some days it can take u even longer then what you planned on already.
I would start renovatiing the house.. who knows in a few years even if you change your mind, your house will be worth more with the updates and there will always be new homes going up

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

If you like where you are ...Renovate!
My parents did this when we were little and they are still in the same house. They went from a 3 BR ranch to a 6 BR colonial.

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

I say renovate. If you like your area and the the commute is short and you renovate, you still win, it is going to go up on value.

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

renovate, good schools, good commute, good neighborhood.

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

well, the house on the main road. . is it otherwise a good neighborhood? How is the commute?

I may go with that one. Why put $ into renovations if you are never goign to be fully satisfied with it.

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

I would renovate, why would you want to leave all those good things behind. Stay and spend your money on renovating it, this can help you out with the money value of your home in the future, if you decide to sell.

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

We did New const out east, bigger house & prop, longer commute

I work in central suffolk, so commute isn't bad - 30-35 minutes

Re: Poll: What would you choose (house related)?

is the out east home in a good school district? That is important....also consider that as you move out east, the psuh will move that way also....EVERYONE will eventually head out that way because everything else is overcrowded.

Also, if you purchase a large lot of land, in the future you could probably subdivide and sell part of it while still keeping your house. OR, build a smaller home to rent which is extra income.

STAY AWAY From the main road, it's unsafe for children as well as driving...pulling out of the driveway etc. What if there is an accident on that road....traffic gets backed up and you are STUCK.

RESALE wise you want a good school district, land, privacy.