CHAPTER 3 Dream House or Drama House? ama House? (How to Tell What Y ell What You Actually Want in a Home) So, you’ve decided to buy a home. Congrats! That means it’s time to begin the most exciting and confusing phase of the process: figuring out what you actually want in a house... and what you can afford without selling a kidney. Let’s be honest—shopping for a house without a plan is like grocery shopping when you’re hungry. You end up wandering the aisles, impulsively picking things you don’t need (“Ooo, a spiral staircase!”), and forgetting the basics (like, say, a roof). The key to sanity? Knowing the difference between your needs and your desires . One keeps you dry in a rainstorm. The other is a jetted tub with underwater LED lighting. Both are valid. But only one is essential.
Needs vs. Desires: The Great Showdown Let’s start with the basics.
Needs are the non-negotiables—things that will directly impact your daily life. Think working plumbing, a safe neighborhood, and enough bedrooms so you’re not turning a closet into a bunk bed suite. Desires , on the other hand, are the fun, shiny extras. Maybe it’s a fireplace, or a walk-in closet big enough to host yoga classes. These things are lovely, but not life-sustaining.
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