My husband and I are thinking of buying, but we can't agree on what kind of house we both like. What can we do?

He wants to live smack in the middle of the city; she's hoping for the greener pastures of the suburbs. He doesn't mind driving an hour to work; she'd rather be within walking distance. He wants to live near a great school system; she plans on moving again before the kids are in school. The list of potential disagreements is endless!
Make a list of the top five priorities each of you wants, considering location, house size, house condition, and how long you plan to live there. Roughly half of homeowners move again within eight years of buying a home. With this in mind, each of you might be able to budge a little on your list, considering this first purchase might be more of an investment than a dream home.

Talk over each point to see if there are areas where either of you can give a little. Things like house size and taxes will be easy to figure out by tallying what you can afford. But thoughts about location and other investment possibilities might mean discussing long-term plans for family and finances. It also can't hurt to talk to friends who've recently made big moves, and ask if they have any tips or even regrets. Still can't agree? Go to open houses that fit the criteria on each of your lists, and see what happens. It might just take a beautiful abode to sway your mate your way, or vice-versa.

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-- Sarah Hartley

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