Real Estate and the Serenity Prayer.

"... grant me the serenity to ignore the fabulous Pottery Barn ensemble on the main floor ..."

In the home buying process, we often encourage clients to NOT accept the things they cannot change. If you do not like those things then don't accept them - reject the property. It is important for buyers to focus on those things you cannot change when considering a home. Lot, location and architectural style are all things you cannot change economically. Make sure that those fixed factors fit your search first. It is important that you are just as in love with your home five years from now as you are now. Kitchens, fireplaces, bathrooms all can be changed. If you have done a good job of choosing the fixed factors, you and a good contractor can tackle some of the things you have decided to live with for awhile.

Be picky about the things you can't change. Focus on those things first. In a buyers market you can add other qualities to the list but, start there. Ask yourself what are the important fixed factors. Do you mind a busy street? Do you want quick access to the freeway. Do you want a deep neighborhood with lots of social potential? These are great questions.

When I see you falling in love with the mosaic counter top in the upstairs bath, I may perform an intervention and strongly suggest you fearlessly consider the neighbors welding shop. Assessors focus on lot, location, architectural style, bedrooms,bathrooms, above ground square footage, and foundation size. Appraisers do too. It is a good place to start. If you hate something down the road that you can't change, you'll be moving sooner than you may have wanted to.