Wait, We Are Only In The Driveway?

       The first houses we saw were a big learning experience for me. Do you like to have to walk up steps right when you walk in the door? What size entry way do you prefer? (i.e. what are you planning to fit in your entry) Do you like the layout? Is it awkward having this long hallway? Why is the kitchen so closed off? Yea that shower is NOT going to work…. Do you really need a master bathroom? Do you want a walk in closet? How much storage space do you need? Why are there 5 levels in this home….do I really want to clean that!? (Because come on, most of us aren’t going to be able to have a housekeeper!)

You certainly learn after 4 or 5 houses things you like and things you don’t. I was pretty closed-minded about a few of the looks of the homes from the outside after seeing them (you know the ones that look like they have caps on top right? No? Am I the only one that thinks some of the roofs look funny? Okay...) but Brenda forced (okay maybe forced is harsh but strongly encouraged! me to give them a shot). I am certainly glad she did too! Just like you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, you shouldn’t judge the inside of a home by it’s roof! We saw huge houses stuck in the old days, smaller ones with some awesome upgrades, multi-levels, ramblers, split foyers, and everything in between.  I figured out my style little by little as we went. We looked all over the Twin Cities too. If you don’t know what location you want, try them all! We looked in Apple Valley, Eagan, Prior Lake, Shakopee, Savage, Eden Prairie, Burnsville, and Richfield. As you drive to the homes, check out the neighborhood. Could you see yourself and family living there? Who is outside? What time of day is it and what is going on? What kind of neighborhoods did you have to go through to get to the home? Is it an established neighborhood or is it in the early stages of growing?Does it look like people have kept their homes up or let them go with the ages…believe me it’s not hard to tell! Be aware of your surroundings!

When you pull up to the home, think about how it feels…could you see yourself pulling in this driveway everyday and driving to and from work everyday, church, the grocery store, etc  from here? What is the weather like where you are? How long is the driveway? Is it steep? Will you have freezing where you won't be able to get up it? Is there a garage? Do you want a garage? If you plan to entertain ever, is there room for additional parking? How is the curb appeal? Could you keep up the landscaping outside? Is the driveway asphalt, stone, or concrete? Where do you have to go to get your mail (if it is across the street, is the street busy where you wouldn’t want to have to do that daily?)? Don’t get overwhelmed…enjoy it! But think of these things in the back of your mind while you are in the process. Okay, you are officially parked in the driveway or wherever your parking is. Look at the neighbors’ homes and who is out and if you are in an older neighborhood or young families (what do you prefer to be in?)

Now…the inside…..