5yrs.

5yrs ago this month we purchased our 1st house and to say that was scary would have been a huge understatement.  I think I'm good at buying things and but I'm really good at having buyers remorse and returning them.  However I don't think the bank, seller or title company would have understood "after 30 days we don't think this is the right house, can we exchange for a different one?"  So, we said when we bought the house that this was out 5yr house.  Well, since we don't have a crystal ball and can't predict that the housing market would crash and the chances of getting what A) what we put into the house (new flooring, kitchen sink/counter, partially finished basement, new bathroom, new garage door, and the list goes on) or even B) we paid for out it back out of it.  We came to terms that we would be in our house for another couple years and that would be fine.  That does mean expanding our family beyond 3 is also on hold (for those of you who have been thinking it's time for us to become a family 4).  

Now, this all doesn't mean that we don't talk about what we want in our next house by any means.  We both have wish lists and as usual mine is longer:)  We are both willing to compromise in some areas and others absolutely no compromising what so ever, don't even try to touch the school district, garage, more square footage or bathroom those are non-negotiable.

Mine:
2 baths or more
attached 2 car garage
3-4 bedrooms
different school district
more cabinet/counter space in kitchen
bigger and more closets
in-ground pool
more square footage over all
open floor plan

Marcus:
brick ranch
different school district
more square footage
2 baths
pool or hot tub
good size yard

When we talk about square footage our dreams aren't too big as of right now we live in 790sq ft, yep 790 we are talking the size of a cracker box here folks.  So even 1000 is more than what we have.  We have learned to adapt and host parties/gatherings at my parents house.  So I guess when it comes to square footage we would like enough room to entertain without guests feeling like they are packed in like sardines.  We would like our next house to be our forever house so enough room to raise children in comfortably and then become **cough cough** empty nester's without feeling like we are surrounded by a ton of space that we now have to manage all on our own as our children will have chores while under our roof.  Some day our wish will come true we just don't know exactly when till then we will have monthly goodwill purge sessions to avoid being labeled hoarders. 

Happy 5yrs of homeownership!!