Q: It's become clear that my partner and I will not be able to afford a waterfront place here, after all.

The houses in our price range are just not what we need or want. I suppose we could start looking at houses with a view, but will that even make a difference?

A: Once you eliminate the preference for waterfront in your price range, you will be looking at nicer, larger homes with a view. That also goes for the difference between inland homes that are on acreage, versus those on less than an acre. The acreage adds considerably to the market value of property. Looking at everything in your price range is probably a better way to discover for yourselves what you are willing to give up in order to have something that's more valuable and important to you.

I've been surprised many times when clients end up falling in love with a house or property that is very different from what they said they wanted. Most people really don't know what they want. They have some ideas, but those are often ideas formed by the things they don't like about their current home, or a list of preferences they've read about somewhere.

It's also common for people to want something that is just like their parent's home, or anything but their parent's homes. Sometimes their ideas of what will work for them are actually formed by what friends or family members tell them they should want. It's always worth the effort to examine those priorities you've set for yourselves to see how many of those wants and needs are really your own.

I'd like to suggest that we just look at everything in your price range. As we get into the winter months there will be a smaller and smaller inventory to choose from so it's good to see everything that's out there before you narrow your search. The most important thing for you is to become a part of our wonderful community and enjoy a slower paced, more rural lifestyle. That can happen in any house.