2bd vs. 3bd dilemma

4 years ago

Here’s some backstory:

Within the next year or two, my boyfriend and I plan on house searching. It’s just us and our dog (no kids, yet).

I never realized how much cheaper a 2bd (70k-90k) is and how roomier the houses look, compared to a 3bd (100k-180k). We live in Michigan, about 30mins from Detroit.

Coming from anyone who works / adds on to houses or someone in the same situation; would it be cheaper to buy a 2bd and add an upstairs on overtime (another 1-2 beds and a little bathroom) OR just save up more money and buy a 3bd altogether?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Lyndee Lee
4 years ago
It is cheaper to buy the right house than to remodel. The only reason to buy a starter house knowing you want an expensive addition is if the location or lot is a rare find. If a unique small house in a very desirable location was available, buy it otherwise, spend the money to buy the bigger house now. Don't get trapped into thinking you must buy a home and you must pick one even if it doesn't match your needs.
—— ——
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you for the advice Lyndee!

Believe it or not, I’ve seen a couple 4bd’s in my area that are cheaper than a 3bd, but the area I’ve seen those houses in are “more ran down” than the areas with the 180k houses. Everyone keeps telling us what we don’t need all the extra space and to “start small” when I just want a house I can live in for as long as I’m alive OR eventually add on to, if extra money happens to come up (like enlarge the rooms or add a sunroom). It seems like everyone wants to add in unnecessary comments and it makes house buying so much more confusing.
Related Professionals
Fort Dodge Bathroom Remodelers · Newark Bathroom Remodelers · Bakersfield Bathroom Remodelers · Middletown General Contractors · Florence General Contractors · Murfreesboro General Contractors · Burlington General Contractors · Rutland General Contractors · Lake Charles Interior Designers & Decorators · Vicksburg Interior Designers & Decorators · Virginia Beach Interior Designers & Decorators · Manhattan Interior Designers & Decorators · Longview Interior Designers & Decorators · Cody Interior Designers & Decorators · Anchorage Interior Designers & Decorators
Lyndee Lee
4 years ago
When we bought our first house, we didn't have kids, although I was pregnant before we closed. Finding the right agent was absolutely essential. We looked at houses with several different agents before finding one who understood we wanted the right house, and the number of bedrooms was a minor concern for us. That house wasn't any more expensive than new build houses and was architect designed and built with top quality materials and workmanship. We lived there for 26 years...moved in before children and we lived there until they graduated from college. Buy quality, buy the neighborhood, buy the location and the lot, but don't buy based on number of bedrooms. The best value houses are modest to mid range but not the cheapest or the real top end either. It is very expensive and disruptive to sell up and buy a bigger house later.
It is very true that you don't need the extra space but in a compressed market, spend a bit more and get a lot more options. If you were talking about California level prices, extra space is expensive but you won't be spending that much.