How to Choose Between Two Houses: 8 Key Considerations
Posted by Justin Havre Real Estate Team on Monday, October 21st, 2024 at 11:37am.

When a house hunt comes down to choosing between two houses, it’s important to weigh certain aspects that can ultimately shape your daily life for years to come. From practical considerations like location and cost to more personal factors such as lifestyle fit and emotional connection, each factor can bring you closer to making a final decision.
5 Things to Consider When Buying a House
- Compare costs, including purchase price, taxes, and maintenance expenses.
- Evaluate location factors like commute times and amenities.
- Consider long-term goals, lifestyle fit, and personal preferences.
- Seek advice from real estate professionals and trusted sources.
- Make a pros and cons list, prioritize your needs, and trust your instincts.
Compare the Houses’ Locations
Choosing the location of a home is one of the most important considerations when buying. Commutes, lifestyle amenities, resale value, school districts, and safety are just a few of the crucial points to consider, as they can play a significant role in a home’s convenience and long-term value.
Commutes
Before choosing a house, it’s crucial to envision your typical commute. You can start by assessing commute times from each house to essential locations like work, school, daily errands, and leisure activities.
Evaluate the distance between each house and these important destinations, taking into account traffic patterns and transportation options. Look into local public transit hubs for added convenience, and check how close the houses are to major highways or freeways for easy access.
Be sure to factor in the impact of commuting on your daily stress level, too. A shorter commute can save time and reduce stress, allowing for more quality time at home.
Lifestyle & Amenities
Beyond a home’s proximity to workplaces and schools, you can also consider parks and other local amenities to determine which house could best fit your lifestyle and needs.
Consider the convenience of accessing essential services like grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and public transportation, for starters. Recreational spaces—such as parks, gyms, or walking trails—are also worth exploring.
Resale Value

Location can play a significant role in determining the potential resale value of each house. Specifically, factors such as neighbourhood desirability, proximity to noisy areas, and the quality of local schools tend to be crucial. Location within the neighbourhood and recent home value appreciation rates are also worth considering so you can gauge the long-term investment potential.
Assessing the ease of commuting, access to amenities, and overall neighbourhood appeal may provide insights into a property's future value retention. That said, consulting with real estate agents can further assist in analyzing the neighbourhood's potential growth prospects, property demand, and resale value projections.
School Districts
When choosing between two houses, it may be helpful to explore school district rankings and other performance data to better understand each area. By considering the proximity of each house to top-rated schools, you can assess convenience and potential resale value.
If relevant, look into local school district boundaries to ensure that your new house falls within your desired school zone. Prioritizing a home in a highly-rated school district not only provides educational opportunities but also has the potential to increase property value in the long run.
Safety
Researching crime rates in each home’s neighbourhood can be another essential factor. On a smaller scale, checking for safety features like gated communities or neighbourhood watch programs can provide an added sense of security.
Outside of online research, it can also be helpful to explore neighbourhoods at different times of day to get a better sense of the area. Additionally, you may want to consider factors like upkeep and proximity to potentially noisy or high-traffic areas when thinking about safety levels.
Consider the Specifics of the Homes
When deciding between two houses, it's crucial to consider factors like cost, size, layout, and condition. These elements can greatly impact your daily life and satisfaction with your home.
Cost
Take the time to compare the purchase price, property taxes, and monthly expenses associated with each home. Going beyond just the list price, it's essential to evaluate the cost of necessary repairs, upgrades, and ongoing maintenance for both properties. That way, you can determine the long-term financial implications of each house.
Additionally, you should consider any additional costs, such as homeowner association fees or special assessments, that may apply to one property over the other. Consulting with a financial advisor can provide valuable insights, allowing you to know how much house you can afford and meet your financial goals as a homeowner.
If you're choosing between an existing house and a new construction house, don't assume that the older home will always be cheaper. Get a thorough home inspection and estimate how much it will really cost to bring it in line with your vision.
Size and Layout
While you can start with the square footage and floor plan of each house, you might also want to think about the potential for future expansions or renovations. Don’t overlook a home’s storage options, either—closets, attics, garages, and basements are other good points of comparison.
Look at the flow and design of each house to determine which one fits your lifestyle better. While it may be tricky to picture depending on the house’s staging, try to envision how you would use the space. The size of rooms and how they connect can have a big impact on your daily routine.
Condition
Maintenance and upkeep requirements should also play a part in your home-buying comparison. By carefully evaluating the cosmetic and structural aspects of both properties, you can gauge the two houses’ overall condition. Factor in any necessary repairs or updates into your budget when comparing the condition of each house to avoid unexpected expenses down the line.
Revisiting both properties multiple times will allow for a more thorough assessment, helping you identify any hidden issues that may impact your decision. To that end, home inspections can be a great way to discover a home’s true condition beyond just surface-level issues.
How to Decide Between the Homes

When faced with a tough decision between two great houses, you’ll want to balance trusting your instincts with the facts.
Pros and Cons List
Considering the myriad factors involved in choosing between two houses, creating a comprehensive pros and cons list is often key. When making this list, you should include key factors such as location, size, condition, and amenities for each property. Resale value, future needs, maintenance costs, and potential renovations should also come up during this analysis. Aligning the properties with your personal lifestyle, preferences, and long-term goals are crucial aspects to contemplate.
Prioritize Needs and Wants
To determine the best choice between two houses, you’ll want to prioritize your needs and wants. Start by considering essentials such as square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms required, and must-have amenities.
Next, evaluate your wants—outdoor space, an updated kitchen, or bonus rooms may be more important than you realize. Create a ranking to see which house better meets your criteria, and remember to think about the long-term impact beyond your current lifestyle and plans.
Get Advice From Others
Real estate professionals can provide valuable—and objective—insights when deciding between two houses, but input from trusted friends or family members may also be beneficial.
Taking these advisors along when revisiting the homes can help you gather feedback on important features that may impact your decision. Additionally, consulting with a professional real estate agent can offer expert guidance in navigating the final choice between the two houses.
Trust Your Gut
It’s only natural for gut feelings to arise during your house-hunting journey. Your intuition acts as a valuable compass, offering insights into which of the two houses best aligns with your needs and preferences. By considering your emotional responses to each property, you can tap into a deeper level of understanding that may guide you toward the right choice.
Embrace your instincts as a valuable tool in the home-buying process, allowing them to complement your rational analysis and lead you to the house that truly feels like home.
Choose Your Next Home With Confidence
In the end, choosing between two houses comes down to weighing what matters most to you. Consider factors like location, resale value, school districts, and your personal preferences. Make a pros and cons list, seek advice from trusted sources, and trust your instincts. By taking a comprehensive approach to your homebuying wishlist, you can confidently choose the property that meets your long-term goals and supports a satisfying homeownership experience.