How Do You Choose the Right Home for Your Stage of Life?

Shana Martin

At 24, I probably would've described my dream home differently than I do at 44.

I'm guessing 64-year-old Shana will have some different opinions too.

Here's what I've learned:

The best home isn't always the biggest home. It's the home that best fits your life.

More isn't automatically better

More square footage.

More bedrooms.

More land.

A bigger kitchen.

A bigger closet.

And yes, I've seen some North Texas closets that could almost qualify as their own ZIP code.

There is nothing wrong with having those things.

But before buying them, ask:

Do we actually want this—or have we been told we're supposed to want it?

What matters to me now

Rusty and I are empty nesters.

We love family.

We love church.

We love traveling.

I love Rangers games, musicals and Disney.

So I'm increasingly interested in what a home allows us to do, not just what it looks like.

Does it create freedom?

Can family gather there?

Can we travel?

Does the payment allow us to give generously and enjoy life?

Does the location make sense?

Find your house—not somebody else's

A young family might need four bedrooms and a backyard in Haslet.

Another couple may want acreage.

Someone working around Alliance may value commute time.

An empty nester might prefer something easier to maintain.

They're all good choices if they fit the life you're building.

Don't buy somebody else's dream house.

Figure out your dream life first.

Then let's find a house that supports it.

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