"having a clear number in mind subtly shifted my expectations and preferences."
Haha, totally relatable—I went in thinking I'd stay super disciplined, but once I saw that pre-approval number, suddenly my "must-haves" got a little fancier. Funny how quickly granite countertops became "essential"...
That's interesting, because I've noticed the opposite sometimes. I've worked with buyers who started out with a pretty generous pre-approval, but once they actually toured homes and saw what their money could realistically buy, they scaled back their expectations quite a bit. It's like reality sets in when you realize that number doesn't always translate into your dream home—especially in certain neighborhoods or markets.
Curious if anyone else has experienced this shift in reverse? Like, did seeing actual homes within your budget make you reconsider what you initially thought was essential?
I've actually seen this happen quite a bit. People start off thinking they absolutely need certain features—like a huge yard or a finished basement—but once they tour homes and see what's realistically available, priorities shift. Suddenly, location or commute time becomes way more important than that extra bedroom or fancy kitchen. Did you find yourself reconsidering anything specific after seeing homes in person?
Totally relate to this. I was dead set on having a finished basement for a home gym, but after touring some places, commute time started looking way more appealing. Funny how priorities shift once you're actually walking through houses...
Haha, priorities definitely shift once reality hits. But honestly, getting pre-approved first is a lifesaver—nothing worse than falling in love with a place only to realize it's outta reach financially. Been there, done that... not fun.
