WOW Suzy!!! You have GREAT ideas. I'm always looking online just to get a feel of what's out there and what I want. Hubby and I pretty much want the same things in a home. We've went to a couple open houses in the past, but the real estate agents were just so pushy. We told them we aren't looking to buy until Spring but yet they email us more listings and call us non-stop. We kind of want to look at our own pace. It is overwhelming and I don't want to feel rushed by them. At our rental we pay all the utilities so we have the feel of that. We have in mind what we can afford, but we are telling ourselves not to look up that far in price. I want to be able to really afford the home. I've seen to much from my in-laws. They thought they would be able to afford their home too, which now all their money is going right into the mortgage and they hate it. I don't want to be like that. Besides, I will still want some emergency and shopping money left.
Thanks so much for your advice!