I have mixed feelings — they provide more use of our porch than if we’d just gone with a screened porch. This year we started opening only the bottom panels and using our ceiling fan. The ventilation was excellent and they were easy to open and close. However, I miss the big open effect of opening them down from the top. To close them when they were opened from the top, my husband had to use a stepstool and, at 5’4”, I couldn’t close them completely. After having them for 5 years we still haven’t tackled cleaning the vinyl so our view is getting more blurry — we’re afraid something will break. In retrospect, I wish we’d originally paid the extra $15-$20k for windows and winterizing so we could enjoy the room year-round — to retrofit now would probably cost 2-3 times that amount. Live and learn!

Big question---what does your spouse think of the idea?? If he's open to it then explore the possibilities. Consider how you could use the house. As a close by "get away" it offers a big yard, small pool, and lake access. Great things for a family with 3 boys. It wouldn't be too far away if you did have a kids ball game to attend. Owing it would allow for the option of you parents relocating and living in it, or perhaps just staying there part of the time. Or, you might find after living in it part time that you like it so much you want to move into it as is or do a sensitive addition. Or, you might find that after owning it for a while that 2 houses are a pia and decide to sell it! You could do any, or all, of those things while you owned it. But you can't if you don't own it. So should you rush to buy it? NO. Like any real estate purchase look hard before you leap. We had our 2d home inspected BEFORE we bid on it. That gave us a good idea of what was needed and how much repairs/renovation would cost (of course there were many surprise problems) and if we really wanted to pursue it. I checked county records re sales prices, taxes, easements, etc of it and surrounding homes. We talked to the neighbors. We also looked at at least 6 other places after discovering this one to make sure it was a good choice and value. We went from my husbands long declared "I'd never own a second home" to his "Honey, what would you think of buying a house on a small lake and oh, by the way I paddled by one for sale today" to buying it in less than 2 weeks. Now it has been 2 years (and lots of renovation) and every time we are out there (frequently as it's only an hour drive)I comment on how glad I am we bought it. Besides the lake, I love its bright contemporary feel as opposed to our traditional in town home. The lake house better reflects me and makes me happy so I understand your falling in love with such a neat mcm home. In summary, if after you both think it through and are interested, look carefully, come up with an estimate of repair/remodel costs (x1.5 to be realistic!), figure out how much you are willing to pay/market value considering those costs then go for it. If you can't get it for a realistic price walk away. If the condition turns out to be too deteriorated--walk away. Either you'll get another opportunity when no one else buys it or you can console yourself by thinking about all the negatives/ impracticalities/second yard to keep up/ etc. that you missed. Let us know the outcome. PS- If you don't buy it you should suggest they list it on the mcm website Lottaliving.com to help it find an appreciative owner.

I had completely forgotten about this being a lake home so AnnKH had a great point about how a front garage would actually be a rear garage (or something like that). So I think the point about maximizing the views and accessibility on the lakeside is definitely more important that worrying about a 'snout' garage. But, here is our first floor floor-plan. We are on a 100' wide city lot (unfortunately no lake views) and this house is 71.5' wide. The deepest part of the house, not including porches is 41'8". It was deeper than I wanted, but the rooms in the middle of the house (closets, laundry, etc) don't need windows so I'm OK with it. Our second floor has three additional bedrooms plus a bonus/loft space. We've got 2 kids, ages 11 and 13. No basements here in Texas.

As an appraiser, I see you having two issues, which option will be the best value and which option suits your needs? The basement will provide the best return on expense. The reason is it will be heated and can be counted as finished living space below grade. The three-season room will be designated as unfinished area such as a deck or porch and valued accordingly.. If all of the other units have a basement and your unit doesn't, it may be harder to sell. Flip that statement to if all of the other units have a three-season room and yours unit doesn't it may be harder to sell. Having said that, you need to install whatever best suits your needs and desires. Life is too short. Put in the item that you think will improve the quality of your life.