I would go for house 1, being able to walk to places is such a plus for me. Where we are now I can walk to the library in about 30 min (40 if the dog gets to sniff and pee on everything). It's another 10 min to get coffee and a donut (since I walked all that way) and too often our dog just isn't up for it. I wish we were a little closer to everything, about 1 mile closer and I'd walk for coffee every Saturday and Sunday. When I was in my 20's I wanted to live on acreage away from everything. Now that I'm in my 40's I like being near people and things. I love sitting on the porch for an hour and seeing 4 or more people/couples walking their dogs, kids, or just themselves. I don't know why, either :) Also, I would get more use out of a bigger garage than a guest house :). I have more toys and tools than out of town guests, and a separate structure is another thing to maintain. Bear in mind that I'm also anti-vacation-home (for us, not for everyone else). And a view is something you enjoy all the time. We aren't even on a hill and we have a view of woods and distant farmland off our back deck. There is something restful and enriching about a view you like (or love). So I would buy house number 1.

I like the last 3 - though still not what I'd do. Too much going on in them, and we tend to have too much clutter to add business to the walls. I wish I could keep things cleaner but we're fairly useless. Hopefully with these movements we'll be able to shed some crap. But I've been pretty bold lately... pained one room white (mascarpone) and teal... and we have a living room painted in mascarpone and cayenne, and the dining room is mascarpone and Adriatic (if I'm remembering properly - it's a deep blue). I think if we do something interesting with the closet doors (with color) then I'll leave the small wall white - but otherwise, I may paint. I'll leave the glass bricks open - that's the only "natural" light that comes into the bathroom.

We finally finished our remodel and have started trying to make decisions on furniture. Unfortunately, I’m already questioning my first purchase (fortunately, it can be returned). I decided to start with the sitting area because, with everyone working and learning from home, I wanted a comfortable place to escape to where I could make calls, read, search for furniture, etc. I tried out a few different options using furniture we already own, and settled on a settee or loveseat. Chairs weren’t as comfortable (I like to stretch out), and I didn’t like the layouts I tried because two looked crowded and one looked lonely (athough, admittedly, the styles of the chairs weren’t right for the area). I tried out a small child’s sofa we have and although it was too small I liked the look and coziness of it. So, I made a snap decision and bought one online, and now I’m questioning the style and size of it. For reference, the area is 70” wide and the settee is 53” wide. I thought it would look best with some breathing room on each side (and there’s a baseboard heater behind it), but now I’m thinking something almost wall-to-wall might look better. Thoughts? I wasn’t planning on long curtains, but would they help fill in the space and hide the fact that the window isn’t centered in the dormer? The only issue with using curtains is the other dormer window in the room is very small and I’m not sure long curtains would look good there. I was also planning to use a 3x5 area rug to define the sitting area and purchasing either a narrow ~24” wood bench or 1-2 small round table(s) to set things on. Maybe some large art to fill up the wall space on each side? (The pillow in the middle is just a placeholder to see want I would want there). Here’s what the settee looks like centered in front of the window (lighting is making the color look off - it’s definitely not a perfect match but it looks better in person): I also tried it angled: Better picture showing the color: Possible rug options (I like the organic (?) lines/unevenness of the faux cowhides but not sure about them stylistically with this settee): The only other furniture in the room is a king-sized bed with an adjustable base. I’m still leaning towards an upholstered bed (probably wingback in style, color TBD and not sure now how it should relate to the color/style of the settee). Was also planning to get a 9x12 rug for under the bed, probably something plain and textural. That’s as far as I’ve gotten ... thanks for any thoughts/help!

LisaMac- JuneKnow knows. What is that saying about throwing good money after bad? Not that your house is bad of course, it is perfectly fine as is, but just not for your current needs. It would be great for another family at a different stage of life. Do you think you can just hold on and do a serious search for a one-story home? Would you be willing to look outside your immediate neighborhood to find it? How aggressive would you be to look? If I were in your shoes now, I would drive around every single weekend and if you see a ranch house that looks to be the size you want, slip under the door and in the mail box index cards you had printed that says something like, "My husband and I really like your house! If you are thinking of selling your home, please contact us, we are interested in purchasing it to live in, please contact us. Sally and Joe Blow, Phone, email." Then you may get contacted by the owner or the real estate agent as these people decide to sell, or if they pass away. You can also contact a real estate agent that specializes in the geographic area you want and tell him/her that you need a one story home and specify the other things you need, e.g another full bathroom and bedroom not right next to the master but not at the other end of the house that will allow you to dress without awakening your husband. Or whatever it is that you want. For sure, you are not the only couple with different schedules, you may find what you are looking for. The other thing is, assuming you are willing to sell your house and buy another house that is all on one floor. Are you willing to compromise to get that one-floor house, such as less bedrooms? Even if grandchildren sleep over, you can use bunk beds, kids love those. Even bunk beds with trundle beds. If your husband needs a workshop you can have one added to the back yard with a big shed with electricity added to it unless you find that miracle of a three car garage. So you can do a three bedroom house instead of a 4. it is something to think about, because it seems the pros here have told you that you can't achieve the re-model you want with the money you have to spend on it. (One thing you should know, just because someone doesn't have PRO next to their name doesn't mean they aren't a professional. Some people prefer to be anonymous.)