When we're going to take a look at homes together, one of the big questions we'll be considering -- whether out loud or just in our heads -- is this...

Will this home work well for you, both now and into the future?

But how far into the future should we be thinking?

For some buyers -- especially first-time buyers -- the answer might be five to seven years. 

For others, it might be ten to twenty years. 

Both can be perfectly reasonable timelines, but they might lead us to very different types of homes.

Spoiler alert...

Homes that will work well for ten or twenty years will likely cost more than those that will work well for the next five to seven years.

So, if we simplify the decision down to two options, which path seems like the better fit for you?

Buy a less expensive home that meets your needs today and definitely for the next few years, but might not work as well in 10+ years?

Or, spend a bit more on a home that works well for you now and almost certainly will continue to work for you for many, many years to come?

There's no single answer to this question -- sometimes it depends on the particular house, sometimes the decision is driven by your budget, and sometimes by how clearly you (think you) can envision your future.

Regardless of how certain or uncertain you might feel about this time horizon question, we should at least think and talk about it as you consider an offer on any particular home.