Decisions, Decisions....What do you think?

Well, we've narrowed the house search down to 2. I'm still hoping for a miraculous new listing to pop this weekend, but if not, we have 2 workable rental options. Of course, each has it's drawbacks. I'm hoping some of you may be able to lend your insight and help me sort out my true preference...I'm torn!

Here goes:

Rental #1: PROS - nice curb appeal, open floor plan, workable bedroom set up, decent backyard with a deck, family community. CONS - NO finished basement (huge for storage but not finished for a play area), NOT in a great school district (academically mediocre and also not racially diverse or incredibly accepting and our children are multiracial). $1750/mo

Rental #2: PROS - fairly open floor plan, very nice finishes on the inside, HAS a finished basement and large storage area, workable bedroom set up, GREAT school district. CONS - NO yard for the kids (literally), more of a condo-style (though it's listed as a detached home), few (if any) younger families with kids (mostly much older couples). $2000/mo

My eldest is 5 and will be in private kindergarten next year. However, after that, we will probably need to use the public school system, since our second will be starting school too (sending 2 kids private would be a really big stretch)...that's why school district is a consideration.

All things being equal, the houses are both workable on the inside with respect to the basics. The big sticking points are House #1 does not have a finished basement and is in a less-than-desirable school district. House #2 has no yard for our 4 munchkins to play in and no kids in the community (feels almost like a transitional community for much older couples, though it's not), but is in a good school district.

What do you think?

Tick Tock, Tick Tock...

(Picture courtesy of Realtor.com)

Boy, the housing market stinks right now! I know, I know, lots of inventory if you're looking to buy, but we aren't. Given the number of homes on the market and the length of time many have been sitting vacant, one would think there would be more of a home rental selection out there. Uhhh, no.

Rewind just a bit...for those of you stopping by for the first time, we learned last Friday that the owner of the home we are currently renting is selling it to his son and only giving us until mid-August to move our precious herd of 4 wee ones. For those who are counting, that's about 4 1/2 to 5 weeks from now! My sweet hubby is in management with one of the Big 3 American automakers (given that 2 have gone bankrupt, it's pretty obvious which one!). Given all of the relocations and shuffling lately, it really makes the most sense for us to continue renting, but there is NOTHING out there! Talk about pressure...If anyone has a home for sale in the Avon-Avon Lake-Westlake areas in Ohio that has been sitting vacant and wants to consider renting to an AWESOME family, just give me a holla!