{"items": [{"author": "Phillip", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/629638307662?comment_id=629640313642", "anchor": "fb-629640313642", "service": "fb", "text": "Please don't underestimate the value of your time in upgrading from house 2 level to house 1 level. As well the inconvenience, and the energy spent. Additionally the so called aesthetic changes also change the value of the house (as the price difference between houses 1 and 2 demonstrate). Further, perhaps you are way out on the distribution curve, but I find while I don't notice the incremental differences that changes make, I find the sum of them makes a house more pleasant to live in.", "timestamp": "1380385795"}, {"author": "Phillip", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/629638307662?comment_id=629640642982", "anchor": "fb-629640642982", "service": "fb", "text": "I am often annoyed about a stupid thing a previous owner did (usually a lack of systems thinking combined with not caring about the next guy). If I want to not have that kind of thing thrust upon me, I try very hard with anything I do to the house to consider the \"next guy\" Related to the first thought is that most house improvement labor is the dominate cost. For this reason I always use the best materials I can. That way I avoid paying the labor charge twice (or more) and I enjoy the superior materials each day. Finally worry about things such as the roof, the plumbing stack and the heating system before surface features. The last longer, are impacted by fashion, and reduce the stress of home ownership by reducing the unexpected repair problem.", "timestamp": "1380386143"}, {"author": "Mac", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/629638307662?comment_id=629652688842", "anchor": "fb-629652688842", "service": "fb", "text": "You just ain't gonna formularize your way around considerate compromise.  :)", "timestamp": "1380395846"}, {"author": "Gianna", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/629638307662?comment_id=629843112232", "anchor": "fb-629843112232", "service": "fb", "text": "Very interesting. We went through similar discussions when we were buying our condo last year, and we have similar preferences in the sense that I care more about aesthetics than my partner does...however he cares more about convenience and not having to put time/effort into improvements. After spending most of last summer making improvements, I would not underestimate the value of your time in doing so. So if you know that whatever you buy, you (as a couple) are going to end up upgrading it to a certain aesthetic baseline, decide the tradeoff you're willing to spend between time and money to do so.", "timestamp": "1380553016"}]}