From a Pad to a Nest -- Guys, I'm Talking to You

Congratulations!  You're getting married.  From the day you popped the big question and changed your status from boyfriend to fiancé, you've no doubt been receiving lots of unsolicited advice from friends, family, and strangers about planning the wedding and about marriage.

So here comes your friendly Northern Virginia & D.C. REALTOR with some more advice for you as you begin the transition from YOUR BACHELOR PAD to YOUR MARRIED NEST.

First, a few fun quotes about marriage that every man needs to hear:

"A man in love is incomplete until he is married.  Then he is finished."  Zsa Zsa Gabor

"Courtship brings out the best.  Marriage brings out the rest."  Cullen Hightower

"Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution yet." Mae West

"Bachelors know more about women than married men.  If they didn't, they'd be married too" H.L. Mencken

All that aside, many things will change once you get married, not the least of which is your living arrangements.  Whether you stay where you are and your lovely bride moves in, or you decide to purchase a new place together (using the services of your favorite REALTOR), the days of dirty socks on the floor, movie posters as decoration, and nothing but beer, o.j., and salsa in the fridge are over.  Say hello to new linens, candles, and yes, less closet space.

Your Refrigerator as a Bachelor                                        Your Refrigerator after Marriage 

After you've taken your vows, danced your first dance (of course, you took dance lessons with my wife's company, The Wedding Dance Specialists), and returned from your fabulous honeymoon, it's time to settle down.

Here's some advice:

• STUFF -- with two people now sharing their lives, you'll begin to notice that there's a lot more of it -- STUFF!  You may need some more room to spread out.  Closet space is important -- just ask her.  Moving is also a great excuse to get rid of some of your excess stuff.  My rule of thumb:  If you haven't used or touched it in 3 years, ditch it!

• BATHROOMS -- I've found that one of the keys to surviving marriage is having two bathrooms.  Sure, you're married, you're intimate, but the sights, sounds, and... smells of the bathroom?  Let her apply her makeup in peace while you enjoy some toilet reading time.

• GET ON THE SAME PAGE -- before you start your home search, discuss with each other your needs and priorities.  I love working with newly married couples, but it's extremely difficult to help them find the right home when he wants a 2 bedroom loft condo and she wants a Colonial with a fenced yard.  Have a serious discussion and figure out what you want.

• IT'S YOUR FIRST HOUSE -- NOT YOUR DREAM HOUSE -- it's time to stop renting and start building some equity.  Build your first nest together.  Remember, you'll need to compromise on some things in your first home.  However, it's just that, your first home.  Your second home will be your move-up home -- maybe you got a job promotion or your family is getting larger.  Your third home will be your dream home!  That's usually the life cycle.

• MAKE IT YOUR OWN -- once you own a place, make it your own.  Choose paint colors.  Decorate.  Add your personal touches.  Have fun with it! Getting dirty and painting together can be a fun bonding activity.

Guys, you've taken the plunge for the lifelong journey of marriage.  Get started on the path towards owning your first home.  CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ON HOMES IN YOUR PRICE RANGE.