What We Thought We Wanted vs. What We Actually Bought

ByTanyaPetersonRealtor

I think most buyers begin their home search with a clear picture of exactly what they want.

We certainly did.

We knew we wanted a property with water. We wanted enough space for family and friends. We wanted something that could serve as both an investment and a place we’d genuinely enjoy ourselves.

It sounded simple enough.

It wasn’t.

Starting With a Dream

Our original vision wasn’t Central Oregon at all.

One of the first properties we seriously considered was near Devils Lake in Lincoln City. On paper, it checked almost every box: waterfront access, beautiful scenery, and plenty of nearby activities.

But as we dug deeper, we learned about the seasonal algae blooms that can affect the lake.

Since all three owners have dogs and planned to spend time enjoying the property ourselves, that became a major concern. We didn’t want to worry about whether the water was safe for our dogs or whether certain times of year would limit our ability to use the property.

As much as we liked it, we knew it wasn’t the right fit.

Our Search Shifted to Central Oregon

Photo by Jos van Ouwerkerk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/lake-and-mountains-behind-18121534/

Like many people, we love Central Oregon.

We visit often and never run out of things to do.

  • Floating the Deschutes River
  • Paddleboarding
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Concerts
  • Skiing
  • Exploring Bend and Sunriver

Naturally, our search shifted in that direction.

The Reality of Finding “Everything”

It didn’t take long to realize that finding the perfect property meant balancing four competing priorities:

  • Location
  • Water access
  • Size
  • Budget

Every home required a compromise.

The larger homes weren’t on the water.

The waterfront homes didn’t offer enough space.

The nicest homes stretched beyond our budget.

The affordable homes needed significant work.

As a Realtor, I remind buyers all the time that there is no such thing as a perfect property. There are only trade-offs.

Still, we kept searching.

The House We Thought We Wanted

One of our strongest contenders was a home on Lost Loop.

It had plenty of living space.

The fully fenced yard was a huge bonus—especially since fenced yards are relatively uncommon in that area.

On paper, it made a lot of sense.

But something was missing.

The yard felt smaller than we wanted, and it didn’t offer the water access we’d been dreaming about.

We kept trying to convince ourselves it would work.

Deep down, though, we knew it wasn’t quite right.

One More Showing

Almost as an afterthought, we scheduled one final showing.

To be honest, I didn’t expect much before we walked through the front door.

Then everything changed.

The home featured two primary suites.

There was room for multiple families to stay comfortably.

The yard was fully fenced.

And there was water.

Not just water—but canal frontage with direct access to the Deschutes River.

More importantly, I could immediately picture family and friends gathering there, making memories together.

Sometimes you walk into a house and it simply feels right.

This one did.

The Cabin on the Canal vacation home in Three Rivers, Oregon with canal frontage and fenced yard.

It Wasn’t What We Thought We Wanted

Ironically, The Cabin on the Canal wasn’t the property we originally imagined buying.

We weren’t specifically looking in Three Rivers.

We weren’t searching for canal frontage.

And we certainly didn’t expect that the property we’d eventually purchase would be one we almost skipped altogether.

That’s one of the things I love most about real estate.

Sometimes the house chooses you.

Lessons We Learned

Looking back, the experience reminded us of a few important truths:

  • Don’t become too attached to your original vision.
  • Every property comes with compromises.
  • Water access mattered more to us than we initially realized.
  • The “perfect” property rarely exists.
  • Sometimes the last showing turns out to be the right one.

A Realtor’s Perspective

One of the biggest mistakes I see buyers make is becoming too focused on a single feature.

They become so committed to one location, one floor plan, or one specific vision that they overlook opportunities they never expected to love.

Keeping an open mind allowed us to find something even better than what we originally thought we wanted.

And thankfully, we decided to see just one more house.

What’s Next

In the next blog, I’ll explain why canal front turned out to be even better than riverfront and why The Cabin on the Canal ended up being the perfect fit for our family and future guests.

Thinking About Buying A Short-Term Rental?

I’d love to help you navigate the process and avoid some of the mistakes we almost made.

Ready To Experience The Cabin On The Canal?

Come enjoy Central Oregon and see why we fell in love with this special place.

Follow Along

This is part of our Building The Cabin On The Canal series, sharing the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Written by Tanya Peterson, Principal Real Estate Broker
Next Level Real Estate PNW | John L. Scott Market Center
Tanya Peterson, Principal Real Estate Broker
Next Level Real Estate PNW | John L. Scott Market Center
503-260-2164 OR Lic #200407018
ABR ~ CRS ~ GRI ~ e-Pro ~ SRES

#TanyaPetersonRealEstate #NextLevelRealEstatePNW

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