We looked at three houses yesterday.

The first was not too far from my home. It was built in the 20’s and has been remodeled a time or two. It has a garage in the back yard that would make a fine studio/shop. The lot is small (a plus) and it is fenced. The downsize is that the house is 1200 square feet. Could Shar fit into that space. The price was right but it is essentially a one bedroom house with an office.
Verdict: If Shar can fit it would work well for us.

House two was 10 or 11 miles away. Same vintage, but much larger.
Two story with a quaint rather diminutive kitchen. Two baths, but not terribly wonderful. A small two story garage that looks totally out of place. The lot is big, wrapping around the neighboring tiny house.
Great project for someone with ambition and a bit of cash. We have some cash (very finite) and less ambition than we might have had a decade ago.
Verdict: Not for us.

House three was on an acre lot. It had a carport by the house, a barn and a nice sized metal shop. The lot was fenced with a block wall across the front of the lot.
Some previous owner had spent a pile of money putting on new stucco. But the house had been vandalized and would require a lot of work to get it habitable, and it was in a deteriorating neighborhood.
Verdict: No. Definitely.

But, Shar keeps bidding on  a house around the corner from where I live now. Three bedroom 60’s. Two car garage, parking and a decent metal shop. The downside is that the occupant seems to be a hostile renter, meaning that you might have to force them out, and while they are paying no rent the forcing process can take some time.
And because the renter is not cooperating (or seems so at this point), we cannot see the inside.
Verdict: It seems to be a decent house for us.

So the search and the financial gymnastics continue. Shar purchased the house we live in now from a bank last June. She had spent several months fencing with the bank before they arrived at an acceptable price.