How the Oscars Are Like Buying a New Home

Buying a new home is all about decisions and so are the Oscars. Choosing the right home is like the end all award for best picture. After looking at several properties or films, buyers may narrow down their selection to nine, just like the nominees for this year's best picture. You've got "Amour," the artist's retreat. Then there's "Life of Pi," the waterfront oasis. "Argo" is the home with a sizeable guest house. "Lincoln" is the two-story Colonial. "Beasts of the Southern Wild" is the coastal bungalow. "Silver Linings Playbook" is the trendy townhouse. "Django Unchained" is the sizeable plantation. "Zero Dark Thirty" is the secluded fixer-upper, and "Les Miserables" is the French country house.

Now comes the short list. Which homes really have what it takes to make the cut for a homebuyer in Hampton Roads? A buyer's top three may look like this:

• The Colonial. Just like "Lincoln" appealed to both critics and audiences alike, the Colonial style house is always a crowd pleaser along the East Coast.
• The coastal bungalow. When buying a home, these properties can certainly attract attention. But just like in "Beasts of the Southern Wild," storms do occur, so make sure your new home is built to withstand wind, rain and flooding.
• The trendy townhouse. This type of attached housing is common in cinema and Hampton Roads. Townhomes can certainly take home the Oscar for affordability.

Now which home will finally win? Mull this decision over while watching the Oscars ceremony and enjoying some buttery popcorn. Buying a home doesn't have to be complicated; the process can be as fun as rooting for your favorite movies during the Oscars.