I don't know how old you and your wife are and also if you have children at home. We built a fairly large 2 story with all bedrooms upstairs. At the time our children were 17 and 13 when the house was completed. The children were gone within 4 years and now we have a large house for just 2 people. Many times we have said how nice it would be to have just a smaller 2 or 3 bedroom ranch with a basement. I guess what I am saying if it will be only 8 to 10 years before the kids are grown I would look at a smaller ranch. If you are a young couple then I can see the extra space.