The problem with 2) is that it's really easy to get up-sold. It may be better to just take a year cooling-off period.
In general, if you are not in a rush to buy, you have a tremendous advantage over sellers. With $2M in the bank, the OP should feel no rush to buy a place.
The other thing is that if, for instance, you buy a house and haven't owned a house before, it's a significant lifestyle change.
That can be great -- it was for me, but there will be a lot of maintenance. I've been lucky enough to have parents in-law who have helped with (um ... done) all of my renovations.
I do sometimes pine for the apartment / condo + mattress + kickass computer lifestyle, but less and less now that my house is set up.
In general, if you are not in a rush to buy, you have a tremendous advantage over sellers. With $2M in the bank, the OP should feel no rush to buy a place.
The other thing is that if, for instance, you buy a house and haven't owned a house before, it's a significant lifestyle change.
That can be great -- it was for me, but there will be a lot of maintenance. I've been lucky enough to have parents in-law who have helped with (um ... done) all of my renovations.
I do sometimes pine for the apartment / condo + mattress + kickass computer lifestyle, but less and less now that my house is set up.