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While some people have their hearts set on a particular neighborhood -- or even a street -- others acknowledge that budget is what's driving their choice of home.

But, sometimes it's handy to compare just what you can get at different price points. If you must have a minimum number of bedrooms, an excellent school district or perhaps a view, then reconsidering the location could help you find the home of your dreams.

The comparisons below are just a snapshot of what was offered in March. Note that for the same price (about $1,300,000), you could find a standard Los Altos rancher or a Mountain View triplex with room to rent (and share the mortgage burden).

Or, for under $800,000 you could find an entry-level cottage in Palo Alto or a good-sized home in the Slater neighborhood of Mountain View.

For less than $1,800,000, you can find homes in Palo Alto and Portola Valley with an equal number of bedrooms and bathrooms. But, offered at $25,000 more, the home in Portola Valley is newly renovated and has larger interior space.

Lastly, at $3,000,000, you can get a brand-new home in Atherton with more bedrooms and bathrooms, including larger interior space than its Menlo Park counterpart.

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