Things about my house that I like (had it built)
Fireplace...what can I say, I love a great fire
A three season porch instead of a deck...we use it so frequently, even in the winter, that it's just like a regular room
Painting the interior white until I had a chance to see how the light patterns from the windows worked for a full year...seasons really do make a difference on the way light works the room and I'm so glad I waited
Making public rooms bigger and private rooms smaller...I'd rather have a bigger living room and smaller bedroom since I spend more time in my living room (with my eyes open)
Closets and storage...figure out how much you really need and multiply it by 2
Spend money on the windows...it pays off in your heating/cooling bill
Spend money on the carpet pad but not the carpet...especially if you have children. It's going to be replaced sooner than later so spending big bucks initially makes no sense.
Recessed lighting...worth every penny!
You can never have too many electrical outlets.
Multiple spouts for water on the outside of your house. I have one on each side of my house and it's terrific! No more lugging a hose half way to the moon to set up the slip and slide!
And hot and cold water spigots in your garage...a godsend for washing the salt off your car in the winter. And a central vac outlet in the garage for the car as well.
Having ceiling fans in each room even though we have central air...has really been great in keeping the air circulating and the house cool with or without the a/c on.
Less grass and more flowers/shrubs and trees. Lower maintenance and prettier view in your yard.
Leave as many trees as possible on your lot. It's easier to cut them down once you are there than to wait for them to grow to what they once were.