You're buying new house..what are you looking for? Update pg 5.

[Bluestars]

#1 - Location - good schools and a safe neighborhood were the top priorities
#2 - When we chose our last house and the kids were growing up in it, we needed a lot of space. I liked large bedrooms, plenty of bathrooms, garage space and parking, and a nice, fenced backyard

As far as the house itself, if I wanted one that I wouldn't be fixing up, I would choose something with kitchen cabinets that were wood and not that cheap stuff. Our old house had white kitchen cabinets, which wouldn't have been so bad if they had been real wood. But they were coated with something that peeled and yellowed. We ended up replacing them because they looked horrible after awhile.

I would also choose granite or similar kitchen countertop. No laminate floors. Preferably hardwood and tile everywhere, but carpeting if it's brand new. Old carpeting has stains and sometimes an odor, depending on whether or not the previous owners had pets.

I would prefer no wallpaper. If the house had it, I would have to take it down and then paint. That's a pain.

The roof should be in good shape.

If I had money set aside to fix up a house, then some of the above things wouldn't be deal breakers.

 

[DisneyDebbie]

For me, it was location first, then layout. I don't care about appliances, countertops, light fixtures, flooring. Those can all be changed somewhat easily. As long as I had the space I want, closets, bathrooms, bedrooms, garage, everything else would work out. I never want to be house poor, so budget is also a factor for me.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Well, if you're not sure, give yourself permission to wait, if necessary. This is way too big and serious a purchase if you're not sure.

Other things to consider:

(1) I don't recommend you do new construction for your first house. There are SO MANY decisions to make, and if you've never owned before, you don't really know if you want that third garage bay or if you'll use the master tub. Some people love an open concept floor plan, others hate it. If you like the idea of new construction, look in newer developments with houses just a couple years old.

(2) Really think about how you'll use the house. It sounds basic, but do you like entertaining? Kids in the picture, now or later? Do you like your separate spaces? Is this your final destination? You don't have to tell me the answers, you need to think about them.

(3) Will you have overnight guests on a regular basis--friends, family members that might live with you part or full time, etc.?

(4) Will this home be your last stop before the nursing home? If so, you definitely want at least a half bath on the first floor--a full bath is better. If it's a 2-story home, could you live on one level, temporarily or permanently, if need be? Along the same lines, a first (or second) floor laundry room is much better than a basement one.

I'm sure there are plenty more things to consider, those are just my first thoughts. We're on our fourth house now, and I learned something with each move/house purchase. However, the house needs for a family of 6 aren't going to help you a whole lot. I did find out that, after decades of pining for a huge jetted tub, I find I never use it. We don't have a basement, and I don't miss it. Our lot size has gotten smaller with each move, and we're fine with that. And open concept floor plans really only work if your family doesn't clutter stuff up.

Most of all, I wish you luck in this endeavor.

 

[Marchand63]

Location location location!

 

[momz]

I can tell you what our priorities are. We are in the process of building our next home. We have Been in our current home for 15 years and we feel we have outgrown it.

Our kids are both musicians , as am I. As a result, we have accumulated a number of musical instruments. Our current home does not have a dedicated space for this. When someone is practicing, anyone wanting to watch tv or talk on the phone has to go into a bedroom and close the door. Or new home solves this problem.

In regards To location, we are urban. So, for us, we prefer something that is not on the main drag, but has easy access to getting around town. A large yard isn't going to,happen in the city. the cost is too high for land, plus, yard maintainence is not a big part of our lifestyle. So a small yard is adequate. We can have a coule trees, a few shrubs and a small vegetable plot. We do, however, prefer some shade in the back yard and as much privacy as is possible. So, our new lot backs up to a wooded nature preserve. The woods are about fifty feet outside our back door...no alley!

We have a pool, playground and many friends within an easy bike ride for my kids.

ETA. We will have a garage as well as on street parking. I don't know if you are in a city or not, but if so, parking is a huge issue. Make sure you have places for guests to park, or you won't have many visitors.

 

[piglet too]

Location aside, I want a bigger kitchen with open floor plan. We host Thanksgiivng each year, and would love to have a better space for that. We also don't want stairs since we plan to stay in a new house for a long time and we are getting older, plus our dog doesn't do well with stairs and if she is still alive, they wouldn't be fair to her. Our last "big" thing is a nice yard for a garden.

 

[PrincesCJM]

Living in Maine, I realized quickly the house we bought 7.5 years ago was missing two (key) things: a garage and a backup heat source. We chose the house knowing it didn't have a garage but never thought it would cost us as much as the estimates were. Needless to say, we still don't have a garage. A backup heat source wasn't on our radar. It was a huge concern of mine until we had kids and it was predicted to be a bad ice year (I had no power at my house for a week during the Ice Storm of 1998 - thank goodness for a wood stove).

At least 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Location, schools, distance to a "big" city and work, distance from neighbors' houses

 

[MillauFr]

My goal was finding a house within walking distance of the subway station that will open soon. We lucked out. Close enough to walk but far enough away where our street wasn't rezoned to high rise apartment buildings.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

We have a two story but I insisted one bedroom be on the main level. It's helpful for older guests and helpful if one of us needs it. One of us had surgery that prevented using stairs so it was perfect.

Before buying our house, we drove thru the neighborhood on weekends to see if people were outside playing with kids etc. that was important to me.

 

[Cheetie]

The best advice I got when we were house hunting, was to walk through the house as if you were going through your normal day. Look for things you need. Is there a coat closet by the door? How is it when your schlepping in groceries, doing laundry, cooking? Is there storage for your vacuum, mops, cleaning products?? Where are the heat and AC vents and are there enough for the size of the rooms?

Imagining myself living there by "walking" through my day to day life helped narrow down our choices.

 

[RedAngie]

I'd like a house with Old World charm and lots of character, but nothing more than 5 years old because it would just be SO dated.

It would need to be move-in ready, have an open floor plan with lots of natural light, and be suitable for entertaining my hundreds of imaginary friends..

A showcase kitchen with professional grade appliances even though I can barely operate a microwave.

Withing walking distance of chic shops and trendy restaurants, but no neighbors within 1000 feet.

And of course my cat would have to approve of the place.

 

[diznygirl]

Think about living in the house.

The best advice I got when we were house hunting, was to walk through the house as if you were going through your normal day. Look for things you need. Is there a coat closet by the door? How is it when your schlepping in groceries, doing laundry, cooking? Is there storage for your vacuum, mops, cleaning products?? Where are the heat and AC vents and are there enough for the size of the rooms?

Imagining myself living there by "walking" through my day to day life helped narrow down our choices.

Exactly. We chose our house because the layout fit the way we lived.

Also check details like ceiling lights, outlets and of course where to place the Christmas tree.

 

[xlxo]

Location for me?

• good public transit
• otherwise.... doesn't take me over 30 minutes driving to/from work.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Another thing to consider, about location--give consideration to future development. All our adult life, we lived in places that were fairly stagnant--sure, a lot might get sold and a new house put in, but not any real development going on. Well, the city we live in now is exploding! It's exciting to see all the construction--both commercial and housing developments. We just got a new grocery store, 2 more are being built within walking distance, we're getting other shops, a new library, also walking distance, and a new movie theater. All started since we moved here 18 months ago!

But of course, there can be a down side. We had a 5-day house-hunting trip, and obviously, could only pick from what was available in that window. We got really, really lucky. We're on the "right" side of the main drag. We back up to a golf course--naturally, course-side houses cost more, but we got it because it was on the market (neither of us play golf). But the people across the street from us backed up to woods originally. That is, until a housing development went in, and then the grocery store went in, so they lost the woods to development. There are still some trees as a buffer, and it's still a quiet neighborhood, but they were justifiably peeved. And it's always possible that they'll sell the golf course and put in a pig farm (not realistic, I don't think, but it COULD happen!) So, you do have to think about these things--if you find a nice house that backs up to woods, ask who owns it.

 

[disney junky]

As a realtor, we usually first search by school district for people with school age children. Beyond that, style of house, age of house, and price of house. People are too often distracted by the decor and don't see the potential. And don't expect your story to match Househunters.

 

[Minnesota!]

We are starting to look, too. No real rush to move – sometime in the next 18 or so months. We can take our time finding “the one”.


Anyway, my list:


3 of the bedrooms on one level (if there are additional bedrooms elsewhere, that’s fine. I just like all of us being within earshot at night…)
2 bathrooms
2 car garage
Laundry room on main floor, or on floor by bedrooms
Fenced yard would be nice
NO CARPET IN DINING ROOM
No fireplaces
Cul-de-sac would be nice
Not looking into neighbors house from my own. We looked at a house this weekend that the yards were done so looking out at my backyard, was actually looking into my neighbor (next door!), dining room. It was gross.
Newer roof
Maintenance free siding or brick. Tired of stucco.
Not a busy street, and the street isn’t used as a short cut for anywhere.
Enough room for my kids to throw a ball around, and the driveway needs to be big enough to be a basketball court J
NO WALLPAPER!! I will never, ever buy a house with wallpaper again. Not even borders, probably.
Walkout basement. Patio/deck, preferably.

I think that’s it..

 

[HeatherC]

If you will be taking out a mortgage, what may make it easier to commit is saying to yourself....no problem....we don't own the house anyway...the bank does until we pay it off. It doesn't have to be forever.

Look upon it as "the next adventure" and buy a house that feels right when you walk through the front door. To me, it's kind of like picking a hisband...you will know its the right one...when it's the right one.

 

[cabanafrau]

The best advice I got when we were house hunting, was to walk through the house as if you were going through your normal day. Look for things you need. Is there a coat closet by the door? How is it when your schlepping in groceries, doing laundry, cooking? Is there storage for your vacuum, mops, cleaning products?? Where are the heat and AC vents and are there enough for the size of the rooms?

Imagining myself living there by "walking" through my day to day life helped narrow down our choices.

This is very good advice. While doing this think about how you would arrange furniture in the rooms and whether or not it's possible to arrange the furniture in ways you are comfortable living day to day. I always found that one of my biggest areas of focus are the location, size and functionality of the windows.

Once you've established the permanent, unchangeable things about a home meet your wants/needs and that the home is in good shape, don't be afraid to consider a home just because it needs a bit of love here and there and isn't absolutely turn key. IMO as daunting and undesirable/expensive as renovations can seem, sometimes certain projects are better undertaken yourself rather than deciding it's better to move in to someone else's completed results.

 

[SC Minnie]

Location-- for resale as well as your enjoyment.

Make a list of what you liked about all the houses you've lived in. Large living area? Master downstairs? Large laundry area? 2 car garage? Large yard? No yard?

Once you have a list of what you liked in the homes you've lived in, highlight the things that you feel are a must in your 'dream' home. For me, I would keep the list around 5 'must haves', another 5 'would be nice'.

 

[okeydokey]

The best floors, counter tops and cabinets that you can afford. Renovating is the absolute worst!