If you were to buy a house what would you want in it?

Question

I am at a point where we have moved so many times I just can't decide. No less than 5 acres, 4 to 5 bed rooms. Min of 2 baths. Central Air, dishwasher, stove, & fridge. He has to have a barn and a garage.

The real estate agent said he needs more of a detailed list. Have any other ideas? I thought this would be enough to go on but I guess not.

The houses around this area are rather small so it looks like I am going to end up building. They showed me a house with 4 bedrooms 1200 st ft. Tiny. I have to have at least 3500 sq ft. But I guess I am looking for answers that would make the house more functional. Would you want walk-in closets? His and her closets? Finished basement, garage attached or not, etc...

Answer 1

i would want......

a dishwasher on each side of the sink, so i never have to put the dishes away.

if the bedrooms are upstairs, i want the laundry room upstairs, why carry it downstairs, then back up?

or how about a dumbwaiter ? from basement to kitchen to upstairs.

1st floor master bedroom.. or an elevator, so.... 1st floor master bedroom

separate circuits in the kitchen so using the coffee maker and the toaster and the microwave at the same time doesn't trip a breaker

gfci's installed in the bathroom and kitchen

no gfci protection for the refrigerator

outside outlets, at least 2 on each side of the house, gfi protected from the inside

hose hookups in at least 2 places near the house, so garden hoses arent strewn everywhere.

water to the barn

access road to the barn

cleanup sink in the garage

outside shower

mother in law suites for 2 mothers-in-law that don't get along

geothermal heating/cooling

dual fuel range

2 built in microwaves

hidden passages so I can hide from intruders.... or those mothers-in-law

make sure the firewall between the house and attached garage is up to code

Give the realtor my list, they'll love yours.

Answer 2

The information that you are giving him doesn't tell him the style of house you want, IE ranch style, nor the number of floors. It says nothing about the layout of the house nor the square footage you want. You should start by measuring your current home and deciding how much space you need for your new home. Then give some thought to the floor plan you would like (go ahead and make a rough drawing). Would you like to have the master bedroom on the opposite end of the house from the others, a separate bathroom for the master bedroom? How large a bathroom? What you have given him is like going into a restaurant and trying to order a ground quadrupedal mammal on bread with cheese. That might be a cheeseburger, or it could be muskrat, or possum. How many of what it has is almost no information.

Answer 3

Windows! I want my house to have a million windows in every room to let the light in. What about pool/jacuzzi/rec. room? Those are important when you're looking at houses. Also, think about location. Do you want to be on a back road or a main highway? What about square footage? You can fit 4-5 bedrooms with room enough for a bed and a light into a smallish house, but rooms you can live in means more footage. What about storage space? How many closets, cabinets, etc. do you need? Do you need an attic to store your Christmas decorations? There's lots of things you can think about to narrow things down.

Answer 4

Appliance upgrade allowance
quality cabinetry
millwork through main entertaining rooms
energy audit with inspection
hardwood floors
walk in pantry
laundry ROOM (not just a closet)
fireplace(s)
landscaping per your taste
walk in shower and bath tub
jack and jill sinks in bathrooms
half bath / powder room
wired for digital equipment in all main rooms for tvs, comps etc
painting allowance if walls have been painted in unappealing colors
large out door living space for entertaining (patio or decks)
plenty of in house storage on living levels (not just attic and basement)
"safe" room if in area subject to severe weather
prewired for secuirty

Answer 5

Minimum Sqare Footage???
Large Kitchen is a must!
Formal Dining Room?
Expandable area?

Answer 6

Do you want your stove/oven, heating, and water heater powered by electricty or gas?

How many floors?

What type of flooring? In what rooms? Fireplace? Acreage?

Windows? Some people are adamant about double-paned windows.

Do you want a deck or a balcony?

If you want acreage - do you want it all cleared? flat? rolling? wooded? partially wodded? any water (stream, creak, pond, etc)?

Kitchen - breakfast bar or island? Cooktop in the island? One oven or two? Trash compactor?

Great room? Family room AND formal living room?? Separate formal dining room?

Do you want a mud room or a foyer? A porch? A sunroom?

Paved or cemented or dirt driveway?

Do you want to be on a well or on city water? Septic or city sewage?

Just a few things to think about ;)

Answer 7

That seems pretty detailed to me. Maybe if you want a dining room or not. Keep in mind you can add the barn if necessary. Ask the Realtor what other details he wants since he told you that.

Answer 8

I want a house with a urinal. How cool would that be???

Anyway, It shouldn't be hard for him to find a home to fit your criteria if don't give him many details.

Answer 9

Get another agent. There are many that can help you with just the information you wrote. Have a great year.

Answer 10

uh.....I'd be happy with one bedroom....and more than two closets in the house.

Try being happy with what you have - its easier than moving that much stuff that you need to fill a house that big, y'know?