Does a house need a formal living and dining room?

Question

I am trying to buy a house right now. The place we're contemplating has a great room attached to the kitchen. My husband and I disagree about whether or not a formal living and dining space would help/hinder selling the place later. I think it's fine not to have a formal space for either if you have a great room. What do you think? Thanks :-)

Answer 1

If you're not going to use it, a formal dining room or living room is a waste and just more to clean. I think a lot of people are starting to realize this, and aren't looking for extra formal rooms when they buy a house, because they don't need it, so not having them won't hurt when you're trying to sell.

Answer 2

I think you should buy a house because you like it, you want to live in it, and you can afford it.
You cannot predict the future so you won't know how many years you will live there and won't know what people will want in the future.
I have a living room and separate dining room. All of my time is spent in the family room and the bath room. My dining room and living room are just holding up the rest of the house.

Answer 3

I tend to agree with you. Living rooms and formal dining rooms tend to be just additional rooms that must be furnished, and have little use. I would prefer only a great room -- unless I did a lot of entertaining, in which having a dining room would be nice, but not especially necessary.

Answer 4

Only if you really want them and can afford them, when I was growing up we had both and they only got used a couple of times a year but we paid to heat and cool them and paid taxes on them for the rest of the year, so it really is up to you.