House buying - best things you’ve seen that made you love a house that bit more than any others. Not deal breakers like ‘a drive way’ or ‘a big garden’, but things you weren’t expecting

[Pinklittlebird]

Just that really. Thank you 🤩

I’d love a walk in pantry. I find them very appealing.

i went to view a house that had one / they’d sort of created it with a secret door that just looked like a kitchen cupboard and i Nearly bought the house on the strength of it.

I walked in and could immediately envision where I would put my Christmas tree 😊

Period features such as stained glass etc

A round window! Such a silly little thing really, but I do my ironing in front of it overlooking the garden and it somehow makes the view even more lovely.

Fruit trees in the garden

exposed bricks with the very old local brickworks stamp on them
alcoves for dog beds with a tiny radiator
downstairs shower by the back door for hosing off muddy dogs before entering the house
a wine fridge (DH)

I peeked through the letter box of a house that was up for rent. And saw that the stairs had a turn. Di t know why but that old it too me. Rented it immediately and then bought it.

Plum trees.

In the house we are in now, the previous owner said she bought it because of the cornicing.

A brick pigsty converted into a play house complete with a little doorbell which played a tune. We bought the house and dd never used the playhouse as was worried about spiders.

150 yd back garden

A curved interior wall. Didn’t make any practical difference but added character and made the house really memorable.

My DH was sold on our house because of an interesting shelf halfway down one set of stairs, set into the underneath of the staircase above.
I was sold on the same house when I realised that the wall next to the front door/ door steps was one humongous piece of stone and somehow that felt thrilling.
Said house has been 8 years long nightmare to do up and not finished. At least we have our weird shelf and big stone though.

Ooo I’d love that too. Doesn’t need to be that big either does it.

😂😂 they make it all worth while I’m sure

😂😂 sounded good

Patio doors in the bedroom leading onto decking, then the garden. When viewing, i envisaged early morning coffees with a beautiful view of the woods behind.

We bought this house because of the big pantry. I've had people taking photos of it because it's so lovely. Actually women take photos of it, men aren't that bothered!

We’re in a new build now. I love period features like our last house but obv zero here. I’m thinking about how we can make the place more interesting. Not to sell but for us.

Met the neighbour on the drive when viewing and she was lovely. Sold!

Maybe some clever joinery to make a gorgeous pantry. We’ve got a utility room but like the rest of the house atm it’s purely functional and not a thing of beauty or interest.

Our current house - on a little dead end lane with no cars as all the houses have underground parking. When we viewed there were loads of toys out in the lane and the seller told us all the kids play out. Absolutely wonderful and such a rare opportunity for a city.

Definitely agree with a walk in pantry- particularly one with a traditional slate shelf.

Well designed, plentiful storage more generally- I often find ex-council houses can be good for this.

A utility room at a size/price point where you wouldn't expect one.

Mature fruit trees, hedging etc. in the garden.

Brick built sheds in the garden- again ex council houses sometimes have these.

Quirky period features- I saw a house once with the Anderson shelter in situ being used as part of a vegetable patch. Also, have a wealthier friend who's house has a priest hole.

A large, double shower in the ensuite. It wasn't a must have, but I loved it. Felt luxurious.

An open fire. We didn't know it if it was usable when we bought the house but it transpired that all we needed to do was remove a piece of wood that was blocking it and get a chimney sweep in. It makes winter indoors a pleasure.

Glorious!