house hunting - what's on your must have list!

[autumnin2winter]

Currently looking for a new house and finding it so hard. I started with a 'must have' list of about 10 things (which i now laugh at!) and it's slowly whittled down because a) i can't find anything in the teeny tiny self imposed area of the map I am looking on or b) DH has veto'd it.

Essentials currently are - a drive and a downstairs toilet.

Tell me your MUST HAVES?

Shaboohshoobah1 - yes, it definitely depends of budget. None of my 10 were unreasonable in the sense that I wasn't putting swimming pool or beauty and the beast library on the list. But we are looking in a small area and our budget mostly get's us a 1930's house so some things (like detached or utility room had to go).

My list was:

• south west facing garden
• 3-4 bedrooms
• kitchen you can eat in
• walking distance of train station
• walking distance of decent pub with food
• walking distance of useful shop (late opening corner store)

I sacrificed the kitchen, got everything else in the end, but I was living in rented and had time to be picky

@autumnin2winter maybe look at houses with option to redo bits or extend. If you get a good deal on the buy it could be wirth it aslong as you don't go over the price ceiling on the street.

At least 2 bedrooms.
Large enclosed garden.
Not directly off a busy street.
Quiet, good area.
Detached.
Stairs suitable for someone with mobility issues/bungalow.
Old house with tall rooms.
Downstairs toilet.
Decent neighbours.

South facing garden
Eat in kitchen
Decent bedroom sizes
Garage for junk

Didn't get, 2nd loo or parking

Downstairs loo
Open plan kitchen diner with french doors onto the garden
A driveway
Quiet area with few neighbours
An entrance hall
A lovely big secluded garden
A nice leafy location

I moved from a two bed with none of the above to a three bed with all of the above.

Im now looking for a four bed with all the above plus a garage. We’re never happy are we!

If I were house hunting again, my list would be:
-Parking for at least 2 cars and no rights of ways/shared driveways
-A good size garden
-4 bedrooms (with at least 1 ensuite)
-Kitchen with an island and stove
-Toilet downstairs
-A Bath
-Near work and school
-Privacy

My next move will be my last and the home to last out the rest of my days.
I want 3 beds, garden but not too large, off road parking and if possible a garage, NOT open plan, lounge and dining room, quiet road no where near a school, walking distance to town and not too far from the station.
I wouldn’t mind if it needed some work like a new bathroom or kitchen and decorating bringing up to date but must be liveable.

ohhh i have just found something on rightmove that isn't 1930's and ticks a lot of boxes!!

there might be hope yet! :)

Dontsweatthelittlestuff - i think this is why it's stressing me so much, i don't want to move again for a long long time!

Big garden
2 reception rooms
Big kitchen
We compromised on the 2 reception rooms in the end as our new house is open plan

River/sea view. Several outbuildings. Walking distance to a town with great pubs.
Never. Going. To. Happen.

Our essentials were semi, ORP X 2, second loo.

We compromised on the second loo for lovely road close to everything, big living room, huge windows, nice feel. Never regretted it, we loved that house and were very happy there. I think sometimes having to compromise kind of makes you love it more. However we did move 5 years later, and if we'd had that 2nd loo we might have chosen to stay.

Mixer taps.

Mine are:

• Large enough livingroom for sitting area, bookcases and home office
• Utility room
• Room for a dishwasher or one already build in
• Enough light
• Neighbors or passers by not being able to look in when I have the curtains open

Wants:

• A nice view
• A garage
• Large bedroom
• Guestroom

Musts were:

Move in condition
Minimal decorating
A drive (area terrible for parking)
Three bedrooms
Right location in area we were looking

Wants:
Three double bedrooms
Decent garden
Character
Great kitchen
Good transport

We got all of our musts, and all but the double bedrooms of our wants. Kind of regretting the 'decent' garden. It's a PITA looking after it, we're not gardeners by nature!

A driveway for me / parking space. Getting home and not being able to park near your own house is so annoying, especially with baby, pushchair, shopping etc.

My absolute must have is a shower. Never have a bath.

Definitely a porch or open hallway large enough for the pram and bags when you first get in from a day out. We haven't got any room other than our corridor hall way and the bottom of the stairs and it is an utter nightmare when trying to get everything in the house.....especially when it's raining 

DAMJ

YES! I forgot hallways. 100% essential.

Lots and lots of characterful Victorian terraces local to me that I dismissed entirely because I we are just not disciplined enough to tidy everything away immediately (lots had coat racks in the back of the kitchen - ours would 100% be on the sofa). They had no hallways, and often far less furniture than we can fit in our smaller lounge, just because you have to leave paths clear.

I just got mine :)

My list was:

~side by side parking (and double garage) so no juggling cars about in the morning
~separate bathroom for the kids plus a downstairs loo
~sewing room for me (this was top of my list, but not on anyone elses - I bagged the study)
~play room for the youngest (actually the 'dining room' but we don't need one of those)
~double bedroom for both kids
~walk in wardrobe (that wasn't actually on my list, but I got one anyway)
~detached
~medium sized garden that isn't overlooked.
~room for tumble drier indoors
~room for a table in the kitchen

Old build + South-facing garden

oh, and it had to be light. Our old house was dark and dingy

Never had a must have list. Currently in our 2nd house and with both this one and the previous one we just went by falling in love with the house... pretty much love at first sight :)

we will hopefully be looking next year wishlist is
at least two bedrooms so one can be used for OHs office
a decent sized kitchen
a garage for the motorbike
a reasonable sized garden