To ask what your priorities in buying a house would be?

[Bells3032]

If you were buying what would be your non negotiable.... And how far from a station/high street would you be willing to live?

Ballroom

1 Space
2 Light
3 Layout

Non negotiables
Must have a garden and parking, and storage space.
Must not be on a main road.

Also, proximity to town, school and swimming pool. Ideally all walking distance.

Good location
Size and number of bedrooms
Fireplace
Space for a good sized dining table
Outdoor space

I have a school aged child. My non-negotiable were excellent schools and at least 2 toilets. Anything else could be a compromise.

If we ever move again It will likely be to be near our dd when she is an adult, so school quality won’t matter. At that point I’m guessing not too many stairs And the ability to modify for mobility problems in the future might become important.

South/west facing back garden
French doors leading onto the garden

I love my location. It's not posh or smaet, but if I walk between 5 and 40 minutes I can reach a hilly, rugged park, art galleries, a major high street, a beach, historical sites and ruins, a small lake with swans, centuries-old cemeteries, theatres, cinemas...

That doesn't address the house itself, but the location is fantastic.

For me probably within a mile of shops/station/schools and not next to, or backing a public footpath.

A house itself usually has some potential to update/change size/layout etc....but location is fixed.

South facing garden

I also think it depends what you have / don't have currently.
When you currently live with (or without) any of the things people have mentioned, then it can become a really big focus in your thinking, when it never crossed your mind before you moved in.

Kitchen at the back, overlooking the garden. Ideally not facing south, I like a cool kitchen that does not have the sun pouring in the windows.
Space in the kitchen for a proper farmhouse table and chairs. Chimney essential, open fireplace or stove.
Not overlooked. Off road parking. More than one loo. Shower AND bath. Small front garden, large back garden.
I'd have liked another bedroom but I've been here nearly 30 years and it ticks all the other boxes.
Brilliant neighbours are essential too, but there's a limit to how much you can find out before committing. I'm lucky.

Oh, and not close enough to a school, railway or main road to have to hear them.

Within a mile of the coast, preferably right on the beach.
Period property.
Five or more bedrooms.

Other than that, not fussy.

• Detached (batshit crazy neighbours on the other side of our semi)
• good size south facing garden
• and top priority... absolutely got to have off street parking

South or west facing back garden
2nd toilet downstairs
detached
Stairs must be separate in a hall, not from any of the rooms

Detached
At least five bedrooms
Large garden
Double garage

Zerothly, that I'm buying it. No leasehold shenanigans or suchlike!

Firstly, neighbours who aren't shitheads. Of course all too often this is only learned too late.

Secondly, off-street parking.

Thirdly, not open plan. Open plan means you can't escape from noise.

Preferably detached
Townhouse (DD has a floor of the house to herself)
No less than 3 bathrooms
Parking for 3 cars
Integrated appliances in the kitchen
Solar panels
Decent sized garden
Lots of natural sunlight
Modern
No real concern about where I'd live. Could drive to wherever we needed

I bet big garden has massively zoomed up most people’s list since lockdown. Prices for gardens will never be the same again now.

I just hope future development takes this into account and the importance of green space is properly recognised by planners, government and councils.

First of all I would be very sure and confident I could afford it. The mortgage repayments and have a bugger especially given the times we live in now. It would need to be close to school and public transport. Detached. Garage essential.

Not on a main rd
Off street parking
2 bathrooms
Space for a dining table
Outside space
Front door NOT opening straight into lounge
Stairs NOT in lounge

@Fieldofgreycorn I don't get why people are so concerned about garden size. Sure, it is nice to be able to sit outside and for kids to be able to kick a ball but it doesn't need to be huge for that.

Lockdown has made us value our local parks more

Unless I had masses of time or a gardener I wouldn't want a huge garden either.

I have a small garden, enought space to plant, sit outside and dry laundry- it's more than enough. My house backs on to acres of native woodland, front and back, so I have all the benefit of green space, trees and wildlife without the responsibility of maintaining it.

Land
Outbuildings
Privacy
Quiet
Upstairs bathroom - not an en suite.
Off street parking if on a street.
Trees visible even if not in garden itself
Storage spaces
Entry storage - boots coats wet stuff.