What are/were your dealbreakers when looking for a house to buy?

[YaffleYaffle]

We are would-be FTBs and after a few viewings are getting a better idea of what we need and want to avoid, but still figuring it out. So would love to know what you did/didn’t want in particular.

So far ours are:
Garage
Space for a dishwasher
Bath not just a shower
Must be able to sit opposite the TV in the living room and not have to position it at a weird angle due to doors/stairs/etc
Not too close to a busy road

What are/were yours?

room to park four cars (neighbours love us)

spare room for office

South facing garden. Now compromising on a west facing garden though

Driveway.

Garage

Not ex council.

Not on a major road.

Not near any electricity pylons ....

Driveway
front door not opening straight into living room
Flat(ish) garden (we live somewhere hilly)
Room for a dishwasher
Reasonably quiet road (we have cats)
No new builds

Garden size was key to be able to practice various dog activities we take part in
Space for 2 cars with no street parking
Storage

Our 1909 house fit the bill. There are a lot of issues we have found since moving in in January but still love it!

I knew I was likely to buy a Leasehold flat so ruled out anywhere with lifts, anywhere with cladding and prioritised viewing anything with pitched roof and reasonably new windows etc - anything that helps avoid sky high/ unexpected service charges basically!

Quiet road/street/neighbours
Detached
Driveway
Garage
A hallway (doesn't have to be big)
Room shapes that are regular (don't have to be big, no weird extensions) and functional layout especially kitchen and lounge
Back garden
No new builds

Not overlooked by other houses at the back
Drive to charge the car on
Quiet / few neighbours

Not on a busy road (been there , done that).

Outside space, 2 double bedrooms plus separate studio room, either inside or space to put outside. Separate kitchen - not one open plan living area marketed as a selling point! We may have to buy a flat rather than a house as it’s so expensive where we are moving so long lease and reasonable service charge.

4 good size bedrooms - no box rooms
2 bathrooms
Good storage
Side access for bikes.

We don't have a car so weren't fussed about parking etc

Current house was a landing window, a drive and a garage or room to build a garage. If ex LA adjoining house had to be bought. Got the landing window and a garage with no planning permission. Sellers lied and next door is still council occupied. Next house is detached with garage and space to extend garage and massive garden for dogs.

Drive/off road parking
Garage
Garden
3 beds
Front door not opening on to lounge
Stairs not in the lounge

Must be detached
Garage
Quiet area
3 beds
Garden

The house we live in now was chosen because of primary school catchments. We're still here and the children are 21 and 19! .

We wouldn't buy it again - too big and too many stairs. I also hate the layout (Victorian terrace) narrow and deep, all the downstairs rooms are in a row with the kitchen out the back down a flight of stairs. Narrow hallway.

I'll definitely not be buying a Victorian terrace next time.

Not bothered about a bath, but shower/wet room.
No decking.
Garden must be at least 50% grass. I hate concreted over gardens.
No galley kitchens
Plenty of storage. A garage is a bonus (don't drive)
No soulless extension with bifold doors. A conservatory is acceptable.

I'm in my 40s and looking to settle somewhere into my dotage so it has to be an "easy to manage" place.

Oh, and quiet. I live next to a major road now and it's too noisy.

Detached or semi
Within 5-10 minutes of a major motorway (commuters/holidays)
Garden
Deal breakers near a school

Off street parking
does not open out directly onto the street - hate these new build houses with no front gardens
big enough bedrooms - space for a bed and a wardrobe not either or
garage or storage to put all our junk
utility room - so washing machine isn’t in kitchen - especially if open plan
quiet area

Our list was: properly detached, 3 doubles, room for a study or garden office, utility, large garden, garage and downstairs toilet. We ended up building our own garage but it was worth it as we love our home.

DP wanted a garage and off street parking.

I have a weird thing about the location of stairs. I don’t like the stairs being by the front door, I need them to be ‘inside’ the house. Luckily I like 60s builds and this is pretty common.

Needed a nice area where the cats would be safe. No busy roads, etc.

Must haves we had were:

Bath and shower not just a shower
Min 3 bedrooms
Separate kitchen and living room.
Fast speed Internet as we wfh.
Nice family friend area.
Garden

Nice to have:
Utility room
Big garden
Semi detached or detached
Driveway
2nd toilet or bathroom

Driveway for 3 cars
garage
detached
not overlooked/as few neighbours as possible
a street that’s not suitable or safe for kids to play out on!

Windows not too overlooked by neighbours, not busy road/little road noise, walking distance to a shop and school, 4 bedrooms.

Driveway, detached, utility, able to extend, good school catchment, garden, garage.
We extended after being in our house 13 years, now it's all we'll ever need ... til we downsize in our retirement

South facing garden