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?

First house (after looking and ruling things in and out)
Detached
En-suite
Double width drive
3-4 beds

This was 2002, we got this for £80k.

Next house.
Detached
2 bathrooms
4 bedrooms
Double width drive
2 reception rooms

We got the first two, however I love the house and was quite prepared to rip the list up. On paper it is not want we wanted at all, even the 2nd bathroom is a compromise (downstairs) but I am so happy here, I was never happy in the first house despite living there for 16 years.

...odd to find these posts 'funny'.

I don't have a unlimited budget but my list is in keeping with it, and it's definitely not in a dull, remote, shit area.

Over the years I have loved in several houses and flats. This time I believe I am buying my forever home. I recognise I am lucky that I earn a good wage but I do live in the South East so the prices aren't great!

My main priority was location in a specific village near family. Then I wanted the space for 2 large bedrooms and at least one small for visiting mum.

I wanted the space to install or actually have a toilet on each floor because I currently have bladder issues.

I didn't want new build ideally as the 2 I have had have been very loud and not soundproofed.

I wanted sun in the garden some of the day, I wasn't too hung up of an exact facing garden but I like washing to dry.

Off road parking or the ability to create it as my last house was in front of a green and I am on my own with a child shaving to decide whether to carry a child or the shopping in first is never great and at the moment i am in a flat with no lifts.

The right feel. It's not the decor it's, and I am going to sound strange, but it feels like it's home. My last house had purple and orange walls and orange dog and cat urine soaked carpets and I still got the feeling.

Nice to haves were already installed central heating, a loft, space for coats/shoes and a space I could share with my child so he can play and I can do a hobby or something without us being in separate rooms.

I think I have found the perfect property but I won't believe it until its finally mine.

Love these threads - always a good reminder of how many people would never buy my house 😂

school catchment - best secondary catchment in the city, shocking lack of secondary places here and this is the only outstanding secondary with a near guaranteed catchment area

space/size - we were desperate for this and love/use every square foot

area - best area for families in this city, near a Waitrose, lovely neighbours, near huge amounts of outside space and playgrounds etc

Victorian house so high ceilings, pretty brick work etc

commute is less than 2 miles for me and DH

not a main road

For all that we traded down to small north facing garden, no driveway or garage, is a 90s magnolia hell hole (but easily changed), have a front and rear dormer so the roof line is ugly. Plus it’s a terrace and my otherwise lovely neighbour does shout at her kids a lot.

I bloody love it and feel so, so lucky to have it. Paid through the nose for it but we never have to move (finances allowing).