When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

What did you have on your "must have" list when looking for a house? Did you end up compromising at all?

I'm starting to fear my expectations are too high. We've looked at a bunch of houses in 3 towns. We have 2 more towns to look in this weekend. I don't plan on expanding the search to any other town. So far, we haven't found anything we love. There was one we considered putting an offer on, but we decided it wasn't for us.

First I was worried that we'd find a house quickly and would have to deal with the possibility of breaking our lease or paying rent and a mortgage for a few months. Now I'm getting worried that we're not going to find a house any time soon. Our lease is up February 1st and I really don't want to renew for another year or even try to extend it for 6 months. This process is so frustrating.

At what point, if any, did you decide to compromise on finding something that had everything you really wanted? TIA.

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

You will find during house hunting that you become more and more humbled along the way. At least I have. You have thoughts of grandure of what you'd like to live in but when you see what's out there in your price range it's a bit of a reality check.

I think, first and foremost, you should consider the property, size and location. You can pretty much always put on an extension or dormer, add a deck, put in a pool, add a bathroom or fireplace... You cannot however, move your house further from the train tracks or closer to the park if it's not there to begin with. Open your mind to the potential of a house. Most of the time you will find that houses without such amenities are priced accordingly so you will have the extra money in your budget to make a house, you may not have even looked at, exactly what you want.

But I hear ya on the frustration part. It wouldn't be so bad if I could find us a house that I love and say, sign here dear! Two sets of home standards can be exciting at times!

Make a list of pros and cons for each house and if the pros outweigh the cons and the cons can be rectified, make that a consideration!

Good luck!

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

Oh yes, I remember this feeling all to well when we first started looking. We just kept saying "how do people live" and "no this isn't for us". We didn't want to have to remodel, but guess what we are. We look at probably about 50-75 houses before we bought the house we bought. Believe me it's not a easy process. We started further out on the island, then realized it was too far from everyone and our jobs, so we changed where we were looking. We looked at about 7 different towns before we found this house. BnBdreamin is right, you have thoughts of grandure, but then reality kicks you in the butt! We tried very hard to see the potential in a house and sometimes it just doesn't work, but at least go in with an open mind and try to imagine certian things in the house in a different way that you can change over time. Well at least that is what we did. There are things we are changing before we move in and the other things will have to wait over the next couple of years when we can get to them. Pros and cons are the best bet. Don't compromise where the house is and the location you want, but the decorating and remodeling can make a whole new home for you one day. GL!

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

i agree with the PPs.

There were things I wouldn't compromise on. I wanted 2 baths and a basement and at least 3 bedrooms.

It had to be in move in condition meaning that I didn't have to gut it right away.

So that was my humbled list after all was said and done.

You wouldn't believe how hard it was to find that in our price range!

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

When we started - I wanted 3-4 bedrooms, somewhat remodelled home, or at least nothing from the 60's/70's, a garage was a must by the husband's standards and I wanted a fireplace and storage space. We wanted vinyl siding and a somewhat newer roof.

The house we bought - 4 bedrooms, house remodelled, 1.5 bathrooms, garage, basement.

I didn't get my fireplace, or any ACs, but we made do and the house is home now!

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

One more thing I could add... You may find that your must haves become adjusted after looking. Not so much a comprimise. Sure there are some things that you will hang on to. I thought I really wanted a basement. Of course I'd love one but we've seen some homes with a crawl space that also have large enough floor plan for separate kid, adult, office areas as well as storage. So, that opened up our search criteria because each house has different things to offer.

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

A few of my must-haves:

1. Over 2 acres of property

2. At least 3 bedrooms

3. Open floor plan

4. two bathrooms

5. Fireplace

We were luckly enough to get everything we wanted in our price range and feel very blessed.

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

must have

decent sized livingroom
big basement
garage

we didnt stray from this and we are in our house now and it has all of that

things i wished the house had
dishwasher
nicer kitchen this one is falling apart

my DH used to be do contracting o we just need a fixer upper

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

- property (at least half an acre)
- colonial
- 4 bdrms
- 2 + bths
- fireplace
- cac
- wood floors
- pool

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

For us location is the biggest thing, there is only one town that we will buy in. Must haves are really only at least 3BR, 1.5 baths, and at least 2 living areas (LR/Den)

You'll find your house

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

I never actually listed my must haves!

-Single family detached.
-Ground level ranch.
-2 car garage, at least for his workshop and my studio.
-3 BR, 2BA at least.
-Fireplace.
-Room for seasonal storage whether it be attic, basement, garage loft.
-Room for our boat in the winter.
-Good space/layout for entertaining, inside and out.
-Great curb appeal.
-Great school district, town, community.
-Close to family and friends.
-South shore, south of Montauk.

Oh did I mention, we found a great house that is perfect for us! Just a few tid bits of concern we are looking into before we consider an offer.

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

we WERE house hunting, and aborted our mission... it was partially out of disgust of what is out there and the ridiculous prices, and partially out of realization that we may have to move in 3 years, so it isn't a good idea to settle down right now.

When we started, we had one set of requirements (home with character, 2 bedrooms, hardwood floors, and most of all, location) we were willing to compromise on other things (gas stove, dishwasher...)

now that we stopped looking, hindsight is 20/20... yeah right, we couldn't last one DAY without a diswasher, none the less the several weeks to months it takes to remodel a kitchen. we'd kill each other or starve. And an electric stove is simply NOT an option for a couple who lives to cook..... so homes w/o gas lines = not for us.

moral of the story: don't let yourself compromise your list to the point you'll be miserable. The LI market is hideously $$$, and we all make compromises, but be true to your needs!

Message edited 9/6/2007 5:44:24 PM.

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

It's hard. We started out thinking we would find something pretty nice, or similar to the homes we had grown up in, but quickly realized that wasn't going to happen, at least not if we wanted to be in Nassau County.

Our list included:

1-Fairly Close to NYC (a plus were the homes where you could walk to the train station instead of parking)
2-Not on a busy road or near something you wouldn't want--a commercial area, a gas station, sewage treatment plants (one home we loved was a block from one), etc.
3-Good school system
4-Garage
5-Basement (at least partial)
6-3 bedrooms
7- 1 1/2 baths
8-Somewhat decent property
9-Some work was okay, but we didn't want something that would involve extensive work
10-Within our price range

We wound up finding a house with all of these things, plus gas heat, a fireplace, CAC, 2 bathrooms, a nice sized yard, beautifully landscaped front yard and patio, and at the middle of our price range. Plus, it is in a great location, one of our favorite towns and favorite parts of town.

We did compromise though. Our kitchen is very small--we will probably need to expand it in time, or knock down the dining room wall and make one larger room. The bathrooms aren't in bad shape, but they do need updating. It's also a split, which isn't our dream style, but it's fine. The appliances are functioning, but they will need to be replaced in time also. Overall though, after looking extensively, we thought this was the best we could do for our money. The location also swayed us--our home needs some work, but that we can change. The location will stay the same.

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

my must haves and DH's must haves were different lol. But in the end I won

* At least 3 bedrooms (we have 4)
* 2 full baths (got it)
*basement (got it)

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

Musts:
basement
yard
eat in kitchen
potential

Really wants:
third entrance
upstairs
storage
porch
charm

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

at least 3 bedrooms
fireplace
at least 1.5 baths
basement
attic (with flight of stairs leading up to it, no drop down stairs)

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

our must have list was small...

somethign we can afford
good 'hood, good schools
(ok so everyone wants those things)

"material" type things..

central air was a must
2 full baths was a must
dishwasher a must
no 'major' work to be done (structural etc)
2, pref. 3 bedrooms
hot tub!

ok so we got all but the hot tub.. haha
that i can easily put in myself though

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

honestly, you can't go by what others' must haves are - its a very personal thing. You have to decide what is MOST important to you, but you also have to be willing to compromise. Unless you have a sky-high budget, you will never find a PERFECT house. Get an idea of whats out there in your price range and then revise your must have list.

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

Our must haves are:
One particular town, no compromise at all!

Has to have a basement or "lower" space that isn't a main living space for a "man's room"

Prefer more than one bathroom, but not a deal breaker.

We don't want to HAVE to renovate just to be happy in the house. We want some things done - kitchen, bath, etc.

We have found that some things you compromise - like whether there is central air or walk in closets. But no matter what the true things you REALLY want will come back out.

My one piece of advice is to NOT settle on an "ok" house. We almost did that a few times and I know I would be kicking myself now!

Message edited 9/6/2007 9:20:34 PM.

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

Our must haves were:

-4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms with a walk up attic that is either finished or can be
- decent sized lot
-2 car garage
-fireplace
-nice neighborhood, good schools, nice street
-not a complete gut job

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

We are in a house now that meets our needs, but we will eventually upgrade once we can sell the house we are in. What we are looking for is:

at least 4 bedrooms - bedrooms must be on a second floor
at least 2.5 baths
attic space
basement that can be refinished if its not
eat in kitchen
2 car garage
formal dining room
decent yard that can be fenced and private - deck would be a plus
good school district
Nassau, north shore because of DH's work hours, location and commute
CAC is a must!
would prefer gas heat
no pool

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

Message edited 9/7/2007 7:53:35 AM.

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

I guess Joe and i got lucky.. the house we bought was the 4th one I saw and the third one he saw. As soon as we walked in we knew it was right.

Must Have

1. basement
2. fenced in yard
3. a/c

We had remodeling in every room, but it was worth it and much cheaper then we thought. The nice thing about remodeling is that it can be as big and expensive as you want or as small and minor as you want. We put in new flooring, added paint, added new light fixtures and ceiling fans, and gardening. In my album are some pics. I really wanted a fireplace and a larger master bedroom but I felt the compromise was worth it. Good luck and don't get discouraged......when you see the right house you'll know without a doubt! Good Luck and Happy House Hunting!!!

Re: When looking for a house, what was on your "must have" list?

Not home buying yet in terms of a house, but here's my list:

Garage with ample space for storage, too
Washer and Dryer
Lots of closets...coat closet, utility closet, linen closet, at least one closet in every bedroom and then a closet to spare!
Lots of windows
Southern exposure (I like a lot of sunlight in my home!)
Full size kitchen with gas range
Plenty of space but still cozy
A yard
A pool would not be a turn off.
NOT on a main road or too close to one.
Close to stores however.
Storage space (nice size basement)