What's on your "must have" list when buying?

[vanillahip]

We passed on the home mentioned in a previous post, it was listed as 4/2 and CLEARLY has just 3 bedrooms (wtf, sellers?!) but since we're pre-approved and are interested in buying again anyway we're going to keep looking.

So I'm typing up our must-have list for our BA and trying to keep it in perspective. I don't think it's very long? (# of baths, general sq footage and size of yard, 2 car garage, separate bedroom or office space for H's edit suite- dear god not next to the master any more!!- and w/ in walking distance to one of 3 cute little downtown areas near us) I'm a little afraid of being a PITA buyer, I love our agent and want to keep her as happy with us as we are with her!

So what's on your list? I'd love to see what other people are requiring, hopefully it'll make me feel better? LOL

[Pom]

3-4 bedrooms, we need an office space
less than 2500 SF if possible (we don't have kids and don't want a giant house for a/c cost)
2+ baths
Decent size garage with some area for storage
Functional kitchen
Good Lay-out
No Major renovation required (we've seen some hideous bathrooms)
Patio, pool (although we are prepared to build the pool dependant on house price)

[demandypants]

we already bought, but we wanted a minimum of a 2 car garage, a family room, floor plan conducive to entertainment without being wide open. Nothing too much bigger than we already had (for heating/cooling costs) but a yard that was at least as good as what we already had (large flat usable back yard with some privacy). Something we could be in long term without feeling like we had way more than we needed really.

[housegeek]

Ours was land and location. Then bedrooms, minimum 3, a laundry room, and preferably 2 living spaces, which in our case ended up being a FROG and a living room. Also had to be basically turn key, as we had no interest in renovating with a 3 and 4 year old.

[minniebee]

We already bought, but we had a pretty long list of must-haves. Don't feel bad about being picky, unless you're asking for things that are unreasonable within your price range. You want to be happy with your house.

Most realtors will appreciate having a detailed list of must-haves anyway, it saves them time by not showing you houses that you won't like. The more info they have, the less likely you'll have to tour dozens of houses you don't want to buy.

[mnvegas]

We are building a house in FL and on our list:
Location within 30 minutes to airport since DH will have to fly back to RI for business every month or two.
3 bed or 2 bed w/den, approx 1400-1500sf
2 full baths
garage
screened in patio/lania
Since this will eventually be our retirement home, we also wanted lots of onsite amenities like pools, clubhouse, gym, tennis, clubhouse for functions, walking trail, golf course or close to golf.

[lmdbww]

Our want list: 3-4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, larger kitchen w/pantry, everything finished, 2 car garage, great outdoor entertaining space. and most importantly, something that didn't need work that we could move right in to.

The house we are closing on in 2 weeks has everything on our list, plus an extra half bath, laundry on bedroom level, walk in master closet, and a larger master bath.

The only thing that I am still sort of disappointed about is that the attic is not usable at all for storage but we are gaining a garage so I think it will be fine.

[kaylie]

We already bought, but this was our list:

4 bedrooms
2500+ square feet
master bath
large master closet
updated windows
top rated school district
basement (unfinished would be okay)
no major work needed in the immediate future (roof, hvac, other major systems)

What we ended up with:
4 beds, 2.5 baths
3000 sq feet
master bath and decent sized master closet (though I wish we had his and hers)
updated windows
top rated school district
finished basement
needs a hot water heater
two car garage (a nice to have)
fenced yard (awesome bonus that i'm thrilled about)

[mrs.jacinthe]

Must have:
-At least 2 bedrooms plus room for an office somewhere.
-Efficient kitchen with enough counter space.
-Backyard for our dog.
-2 bathrooms at the minimum.
-2 car garage

WANT:
-3 bedrooms AND an office (instead of 3 bedrooms with one BEING an office)
-1/2 an acre or more
-Unincorporated area
-3 car garage or room for a workshop separate from garage
-Separate family room, dining room, and living room.
-Gas or electric fireplace(s)

[jewel]

We aren't planning to buy again for a couple of years, but I'm constantly working on our list of "Must Haves, Would be Nice, and Dealbrealers."

Our Must Haves include:
- A specific area of town
- At least 3 bedrooms + office/den
- HUGE kitchen
- 3+ car garage
- Minimal updating needed (hopefully none)
- Bigger yard than we have now

Want:
- Public utilities
- Laundry room on the same floor as bedrooms
- RV access
- Large pantry
- No pool
- Double oven
- No previous smokers
- Low or no HOA dues

My perferred items list is much, much longer, with a smallish dealbreaker list. I fully plan to turn over these crazy lists to our agent, when the time comes. Like PP said, I think it's in everyone's best interest to make these things clear from the beginning, and avoid wasted time.

Never feel badly about being picky with the biggest purchase of your life.

[nextchapter]

Must Have
-2-3 medium-large bedrooms
-1.5 baths or 1 bath with room to add a 1/2 bath
-private garage with private driveway (it's commom for garages and/or driveways to be shared here)
-full, unfinished basement
-good overall floorplan and good layout in kitchen and bath
-sound structure
-walking distance to transit

Nice-To-Have
-newer plumbing, electrical, roof, HVAC, water heater
-attached garage (very uncommon here)
-new or recently refinished hardwoods
-fenced yard
-updated kitchen & bathroom

[msmerymac]

- 4 bedrooms, at least 1.5 baths (if the half can be turned into a full, that's better. If there's a master bath, that's better. If there's a master bath, a "family" bath and a guest bath, that's best).
- formal dining room
- garage or covered parking
- space for library/office (will also accept being able to convert a formal living room, basement, 5th bedroom, etc)
- conveniently located to neighborhood amenities
- at least 2000 sq ft
- newer electrical, plumbing, water heater, roof
- not an open floor plan
- ample kitchen cabinet and counter space

Nice to have:

- fireplace
- built before 1930
- fenced yard
- in-house laundry (not garage)
- hard wood floors

[candreco]

Our must-haves were that the house was in a condition that we could move into without having to do work beforehand and available for move-in quickly since the clock was ticking down on the date that we have to be out of our current house (we have 30 days after closing to move out), it had to have 3 bedrooms plus a space for a home office (potentially just a 4th bedroom), natural gas heating and preferbly cooking too, a separate family room, preferably on a lower level, and some outdoor space with some privacy from the neighbors. Nice to haves were a garage (1 or 2 car), a fifth bedroom, master suite, updated kitchen.

The house we're under contract on hits everything on both lists except the updated kitchen, but the kitchen is perfectly functional as it it even if the surfaces aren't particularly durable, and gives me the opportunity to renovate it to whatever I want it to be ;D.

[lolc]

I'm amused reading this because I just came across a document in Word, that I had typed up, 1 month before we bought our very first (and current) home. Going to copy and paste:
3+ bedroom
2+ bathroom
1+ car garage
Concrete construction
NO HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION
GOOD, QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD
Some space between neighbors – I don't like homes that are so close together you almost can't differentiate that they are single family properties!


The non-negotiable items are:
Bedrooms – MUST BE AT LEAST 3
Bathrooms – Must be AT LEAST 1.5
QUIET, LOW CRIME NEIGHBORHOOD

Negotiable items are:
Homeowner's association – if the house is nice enough I may agree
Garage – I'd like a 1 car garage, but if the house is nice enough and in a nice enough location, I'll settle for a carport, or detached garage, even a parking pad if necessary

------Funny to me now, because our requirements have changed drastically. We were looking in a "city" in the Tampa area, where most of the homes are well over 20 years old.
I thankfully got all that I was looking for - EXCEPT the concrete construction. We ended up in an old wood frame house.

[lolc]

Sorry hit post too soon! I should add that I wrote that list up in 2005. We were 24, had a four month old son at the time.

Now we are a family of 5, with 2 school age boys, and a 20 month old girl. LOCATION was the biggest factor.

My NEW list of requirements and wish list (after doing a TON of research on the best public schools in the area, etc):
Must be in a specific zip code
Must be zoned for 1 of 2 preferred elementary schools
Concrete construction
4+ bedroom
2+ bath
2100+ square feet
2+ car attached garage
Must be visually appealing to me (this sounds like a no-brainer, but our current house wasn't all that appealing on the outside and I have never liked the way it looked
Quiet, nice family neighborhood - quality place
No crime/very little crime
No sex offenders close by
No alleys


Wish list:
4+ bedroom with bonus room or 5+ bdrms
3+ car garage
2500+ square feet
Pool
between .25 or .75 lot size
Newer construction

The house we are contracted to buy (if we ever hear back... it's a short sale, ugh) has everything in my requirements, and many in my wish list!! 2448 square feet, 4 bed + bonus room, 3 car garage, pool, .23 lot size and concrete construction. Weeee!!!

We did have to make some exceptions though. Without even having had an inspection done yet, we KNOW the roof is nearing the end of its life. We didn't want to buy a house we would have to replace the roof on, but to get everything else on our requirement list and then some, it's a small concession I am willing to make. Also, it was built in the 90's so not very new, but the layout is perfect, some updates have been made, and the things that haven't been updated we are fine with, because we can update the way we want.

We hope to hear back any day. We've been waiting for over 2 months now.

[smucky]

May 15, 2012 12:31:15 GMT -5 minniebee said:

Most realtors will appreciate having a detailed list of must-haves anyway, it saves them time by not showing you houses that you won't like. The more info they have, the less likely you'll have to tour dozens of houses you don't want to buy.

I agree with this!!!

Our must-have list:
-at least 3 bed/2 bath (prefer 4 bed)
-2 car garage (prefer attached)
-at least 1500 sq ft (prefer 2k)
-non-stinky (i.e. smoker owners)
-backyard (preferably wood-fenced)
-full size laundry in house or attached garage
-gas heat (prefer gas cooking also)
-updated windows or price allowance to update them
-not in a flood zone
-NO POOL
-decent sized kitchen with a window
-access to garage separate from back yard (so our current cat/ future dog won't escape/get hurt when we pull in. I know this is weird but I'm a crazy dog person.)
-sufficient closet/storage space

The good news: We are under contract to buy a house with all of the above!! ;D

[stephm0188]

Must Have
2 story home less than 20 years old
No split levels.
2 car attached garage
Master upstairs
Quiet street in family friendly neighborhood in top rated school district
Large, level yard
4bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2000 sq ft
Full finished basement for my home business.

Would like to have:
2nd floor laundry
white trim and cabinets
Large windows
Separate tub and shower in master bath
Fireplace
Mudroom

We ended up with everything except the mudroom and full finished basement. Not having a basement is a little bit of a regret, but we do have a bonus room over the garage for my workspace.

[danielle]

I am new to here but would love to play. We aren't planning to move soon but I definitely have a growing list and am keeping an eye on houses in the area.

Must Haves:
3+ bedrooms
2+ bathrooms
Walk-out basement (otherwise I feel we wouldn't use it)
3 car garage
Specific area of our current town
Kitchen pantry
Laundry on bedroom level, ideally in/off of master bath or closet.
Fireplace

Want:
4 bedrooms
I really want 2-3 full baths and 1-2half for a total of 4. One for master, one for our son (we know how messy boys are! Then a guest 1/2 bath and maybe another 1/2 in basement.
Fenced in yard
close to walking/bike trails
Open floor plan for kitchen to dining and living rooms
Landscaped (at least somewhat)
large walk in pantry
Large kitchen
Finished basement
Wet bar or kitchen in basement
Hardwood floors
Updated kitchen with cabinets and counters that I like/love

[Deleted]

must have:
family room
open floor plan
2 car attached garage
basement
master bath
walk in master closet
public utilities
laundry on 2nd fl with bedrooms
natural gas heat
central A/C
tilt in windows for cleaning


Couldnt find what we wanted so we built. We got ALL we wanted!

[hellzkitten]

We are still in the saving mode, but here is the list of what we are looking for:

Must haves:
- 3+ bedrooms
- 1.5 bathrooms
- 1100+ Sq ft
- Central A/C
- Gas heat
- laundry not in basement
- Kitchen/dining/living area good for entertaining (for family events)
- Yard (prefer fenced in back yard)
- Driveway

[lurkergirl123]

We just bought recently, but here was my list:

Must-have:
Four bedrooms or three bedrooms and a bonus room (A bedroom for each child, the master, and since I work from home I needed a dedicated office space)
At least two full bathrooms
2 car garage
No city taxes
Within my targeted school zone


Would be nice to have:
Formal dining room
Laundry room
Jetted tub in the master bath
Walk-in closets
Fenced back yard
Nice pantry

The only thing I ended up not getting was a full laundry "room". We have a nice laundry closet, with cabinets, but it's not a separate room.