According to Troy, we still haven’t found a house to buy after two weeks of hardcore househunting sessions because my standards are too high. I disagree with that. I don’t think my standards are too high. I just know exactly what I want.
In case you want to see whether my standards are too high or not, these are my ideal house criteria, in no particular order:
- older than your grandparents, because newer houses seem to be lacking character;
- detached, because I don’t want to have to share a wall with the neighbour ever again;
- spacious rooms, because we have way too much crap to accommodate;
- at least 3 bedrooms, though if the house is exceptionally nice, 2 bedrooms would be fine;
- good-sized, fenced backyard with mature trees;
- smells nice/doesn’t smell like death by nicotine;
- carpet-free, or at least minimum carpeting;
- large kitchen, so I don’t have to be scared of being in the kitchen with Troy at the same time;
- a bathroom on the same level with the master bedroom;
- finished basement, though unfinished one would be fine as long as it can be used for (mostly book) storage;
- good privacy;
- porch or deck or sunroom for my plants;
- gas heating, preferably high-efficiency;
- newer electrical wiring, i.e. no more fuses, so the house can be easily insured;
- private driveway;
- friendly neighbourhood;
Um, I think that’s about all. Since we’re going to be stuck with the house for many years, might as well get one that’s closest to being ideal. I think it’s realistic. What do you think?
It took me a few months to find my house. If you don’t have a time crunch, take your time looking.
I agree with Missy. My wife and I purchased a great home two years ago. Everything was perfect. Turns out the neighbors are rude and it has changed how we look at our home. Take your time.
Regular reader – first time commenter from Guelph 🙂
I bought a house last december- ended up being the 2nd one we looked at on the first day of looking but it fit all the criteria my boyfriend and I were looking for. The quick find probably had something to do with my MLS browsing habits though!
http://tinyurl.com/5wdz2a
Best of luck!
Our house was the 2nd or 3rd one we looked at in Guelph, on the first day of looking. (Maybe it’s a Guelph thing?)
We just walked in and a feeling washed over us that us it was was the house for us. It just felt right. We had a reasonable list of demands, but ultimately it came down to a place that we felt comfortable in, and didn’t need a tonne of work.