Our house buying journey started t h r e e years ago. It's hard to believe its been that long! When we first started looking at homes my husband, Pier and I made a "must-have" list and a "would be nice" list. Essentially these lists were composed of features we really, really wanted in a home and features that would be nice, but weren't necessarily imperative.
Our must-have's:
~ three bedrooms on the same floor
In the beginning this was one feature I could not compromise on. I really wanted the home we purchased to have three bedrooms. In the little city we live in (and where we primarily looked at for-sale homes) it's very trendy for there to be two small bedrooms on the main floor and then a bedroom, sometimes two, in the basement OR the master bedroom and ensuite would be on one floor and two smaller bedrooms on another. When/if we have another little one, I have never loved the idea of Colden's bedroom (or a new baby's room) being on a different floor then ours. I'm not opposed to my littles sharing a room but the bedroom would have to be able to accommodate a crib AND a toddler bed, at the very least. I'm not gonna lie, this must-have and my unwilling to compromise vetoed out a lot of homes. A L O T.
~attached garage
We live in Canada. In our winters a garage is a MUST. Not only does the garage protect vehicles from the snow, wind and other elements but it is a huge time saver. Especially in the morning when we're already pressed for time. And I am ALL about that! Pier is a jack-of-all-trades handyman and I'm quite a pack-rat so it's nice to have that little bit of extra storage and space for his tools and my accumulation of 'treasures'! I would have preferred an attached garage but as you can see in the would be nice list, I would definitly compromise on a detached garage
We live in Canada. In our winters a garage is a MUST. Not only does the garage protect vehicles from the snow, wind and other elements but it is a huge time saver. Especially in the morning when we're already pressed for time. And I am ALL about that! Pier is a jack-of-all-trades handyman and I'm quite a pack-rat so it's nice to have that little bit of extra storage and space for his tools and my accumulation of 'treasures'! I would have preferred an attached garage but as you can see in the would be nice list, I would definitly compromise on a detached garage
~a big yard (ideally with a fence)
This pretty much speaks for itself. We both really wanted a huge yard that the kids can run and play and imagine in! But the fence is a must to keep little ones safe and it has the added benefit of privacy. Plus, a big yard is nice for entertaining and I really love having the freedom to add a deck, or raspberry bush, or garden without compromising play space.
This pretty much speaks for itself. We both really wanted a huge yard that the kids can run and play and imagine in! But the fence is a must to keep little ones safe and it has the added benefit of privacy. Plus, a big yard is nice for entertaining and I really love having the freedom to add a deck, or raspberry bush, or garden without compromising play space.
Our would be nice list:
~separate garage
This has all the attributes of an attached garage minus the fact that it's detached.
This has all the attributes of an attached garage minus the fact that it's detached.
~dishwasher
I hate doing dishes. No seriously. It is my l e a s t favourite chore. I detest washing dishes sooo much that I will willing let my dishes add up so that they take over my sink, the counter, the stove AND the kitchen table before I finally get around to doing them (sans company, of course). By the time I finally HAVE to do dishes, I regret waiting so long because the food and grease is caked on and I've really only made the job I hate harder. Sigh. So anything that saves me the hassle of having to do dishes and from this vicious cycle is a great attribute in my book!
I hate doing dishes. No seriously. It is my l e a s t favourite chore. I detest washing dishes sooo much that I will willing let my dishes add up so that they take over my sink, the counter, the stove AND the kitchen table before I finally get around to doing them (sans company, of course). By the time I finally HAVE to do dishes, I regret waiting so long because the food and grease is caked on and I've really only made the job I hate harder. Sigh. So anything that saves me the hassle of having to do dishes and from this vicious cycle is a great attribute in my book!
~main-floor laundry
This feature is just personal prefrence. Why truck dirty laundry down a flight (or two!) of stairs just to have to bring it back up when it's clean and repeat a million times?
This feature is just personal prefrence. Why truck dirty laundry down a flight (or two!) of stairs just to have to bring it back up when it's clean and repeat a million times?
~in a great school district
The town we live in is quite strict on enforcing school zones and although we are still a little ways from having to worry to much about choosing a school or education system, it was something that we did keep in the back of our minds while looking at properties.
In the end, the home we ended up loving and purchasing is a two bedroom home (+one in the basement). It has a detached garage but a HUGE yard. It's on a double lot so there is tons of space to play (and grass to mow!). I love that the yard is so huge, we could, eventually add an addition which would give me the third bedroom and wouldn't compromise the yard. At all! It also has the highly-coveted dishwasher and is within walking distance of a fantastic private school. Although it does not have main floor laundry, it did come with an amazing Apple tree which I am L O V I N G! I cannot wait to make apple crisp this fall! Another huge bonus is it's within walking distance to 5 playgrounds and there are 3 more close by!
What's on your must-have and would be nice list when looking for a house?
The town we live in is quite strict on enforcing school zones and although we are still a little ways from having to worry to much about choosing a school or education system, it was something that we did keep in the back of our minds while looking at properties.
In the end, the home we ended up loving and purchasing is a two bedroom home (+one in the basement). It has a detached garage but a HUGE yard. It's on a double lot so there is tons of space to play (and grass to mow!). I love that the yard is so huge, we could, eventually add an addition which would give me the third bedroom and wouldn't compromise the yard. At all! It also has the highly-coveted dishwasher and is within walking distance of a fantastic private school. Although it does not have main floor laundry, it did come with an amazing Apple tree which I am L O V I N G! I cannot wait to make apple crisp this fall! Another huge bonus is it's within walking distance to 5 playgrounds and there are 3 more close by!
What's on your must-have and would be nice list when looking for a house?
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