What do you look for in a new home?

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

When it comes to moving homes, we all have our must-haves. Maybe you want your new home to have a garden or be south-facing; or you care more about its surroundings such as proximity to schools or great public transport links.

What's important to you when you look for a new home?

Richmond, 1930's refurbishment · More Info

Featured Answer

bgfuqua

9 years ago

location, and good features for aging in place. just bought - will move in july!! got 99%of my wish list.

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Comments (23)

User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Location- location- location;) The house can be fixed, but the location can not;)
Joanne McGahagan
10 years ago
We are in the process of buying a new home now, and we bought one earlier than we wanted to because
1. It was in the location we wanted
2. It had the configuration we wanted--at least one bedroom and a bath on the first floor
3. It is in excellent condition.
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Victoria Harrison
10 years ago
I agree with Margot. Location! I think it was Kirsty Allsopp who said you should always 'buy the worst house on the best street' Because you can always fix the house. And actually, fixing up a house is the fun part.
annmarie2
10 years ago
Budget has to be a consideration if all you're looking at is location (unless you're talking tear-down). "Fixing" a house can be anything from cosmetic to a money pit! I think you need to factor location along with at least the bones of the house.

We bought a house 6 years ago, and have spent LOTS of time ripping down wallpaper and re-painting. That stuff's easy and relatively inexpensive, and the configuration of the house is perfect for us. We knew going in that the kitchen would need to be gutted, so we just lived with it (sans ugly wallpaper) for 5 1/2 years, then squeaked out the budget and now have the kitchen of our dreams!
rosecottagehome
10 years ago
For me, it has to be location, good bones and potential of the structure of the home and enough yard and some mature trees I don't have enough time to wait till those trees get mature, want to enjoy them now, sitting in the shade with a cup of tea and a scone. LOL
Katie Gooding
10 years ago
Location and price for condition. I can fix (or have fixed) almost anything, but if I spend the money to fix/update it I want to know that I will be able to get most of my money out if I have to sell it.
Emmeline Westin
Original Author
10 years ago
Location seems to be the winner. Have you ever regretted buying a house because it was in the "wrong" area?
bogna
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Location. BUT you must know what kind off location you actually want to live in.
We bought our first house because it was the neighborhood where everyone *else* wanted to live. After few years we have moved to a place that was vibrant and full of activities which our family enjoys. So yes, location. That makes your lifestyle easier and your family happier. The interiors and exteriors? There is solution for everything, but if you have to drive for an hour to be happy- just move right in there :)
edithsmom
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Yes, Emmeline, I have made a huge mistake....we found a great little house, but on a hill too close to the street (in central Massachusetts so lots of heavy snow & ice in winters). While we lived there for 15 years, if I could have moved that house to a flat street, same neighborhood, we would probably still be there.
Emmeline Westin thanked edithsmom
Katie Gooding
10 years ago
Yup. Our first house was in an okay neighborhood, or so we thought. It was an older neighborhood and people stopped maintaining their homes with age...then the prices went lower on many of the properties and then the cycle of neglected properties really set in...we sold as soon as we saw the writing on the wall about the neighborhoods future. So depressing though, it once was a nice area and could be nice again if the people living there would take care of their properties, but on the flip side, I'm sure many of them can't afford it.
Emmeline Westin thanked Katie Gooding
Emmeline Westin
Original Author
10 years ago
It can definitely be a trade off, depending on budget of course. Great affordable house, not so great area. Great area, not so affordable house.
Molly Cairns
9 years ago
LIGHT, there is nothing that will get you down more than dark rooms.
Momof5x
9 years ago
When we used to look for houses to rent- we have our own home now, thank God, I had to consider location, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, sufficient parking, and closeness towards a few groceries at least, also location of emergency services.
Bill Yockey
9 years ago
Location and good bones...
Emmeline Westin
Original Author
9 years ago
So exciting @bgfuqua! That's a good percentage!
pavinia
9 years ago
I've got to be boring and agree with everyone else here - LOCATION it is!
JAN TURNER
8 years ago
Has to be Location, near people and shops, or schools, well thats me. But my husband wants a house the middle of nowhere, peaceful, Boring
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hello Emmeline,

For me I know as soon as I set foot in the door if it's right... love something with a lot of character... I like a bit of old and crumbling personally... but I do say location is important for the highly practical element.... Worst house on the best road that sort of idea... I also like quiet neighbours.. Garden too .. but mainly character... :))
User
8 years ago
Detached with good aspects of privacy. You can never feel truly at home if you're being invaded by other people's noise and eyes.
JAN TURNER
8 years ago
We have a period property, built 1929, nice big rooms and a lovely big garden. But it is also 5 min walk from the shops, two min walk from the park, We knew s soon as we walked in it was for us, ohh but the state of it, had not been decorated since the 50's, it was like a time warp. this was 1995. Only now have we just finished it, lovely big bathroom and a huge kitchen and conservatory. Thing is kids have left home and now too big. Now looking for a smaller bungalow, not worried about the location this time as my Husband retires this year, so the house is more important this time as hopefully it will be the last move ever,
Heather Welsh
8 years ago
Location-peaceful but with access to local shops, cafes, transport and schools, where neighbours look after their properties; quality structure; bright but cosy feeling rooms & a nice sized garden.

We also wanted a detached house when we moved 2 years ago, as we were fed up with noisy neighbours. Our previous tenement flat was beautiful in a great area but our downstairs neighbor got noiser & noiser over the years we lived there, ultimately using his flat for band practice including amp & drums. We're still renovating, which is becoming frustrating but we're motivated to finish it because we found everything else we were looking for with this house & not planning to move any time soon!
JAN TURNER
8 years ago
it seems never ending when renovating, but it is worth it, it has taken us 20 years. First we modernized it, but the house hated it, the atmosphere changed, and it was not comfortable. so started again and put back the old features and decorated old type. And our resident ghost refers like that.

What do you look for in a new home?

bgfuqua

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Joanne McGahagan

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