What's your must have/nice to have/won't touch list

DD265

When buying a property, budget and geographical location aside, how did/would you narrow down your search?

We're trying to compile a list which we can refine as we view properties, and I'm sure there are things that we haven't thought of!

For example, prospective houses for us must have off-road parking. A dining kitchen would be nice to have. We won't/can't take on a non-livable project as we don't have the money to completely gut a place straight away.

Spidernick

I don't think I would ever buy a house with the bathroom next to the kitchen (which you do see) for hygiene reasons.

Silvertabby

Do you have/intend to have children? If so, I would suggest that a 2nd loo, preferably downstairs, should be on your 'must have' list.

For us, it was at least 2 loos and a separate utility room (cat litter tray for the use of).

.... and I've just realised that I sound obsessed with bodily functions !

boliston

i think i prefer combined living room & kitchen as easier to keep an eye on the cooking (pans boliing over etc), not really bothered about parking as no plans to buy any cars and parking can add up to £20k to the price of a property (possibly even more in london)

-taff

Outside or driveway parking, garage and garden.

goodwithsaving

Garden, solid walls, parking (or a garden plenty large enough for a council to approve driveway), room for improvement, cornershop nearby, walkable to a station.

Rambosmum

Must have - certain size or bigger rooms (we have a specification for each room, but essentially it's 4m x 4m for the living room and master bed). Garden of a certain size or bigger, off road parking or potential for it. Potential for large kitchen and utility room and downstairs loo. Project.

Nice to have - utility room, large kitchen, downstairs loo, off road parking already in place. 2nd bathroom. Garage.

Won't touch - subsidence, external wall needing full replacement, Small dark rooms, main road, motorway noise near by.

elsien

Given my miniscule budget and lack of affordable options, I went with somewhere I couldn't hear every move the neighbours made through the walls.
And some outside space for the dog. That was pretty much it.

Thrugelmir

Houses can be reconfigured. The plots they sit on can't. Decent sized garden for us for important. Current state wasn't key.

trailingspouse

Must haves - at least 3 bedrooms, garage, excellent broadband, garden.

Nice to haves - 4 bedrooms, more than one loo, detached

Wouldn't touch - mid-terrace (can cope with one neighbour, but not two!!).


When we were looking for the house we're currently in, we view 3 on the same day, all around the same price. The first two were 'turnkey' properties, all ready to move into - but tiny. The last one was a rambling house over 4 floors, with an attic and a basement, 4 bedrooms, two bathrooms, lots of original features, and a double garage. But it needed a lot doing to it.

That's the one we bought, and we spent 3 years doing it up. I reckon we've spent about £50,000 on doing it up (full rewire, new kitchen and bathrooms, remodelled the garden), but we've increased the value by about £100,000. Don't be in too much of a hurry to discount the 'doer uppers' - you don't have to do it all at once, and that's where the potential for making money lies.

DD265

trailingspouse wrote: »

Must haves - at least 3 bedrooms, garage, excellent broadband, garden.

Nice to haves - 4 bedrooms, more than one loo, detached

Wouldn't touch - mid-terrace (can cope with one neighbour, but not two!!).

For a second I thought you were my husband, except the broadband would've been first on his list. :rotfl: