What are your must have features when shopping for a house?

[sockboy]

Following up on the other thread regarding the importance of 3 bathrooms on the second floor, I thought it would be interesting to hear what your 'must have' features were when shopping for a house. Obviously this will change over your lifetime, but maybe reflect on your last purchase if you are not currently shopping.

For us (2 people in Ottawa), it was the following:

House:
- at least 2 bedrooms
- some outdoor space for a BBQ - could even be a balcony
- no major repairs needed, but we were willing to do cosmetic updates
- an opportunity to increase the value by doing some upgrades

Location:
- very close to public transit
- within the core of the city - limited to a few specific areas

This was it. Anything else was fair game. We looked at everything from condos to detached houses to townhouses. Due to our price range, it actually was not an easy search. We could have got WAAAY more house for our money if we had gone into the burbs, but we aren't car people, and like to be able to walk pretty much everywhere.

[speedyforme]

Single - first time home buyer

* type of house wasn't as important, just NO CONDO or CONDO FEES

Must haves:
- 3 bedrooms: master bedroom, spare office space and spare bedroom
- master ensuite bathroom attached, upstairs main bath and powder room
- decent sized rooms
- decent outdoor space (aka some greenery - no all interlock patio backyards)
- location: I knew the area I wanted in already but it had to be close to GO Transit to commute to work
- no more than 10 years old
- covered garage (no brainer here in Miss but ya know)

Nice haves:
- less renovation done, I have my dad to do these things for a living
- ability to add some value to the home
- well-maintained

[ashgotti]

Following up on the other thread regarding the importance of 3 bathrooms on the second floor, I thought it would be interesting to hear what your 'must have' features were when shopping for a house. Obviously this will change over your lifetime, but maybe reflect on your last purchase if you are not currently shopping.

For us (2 people in Ottawa), it was the following:

House:
- at least 2 bedrooms
- some outdoor space for a BBQ - could even be a balcony
- no major repairs needed, but we were willing to do cosmetic updates
- an opportunity to increase the value by doing some upgrades

Location:
- very close to public transit
- within the core of the city - limited to a few specific areas

This was it. Anything else was fair game. We looked at everything from condos to detached houses to townhouses. Due to our price range, it actually was not an easy search. We could have got WAAAY more house for our money if we had gone into the burbs, but we aren't car people, and like to be able to walk pretty much everywhere.

I just bought my first house (got the keys last week) and my criteria was almost the same as yours (I'm in Ottawa too). I found that to get a townhouse without condo fees that was in decent shape was to go to Orleans/Barrhaven/Kanata and spend +$220K. I got lucky and found a non-listed townhouse for <$200K near Central Park, 15 minutes from downtown.

[kellya]

We just moved into our current home this past March. When we were looking our must haves were:

four bedrooms all on the same level
double garage
unfinished basement

That was pretty much it. We ended up getting a five bedroom house with a double garage with an unfinished basement so pretty close to what we were looking for.

Kelly

[Shane1975]

For us (4 people), a house must have:

4 bedrooms
Double car garage
Open concept layout
nothing less than 2400 Sq. feet

[rdx]

4 bedrooms
Double car garage
Open concept layout
nothing less than 2400 Sq. feet

On top, I also looked for houses with double door entrance to the house and to master bedroom :)

And lot of windows (sunlights into the house)

But of course, the most important thing is the location (potential to grow) !!!

[ssainani]

good neighbourhood .....
walking distance to subway ....

ideally a homeowners association or condo corp -- (i want to pay the fees)

must have parking

that's really it

[rdx]

good neighbourhood .....
walking distance to subway ....

ideally a homeowners association or condo corp -- (i want to pay the fees)

must have parking

that's really it


Are you talking about condo or house? I thought this thread is for house shopping.

I have to say no to condo fee aftering paying many years. Believe or not I know some people are paying over $1500 a month (for big units in downtown). $1500 is enough pay a house mortgage.

[SW20 MR2]

Here was our list. We were in our early 30's with no kids, but we were buying a house that we could stay in for a long time.

Must haves:
- 4+ bedrooms
- Double car garage that is attached to house
- Very little wasted space. I don't like houses that have big open areas/hallways that serve no purpose.
- Contemporary-styling. We originally looked for resale homes, but ended up buying new, so we decorated as we wanted.

Nice to haves (looking back in hindsight):
- Double door entrance. It makes the outside of the house look bigger, and it's easier to get furniture into the house.
- Walk-in closet close to ensuite. More convenient when getting ready in the morning.

[jacksorbetta]

I just bought a year ago (today:razz:), but I'm now looking to change.

Must haves for future move:

-2 car garage or carport (currently have tandem parking and it's a PITA)
-Central Air
-2 beds + den, or 3 beds, 2+ baths
-Seperate living area for The Moms (full bath, large bedroom or family room set up, with limited stair access)
-space! I'm in a 2000 sq ft townhouse ATM, but don't want to give up sq footage in a house.
-updated, with no renovations needed. Necessary paint or landscaping is ok, but after having to do a kitchen and bath, carpet and lighting reno in this place, I want "move-in" ready next time.
-Location: near a park, preferably on a cul-de-sac, in a quiet area.
-No Strata >:(. I hate having to ask permission to pull weeds.
-same price range as my current place (to port my 1.5% mortgage :))

[nalababe]

For a family of four

In the city (no farther north than Eglinton)
3 Bedrooms, a fourth would be nice
1 bathroom on each floor
Defined walls rooms: no open concept
Garage or non shared Driveway
Character in the house fitting the neighbourhood
Walking distance of a high street
Back yard (currently we have a 140 foot deep lot)

[ssainani]

Believe or not I know some people are paying over $1500 a month (for big units in downtown). $1500 is enough pay a house mortgage.

i don't pay much less than that - and i wouldn't want it any other way

the high fees keep the trash out as elitest as that sounds

[rdx]

i don't pay much less than that - and i wouldn't want it any other way

the high fees keep the trash out as elitest as that sounds

$1,500 a month alone can buy you a nice house !!!

Even now, I don't understand why I was paying $500 a month for the management fee, and I hardly used the swimming pool, tennis courts, and other facilities.........

[sunnybono]

Folkes what about looking at the structure and the features of the building. What good is a beautiful looking house on the outside with squeeky, wobbly floors, bad drywall and warped ceilings??? In saying that, I look at what construction material was used to build the home like engineered flooring VS 2X8 or 2x10 floor joists. I look at 2X6 studs Vs 2x4. I look for 3/4" plywood either screwed down or glued and nailed VS OSB board. I look for Vinyl casement window VS aluminum sliders.

sk

[ssainani]

$1,500 a month alone can buy you a house !!!..

i fixed your quote for you

[coolspot]

the high fees keep the trash out as elitest as that sounds

True.

[rdx]

i fixed your quote for you

It doesn't matter. $1500 a month mgmt fee is a total waste!

[purplesnow22]

Single - bought a small semi-detach a year ago

Must haves:
- location: must close to Go train station, and parents' house :)
- 3 bedrooms, big master bedroom, 1 office, 1 guest room (later 2 can be smaller)
- at least 1 bathroom on 2nd floor, 1 powder room on main floor
- a small garden, but not tooo big
- single garage
- no more than 10 yrs old, preferrably 1-5 yrs old

Nice to haves:
- no sidewalk
- double garage
- if i can find this in semi-detach, i will not buy townhouse; if i can find this in freehold townhouse, i will not buy townhouse with maintenance fee
- unfinished basement so that I can make it into whatever I want in the future

[ssainani]

It doesn't matter. $1500 a month mgmt fee is a total waste!

to you yes

i'd rather 'waste' my $1500 -- my time is worth more than that

everyone has different wants and needs ....

[Krakilin0405]

CELLPHONE SERIVCE. Go upstairs, basement, make sure you can get a signal to place/recv calls.

[coolspot]

CELLPHONE SERIVCE. Go upstairs, basement, make sure you can get a signal to place/recv calls.

Also highspeed internet, both DSL and Cable!


If the cell signal is poor, you can purchase a cell signal booster for about 200 - 400 depending on the model.

[speedyforme]

Single - bought a small semi-detach a year ago

Must haves:
- location: must close to Go train station, and parents' house :)
- 3 bedrooms, big master bedroom, 1 office, 1 guest room (later 2 can be smaller)
- at least 1 bathroom on 2nd floor, 1 powder room on main floor
- a small garden, but not tooo big
- single garage
- no more than 10 yrs old, preferrably 1-5 yrs old

Nice to haves:
- no sidewalk
- double garage
- if i can find this in semi-detach, i will not buy townhouse; if i can find this in freehold townhouse, i will not buy townhouse with maintenance fee
- unfinished basement so that I can make it into whatever I want in the future

ha, almost identical to me :D

[rdx]

to you yes

i'd rather 'waste' my $1500 -- my time is worth more than that

everyone has different wants and needs ....

If $1500 is > 1/8 of your income and you spend it for just your condo monthly mgmt fee, it just means a mismanagement of your money !

How much time can $1500 monthly mgmt fee save you? $2000-3000 per season (year) is more than enough for lawn mowing & snow shoveling. And city collects the garbage for us. What else ?

No wonder some people are relying pay cheque to pay cheque, no financial planning and savings at all.

[z613]

I just bought a house. My must have list was:

-walking distance to children's school
-3 bed rooms
-2.5 baths
-nice area/low crime
-fireplace, hardwood, finished basement.
-good price.
- and a plasma tv rough in on the wall :D

[Just thinking]

Not in any particular order....

-Central location with lots of restaurants/shops close by
-Minimum 2 bedroom + den
-Large master bedroom
-Large master bedroom closet (preferably two)
-Open layout
-Structurally sound
-Freehold

Everything else is cosmetic. As long as the house has good bones, then you can modify pretty much everything else. Of course, this takes time and money.

[Friday5PM]

If $1500 is > 1/8 of your income, it just means a mismanagement of your money !

How much time can $1500 monthly mgmt fee save you? $2000-3000 per season (year) is more than enough for lawn mowing & snow shoveling. And city collects the garbage for us. What else ?

No wonder some people are relying pay cheque to pay cheque, no financial planning and savings at all.

how about the maintenance supervisor going around complaining how cheap he is paid...how much is that worth? after all he supervise all the works and the management manage your condo

[JVM]

In Waterdown (Hamilton)

These were our requirements when we were looking
"Play room
Living room big enough to seat 10 people
Large kitchen
Quiet location
Price under $249,000"

Bought for $270's, 4 level backsplit, large kitchen, 11x17 living room, 19x19 playroom, backs onto a city park/greenspace and sides onto a elementary school property.

Moving from a basement apartment that's 30x30.

Get the keys tomorrow!!!! Woot!!

[bigbilly742]

For Us (2 people + infant + Border Collie, Ottawa)

- must be 2km or less from the DT core (so I can keep my walk to work under 20 minutes)
- detached home
- 3 beds min
- 2 baths min (at least 1 bath tub)
- fenced, outside space for the dog
- Place for my tools and projects (unfinished basement or garage)

[markhamloco]

Good school district is important and IMO this also is great as a selling feature,

[sockboy]

For Us (2 people + infant + Border Collie, Ottawa)

- must be 2km or less from the DT core (so I can keep my walk to work under 20 minutes)
- detached home
- 3 beds min
- 2 baths min (at least 1 bath tub)
- fenced, outside space for the dog
- Place for my tools and projects (unfinished basement or garage)

Are you currently looking, or do you already own? Not too many places that meet your requirements out there! We meet the 2k requirement, but are in a townhouse with only1 bath . . .