I’ve been sorta house hunting.
Not seriously. I mean, I haven’t gotten pre-approved for a loan yet, or figured out logistics or what-not. It’s still just theoretical. Not that I haven’t been thinking about it for a rather long time. But I’ve started looking at what’s available again.
Along the way, I’ve been learning all sorts of things about who I am and what I really want.
I started with an open mind–a very open mind–about what I wanted. I looked at anything within my general price range. I’ve learned that there are definite things that I want and don’t want.
Things I want:
- A Yard
I grew up on three-quarters of an acre. We had a garden, mature trees, and a lawn. I want those things. Desperately. - Central Air
It’s funny because I’m not really a huge fan of air conditioning (except that I pretty much have to use it due to nasty allergies). But what I’m really, really not a fan of is not being able to see out of windows. Window A/C stinks. - A Dining Room
There’s little that brings me more pleasure than having people over to eat what I’ve cooked. Sunday dinner isn’t complete unless there’s at least a half dozen around the table–but preferably a whole dozen. I think nothing of having twenty-five people over for a Seder. So, yeah, a dining room is pretty important–preferably one that can easily expand into another room for those really big dinner parties.
Things I want but shouldn’t have:
- An Acreage in the Country
I want chickens and a pig and a cow (or maybe I’d have to settle for a goat). I want to be a lady-homesteader. I’m also a single woman who works and is a homebody–and who would end up being a recluse if she owned an acreage in the country. Not to mention that I really don’t have the diligence to keep animals alive. Maybe if I was at home full-time and I had a family to force me out of hiding, it’d be another story. For now, no cigar.
Things I don’t want:
- A New House
Every house that I’ve spent extended time in that has been built in the past 35 or so years has been really shoddily built. What’s more, every house in my price range that has been built in the past 35 or so years looks shoddily built in the real estate pictures. Doesn’t inspire much confidence. And then there’s the fact that most new houses lack anything resembling charm. - A small house
I’ve tried to be open to small. I need to be open to small. I’m a single woman buying her first home, for Pete’s sake. But I’m also a single woman who LOVES to just have a couple dozen people over for a Seder. Or host a dozen girls for a sleepover. I’m a single woman who wants to be able to have roommates–and still wants a spare room for visiting missionaries or kids up to run 5-Day Clubs. Not to mention that I’m a crafter AND a reader–both of which hobbies take up significant amounts of space (I probably have 300 yards of fabric in my craft room at present–and several thousand books in my library.) Small houses just aren’t exactly suited to my lifestyle.
Things I (still) couldn’t care less about:
- School District
Surprised you there, didn’t I? :-) - A master bathroom
I don’t think I need a bathroom per bedroom. I’m going to be the homeowner and as long as there’s one working BATH, I’m good. For potential roommates’ sake, a shower would be nice. For general goodwill, it’d be nice to have a powder room in addition to the bathroom with a bath (I tend to take a while in the bathtub if I’m working on a good book). But I don’t need a master bath. - An Attached Garage
I have grown rather fond of not having to scrape my windshields in the winter, but having an attached garage is not one of my priorities. Anyone who can’t handle a walk through the elements from house to car probably shouldn’t own a house anyway. Sheesh!
So there you are: what I’ve learned about my preferences thus far.
An attached garage is a priority for me. :-) This is the first house where we’ve had one. When you’re hauling in groceries for five, it helps if the garage is as close to the kitchen door as possible. Plus it doesn’t take the car nearly as long to warm up in the winter. I have balance and footing issues after TM, so when it’s icy outside I’m almost home-bound.
We’ve only had two houses out of the five we’ve lived in that have had master bathrooms, and I rather like them. :-) Though one can survive without them. It’s helpful to have two bathrooms, whether one is “master” or not.
My husband always wanted to raise chickens and have a cow. I do like fresh eggs but I don’t really like caring for animals.
Personally I think this post is awesome. You are SO cool. I LOVE the way that you think! I LOVE that you are so hospitable. I LOVE that you want an acreage. ;D I LOVE that you don’t like new homes because they lack charm (that’s so true)! I LOVE that you want rooms to craft and host guests in.
You’re just flat out awesome. Here’s to house hunting, both in dreams and wishes and in actuality!
P.S. When we were building, I couldn’t stand the idea of a modern home. I “had” to live in a house with character. I tried to convince Jonathan to build a house that looked like a barn but he wouldn’t go for that. (There’s one in our area that I think is so cool.) But he went with log house and I love it.
@Barbara: Hearing your side of the garage issue forces me to concede. There are definitely some circumstances where having an attached garage is not only useful, but downright necessary–yours probably counts!
I rented a house that had a master bathroom and had no problem at all letting my sister have it (in exchange for two bedrooms for me–one for crafts and one for my bedroom). Then we got another roommate and I consolidated into just one small room. When my sister moved, I invited the roommate to take the master bedroom even though I didn’t plan to spread back out into two rooms. You see, the master bathroom only had a shower and not a bath–I was definitely not interested.