Since we first shared our house wish list back in the fall of 2010, we wanted to document what’s still on that list today. I recently found the original paper scrunched up in a vase on the bedroom floor, which felt fitting. The list hasn’t changed dramatically — we crossed items out as priorities shifted and added new things as we thought of them over the years. Even when we weren’t actively house hunting, we’d jot down ideas for our “someday house” whenever we came across the list. Not surprisingly, many core items stayed the same. After seven years of homeownership our “nice-to-have” column did grow, as we discovered additional features we’d appreciate but didn’t absolutely need.
Must Haves:
- Four bedrooms (or three bedrooms plus an office), with at least three of them on a single floor.
- At least two full bathrooms but no more than three. Three full bathrooms can feel like too many tubs and showers to maintain, so we remained open to 2 or 2.5.
- Within our budget. Practicality first.
Beyond those essentials, the list included a set of location and neighborhood priorities that mattered just as much as the house itself.
- A private street with minimal through traffic so our child could safely ride a scooter or learn to ride a bike without constant cars passing by.
- About the same square footage as our previous home — give or take a hundred square feet — because that size had worked well for us.
- A home with character rather than something brand new. We love older houses with history and potential, even if they come with dated décor to update.
- Great schools. Clara’s needs were a higher priority than any single house feature; location in a good school district was non-negotiable.
- A walkable neighborhood. Our long evening walks keep us grounded, so we didn’t want to live somewhere walking felt unsafe or impractical.
- A relatively flat backyard without steep drop-offs — another key safety consideration for kids and pets.
- A safe, well-cared-for neighborhood. We preferred a block where neighbors had already invested in their homes, so we wouldn’t risk over-improving a property surrounded by neglect. In short: pick the worst house in the best neighborhood.
Nice To Haves:
- A private backyard. Our first house had a great grassy-to-wooded yard that set the standard for what we’d like again.
- A kitchen that could be expanded into an adjacent living or family room. We love opening up spaces by removing walls for a more airy, casual layout.
- Extra-high ceilings, when possible. They’re hard to find within our budget, though we did spot opportunities in some unfinished spaces where we could loft ceilings and expose beams someday.
- A brick exterior for low-maintenance curb appeal, though we were open to other options when two-story brick homes were rare or costly.
- Easy, direct access from the kitchen to an outdoor BBQ or dining area. We enjoy eating outside on nice days and value a simple flow from indoors to out.
- A window over the kitchen sink with a view of the yard rather than an interior room.
- A true pantry with a door, not just a tall cabinet or an awkward shelf space.
- Sidelights around the front door — a small architectural touch that felt like a dream until we actually found them in our house.
- An actual foyer or entryway so the front door doesn’t open directly into the main living space, which is how our first two houses were laid out.
- If a two-story layout, an entry that doesn’t open directly onto the stairs. We preferred stairs offset from the door so the entrance feels less cramped.
- A garage. Between our first home’s double garage and our second home’s carport, we learned how convenient enclosed storage can be.
- An existing deck or patio would be nice so we didn’t have to build one from scratch, even if it needed some renovation.
How did we do? Our new house meets all the must-haves and fulfills nine of the twelve nice-to-have items. We don’t have extra-high ceilings, our backyard could use more shrubs for privacy, and the kitchen’s current access to an outdoor dining area is not as direct as we’d like. Those are all things we can explore and improve over time. The last two items — adding planting for privacy and creating a better flow to an outdoor dining spot — feel especially achievable, so we’re excited to see how the house evolves.
What do you look for when house hunting? Do you make separate lists for must-haves and dream features? Dividing needs from wants helped us prioritize and make practical decisions without losing sight of long-term possibilities.