Irrational things that turn you off about a house

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Existing homes that have been updated to the point of being overdone. A house feels more like a home to me if there is a sense of time and place, and development/change over time - rather than 2024 HGTV throughout.

Interesting... I also feel like you need to honor the tone of the house. Updates are great, but think about the era and don't lose the charm?

[Anonymous]

So many of these things aren't irrational! For me the irrational thing I hate is a garage door (doors) as the focal point of the exterior. Although even that is rational to an extent...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No overhead lighting in upstairs rooms/bedrooms. Everytime I read that decorators think bedrooms shouldn't have overhead lights because they need softer light from stand-alone lamps I get mad.

One of the reasons I bought a new build house is so I could get all the lighting exactly right. I looked at about 40 existing houses before giving up (real estate price peak and modest budget in mainly older neighborhoods outside DMV).

You can put it in. We did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it’s a kitchen sink that doesn’t face a window. If I’m going to be spending time doing a chore I dislike, at least let me look at a tree. It’s an admittedly small thing that is a dealbreaker for me.

Just want to agree with you, OP. When we bought our 1900 rowhouse, the kitchen sink faced a wall. When we renovated (on a budget) we spent thousands extra to bring the big window to the backyard a few feet higher and put the sink underneath it. I think it has to do with what you grew up with. Washing dishes or prepping food while looking out at the backyard is a core childhood memory!

[Anonymous]

Isn't someone going to complain about "aggressive" staircases? That's my favorite bananas DCUM complaint.

Anyway, I was going to say that like a PP, all my complaints are rational, and then I remembered my burning hostility toward plantation shutters. Easy enough to take down, but they're so distracting.

[Anonymous]

Agreed.

I hate bathtubs on the first floor.

As PP mentioned, while you may not like this it is awesome for any unplanned or unanticipated injury and for aging in place.

-PT who did many home assessments after spinal cord injury, stroke, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Agreed.

I hate bathtubs on the first floor.

As PP mentioned, while you may not like this it is awesome for any unplanned or unanticipated injury and for aging in place.

-PT who did many home assessments after spinal cord injury, stroke, etc

I like a first floor bedroom and full bathroom for that reason, but the full bathroom alone is ... Kind of weird since it is usually the guest powder room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it’s a kitchen sink that doesn’t face a window. If I’m going to be spending time doing a chore I dislike, at least let me look at a tree. It’s an admittedly small thing that is a dealbreaker for me.

Not irrational but low ceilings, dark dank unfinished basements, split foyers, odors when you walk in, cruddy bathrooms, lacking light. I put in recessed and layered light that can appear like a sunny day indoors if I choose.

[Anonymous]

I can’t handle unfinished basements (especially if the laundry is there) and raised decks with weird/dark empty space below them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Existing homes that have been updated to the point of being overdone. A house feels more like a home to me if there is a sense of time and place, and development/change over time - rather than 2024 HGTV throughout.

Interesting... I also feel like you need to honor the tone of the house. Updates are great, but think about the era and don't lose the charm?

Yes. It's an immediate turnoff when the exterior is Craftsman and the interior is (insert whatever style doesn't match).

Also when I see LVP flooring. I know I could change it but it's so annoying I just immediately discount the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Existing homes that have been updated to the point of being overdone. A house feels more like a home to me if there is a sense of time and place, and development/change over time - rather than 2024 HGTV throughout.

Interesting... I also feel like you need to honor the tone of the house. Updates are great, but think about the era and don't lose the charm?

I would have a less viscerally negative reaction to this than all 2024 HGTV.

[Anonymous]

The prior owners. Creepy ones are a turn off

[Anonymous]

There must be a real vent (to the outside) above the stovetop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also don't really get the point of excessively large bathrooms....

+1
I would rather have a medium sized ensuite bathroom with each bedroom rather than have a large gigantic bathroom.

[Anonymous]

All my dislikes are completely rational and objectively correct.