What's an absolute "No" in your house search?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Homes without mature trees. I prefer to be on a hill looking at beautiful trees. My shoulders softened just typing that.

This is an interested one, because I definitely see where you're coming from. I'd be concerned that new trees aren't going to survive, as new construction often plants trees in areas that are too small for the roots to develop properly. I also like to be in an established neighborhood, which mature trees usually signify. I don't know if it would be a deal breaker for me, especially if I was looking for my 20-year home, instead of a starter home that I planned to outgrow in 5-7 years, but still a + on my preferred list of things in my housing search.
On the other hand, if I had a house with no trees, then I could plant the type of trees I want to have, instead of trees I don't (like ones that drop berries on my car or fruit trees that attract bees near where my kids play). I'd still want there to be mature trees in my neighborhood in that situation though.

[Anonymous]

yard sloping towards the house, shared driveway, pet smell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Open first floor. I need rooms to retreat to, and I want my kitchen apart from the living room. I know I'm in the minority here.

I’m with you!

Me too

[Anonymous]

Interesting thread.

Things I agree with:
- Double yellow road
- Carport / no garage
- Shared driveway

Things I disagree with:
- Middle of a hill (??) we are on one and it's fine
- More than a few steps to front door (we have lots and I love that it doesn't feel like our house is on the street)
- Sunken living room (if it's done right it can be lovely)

Things I'd add: (only got to page 8 or so so not sure if these have already been mentioned):
- Garage on lower floor (basement) as opposed to main. We have this and though I love the house it's annoying
- So close to neighbors you can literally see in their windows (looking at you $2mil houses in Chevy Chase)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Family room where the only place to put a TV is over the fireplace.

Hold on - THAT ^^^ is a deal breaker for you?

PP isn't the only one! I HATE TVs over the fireplace. And we watch enough TV that not having someplace else to put it would make this if not a dealbreaker, a real downside.

Lack of sidewalks and/or not walkable would be an actual dealbreaker for me. Walking is my main form of exercise and it's how I decompress, and not being able to step out my door and walk would make me miserable.

+1 hate it! You have to look up so high, it’s uncomfortable. And the TV has to be really small. Plus it looks so tacky.

Depends how big fireplace is and how big room is. I have it in Den and have a 55 inch tv and watch it from 20 feet back

+100
this totally depends on room setup, I've seen it look both great and awful

[Anonymous]

Brand new builds with no yard space - so many around here, so generic and ugly

[Anonymous]

absolute no: paying $1.5million dollars for a home with ugly power lines out front

[Anonymous]

No rowhomes or semi detached homes. I must have a garage or at least a driveway.

[Anonymous]

Electric stove. If I’m browsing Redfin and I see an electric stove in the kitchen photo, I move on to the next house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:absolute no: paying $1.5million dollars for a home with ugly power lines out front

My sisters town Manhasset they all have them. Here is a 2.5 million home with power lines
https://www.redfin.com/NY/Manhasset/161-Aldershot-Ln-11030/home/20572170

[Anonymous]

When the front door opens into the living room. Been there, done that and hated it.

No separate dining and living room. I don't mind an open kitchen/family room but I need a formal DR and LR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Electric stove. If I’m browsing Redfin and I see an electric stove in the kitchen photo, I move on to the next house.

Usually not hard to convert to gas, at least in this area where most heat is already gas

[Anonymous]

I immediately eliminate any houses in a state that elects Glenn Youngkin as governor.

[Anonymous]

Mansard roof—hate them in every era and variation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Electric stove. If I’m browsing Redfin and I see an electric stove in the kitchen photo, I move on to the next house.

A lot of elderly people with limited taste feel this way.