Designing our World: 2011

When I walk into a home. I enter the home through the front door, find the garage then pretend I'm coming home from work. Can we both park in the garage (car and truck) with the snow blower out and ready to go? I enter each day with my purse, jacket, work bag, gym bag, lunch bag, mail, toddler in tow, and her bag. I first look - where do I put all this stuff? If I directly enter the kitchen from the garage I'm not interested. It's time to go. (Home office near mud room or next to kitchen so all home items are organized and never make it into the home. Doesn't have to be a large room as long as it's functional. The home office can be used as a office/mudroom.)

Price: Overall $250K or less (If building with everything done: meaning deck, driveway, grass, appliances).

Taxes: Ideally would be under $6500, $8000+ taxes scare the pants off me. It's like saying lets forgive a vacation each year to live in this area. Is this area with this sacrifice?

Searchable features

1800 sq ft -2650, been OK with some 2100 sq ft homes. Larger isn't better for us.
2 story
3 bedroom min., 4 bedroom max (all on 2nd floor). Prefer 3 good size bedrooms upstairs - don't want more than we need.
2.5 bath (would be OK with 3 - more to clean, arr)
2nd floor laundry ideal
2 car attached garage (3 car, bonus!)
Dining room
Office
Pantry
Covered Front porch (ideal)

Location

Great/Good Schools
Within 30 minute commute to downtown Buffalo would be ideal. 40 max if closer to Batavia.
Between North Tonawanda and Batavia would be ideal. We are moving North only to be closer to family. We love the outdoors and the relaxed Southtowns.
No train tracks close by - noise
No highway close by - noise
Need a place nearby to pick up Milk
Near emergency services close by in case of heart attack
30-35 mph zone
No freaks living near by - safe for children
While kids are little would love to be able to walk to a playground (not required)
Safe place to ride a bike
Know the neighbors prior to committing
If building or buying in an open area - How to prevent building a home with snow drifts in driveway or at front door? - take into consideration prevailing winds.

Lot

mature landscape
water would be ideal
privacy
Just under 1 acres lots seem to offer enough privacy
Don't want neighbors to be looking into windows
Don't want to see home right behind mine - we hate lots like that!
Somewhere to put the camper, extra wide driveway/pad. Can we put it in the backyard or side yard?
Fire pit
Camp/Party area
Need a home where we can have 20 cars visit a few time a year., (street parking is a must). Typical family party - 30 people

Exterior Features

Front and back porch/deck/patio - love being outdoor and watching the rain and snow.
Entertaining layout
Shed would be ideal

Interior Features

Love Craftsman homes with large white trim inside (I know this would be a hard find around here)
Small loft area is nice - it draws your eye up and makes the home feel larger. Not needed, but not against this like some buyers.
No narrow doorways - we are large people who come from large families.
Good layout for entertaining
Fireplace - Only if it's gas or gas start and actually puts some radiant heat into the home.(stone)
High ceiling in living area.
Separate storage area in basement and garage would be nice

Kitchen

Large
Casual Dining area/eat in kitchen which is opened to living room but separated by columns or half wall. Can't put toddlers at a bar.
Island is a must - no stove top on island. Good flow at kitchen island for buffets
Oven/Stove - don't want separate appliances, think it's a waste
Morning light
Lots of cabinets - love to cook and bake
Pantry is a must - doesn't have to be walk in. As long as there is one. Can be off dining room and hold booze and such also.
Easy to bring groceries in from Garage, want to come home put everything in its place then enter the kitchen.
Bright - oh can I say windows! :)

Master Bedroom

His & Her closets
Closets located between room and bathroom for noise control
Do not need dual sinks - just separate storage areas and 2 separate areas to plug in.
Do not need a separate tub and separate shower. Just a nice sized bathtub with shower.
Would love to have enough space to have a King Size bedroom set AND a sitting area with a TV.

Mudroom & Laundry Area

Mud Room connecting to garage - not with a laundry room. Don't want to walking through a laundry room when entering the home.
Laundry area - Laundry on same floor as bedrooms with room to hang clothes would be ideal. (keep carrying/neck pain in mind)

Closets

Guest coat closet near formal/front entrance
Family coat closet near garage door

Office

Home office located near entrance from garage would be great. This way mail and stuff isn't tossed in the mudroom or kitchen.

Bedroom 2/3

Shared bathroom with sink area separate (like dorm set up) - also share with guests if possible

this would keep it a 2 bathroom home - save on taxes. Not a big deal unless building a 1 or 1.5 story home.

Big closets
All bedrooms on the same floor

Basement

High ceiling
Basement has to be DRY - allergic to mold and mildew!
Walkout or Belco doors unless there is studio space somewhere else, then not such a priority, but would be nice.
Separate storage area since we probably will not have an attic.

Garage

Must be attached
If not a large lot - would like one bay to go double deep an open overhead to backyard. This would work out great for party in summer. Also we wouldn't have to go out front to get something then go to back.

Utilities

Energy efficient. Probably a geothermal heating system if building, why not keep future bills low.
Whole house humidifier a must (can install)
Central air is a must (can install)
Public water

Special Needs

Photo studio space (in high basement with hard floor or out building, possibly in bonus space)
No narrow door ways. I don't want to walk into the the bathroom door jam at night. Or stub my toes on cabinets when I walk into a room.