"Must have" house features?

[toxicavenger]

good info.

Originally Posted by reginhild

On the comment about granite needing to be sealed, many granites that are mostly black in color have very very low porosity. Black granites can have porosity as low as 0.2% (one fifth of one percent) where other granites can have as high as 4% porosity.

From: http://www.aquamix.com.au/files/Aqua_Chat_Apr_07.pdf a sealer maker that actually admits darker granites do not always need sealers! Bravo for not just trying to sell product!

"Selecting a lighter coloured granite for example in most cases will mean having higher porosity hence the need for a sealer where as a darker younger granite being much denser may not need one."

[toxicavenger]

I did also want to mention something about "On Demand Hot Water Heaters". These are a really good system but I can tell you first they don't work so good if the water coming to your house is really cold (like Colorado water). You will have to use two systems in line to bring it up to temp.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

I did also want to mention something about "On Demand Hot Water Heaters". These are a really good system but I can tell you first they don't work so good if the water coming to your house is really cold (like Colorado water). You will have to use two systems in line to bring it up to temp.

I also wonder at what point the extra expense of an on-demand system pays for itself. I hear commercials on the radio saying things like "cut your hot water bills in half" but I'd laugh because I had a gas water tank heater, gas cooking, and the summer time gas bill for two people was all of $12. Really, I'm going to spend hundreds (thousands?) to save $6/mo? And I'd only save $6/mo if my only gas usage was from hot water.

[Bob from down south]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

I also wonder at what point the extra expense of an on-demand system pays for itself. I hear commercials on the radio saying things like "cut your hot water bills in half" but I'd laugh because I had a gas water tank heater, gas cooking, and the summer time gas bill for two people was all of $12. Really, I'm going to spend hundreds (thousands?) to save $6/mo? And I'd only save $6/mo if my only gas usage was from hot water.

Given that my HW heater is inside the house, any heat that escapes helps warm the house anyway.

I've had on-demand systems in Europe and South America...the only real benefit I saw was having a virtually unlimited supply of hot water when we had a house full of people all getting up and ready for the day at the same time. Otherwise, an insulation blanket around the tank is a whole lot cheaper...

[Josseppie]

The biggest thing I don't like is siding. I know its popular and cheaper but I would go with brick (there are many styles) and stucco.

[toxicavenger]

I did want to mention that I don't think the "On Demand" systems are bad because the one my parents have in Lousiana was only about 300 dollars and it kicks butt. In Colorado they just can't bring to water up to temp as fast since it doesn't have a tank. Hey everyone keep up the good info.

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

I did also want to mention something about "On Demand Hot Water Heaters". These are a really good system but I can tell you first they don't work so good if the water coming to your house is really cold (like Colorado water). You will have to use two systems in line to bring it up to temp.

[CS-Urbanist]

Originally Posted by Josseppie

The biggest thing I don't like is siding. I know its popular and cheaper but I would go with brick (there are many styles) and stucco.

Very true... And if you must go with siding, DO NOT go with vinyl!

Also in Colorado for decks, it will pay off in time to put in one of the composite types of decking. I prefer a brand called "Fiberon" that you can purchase at 84 Lumber. Wood decks require way too much maintenance due to the sun in Colorado. You will have to stain it once a year otherwise.

[Terytee]

When I bought my home, I was looking for a rancher with a basement. I thought finished or unfinished didn't really matter as I could just have it done pretty easily......yeah right.

Finishing a basement (to code I might add) can be a pretty hefty expense......20K and up.

I went with a rancher with an already finished basement.

In-ground sprinkler is a must in my opinion......my neighbors don't have one and they're always out there with a hose and one of those spinning sprinkler thangs....and they have to move it around every half hour........I set it and forget it!!

My neighborhood doesn't have an HOA, but that's not always a good thing....... I actually wish it did have an HOA.

Folks park multiple cars out in the street (cars, trucks, ATV trailers, even RVs)...or even right on the lawn.......or let the yard grow into a field of high weeds, or let the wood fence fall apart, or keep a huge pile of river rock in the front yard for over a year (my personal pet peave).

It makes the whole area look bad. I think a little common sense enforcement would keep folks from getting lazy.

I have an Aunt who lives in a neighborhood with a very strict HOA.....it's inconvenient for her at times.....they keep an eye on cars in the street and grass height and that kind of thing.......but her neighborhood looks fantastic all the time.

[Bullitt007]

I would definately stay focused on a south-facing home. I rarely shovel and my neighbors across the street constantly deal with ice problems. I specifically chose a south-facing house when I purchased a couple of years ago. My neighbors across the street never thought about it and if they had, would have been on my side. lol

Zoned heating/cooling isn't that big of a deal that I can tell...in regards to the basement, you can simply close the vents down there.

Definately go with the sprinkler system with drip system for the shrubs.

Three car garage is the way to go! Most two-car garages barely fit two cars, and forget about it if you store your lawn-mower, tools, extra refrigerator, etc. out there. I went with the three-car...plenty of room for storage now, including a place for shoes and cold-weather cloths to hang during the winter so you don't track it all in the house.

Whole house humidifier's are very nice...use mine all the time.

Most HOA's don't get involved with snow-removal on the streets because of liabilties involved. They stick to the common area's pretty much.

I would look for a basement that is already finished. I didn't and really wished I had. I will someday, but getting it done while I'm living there is not gonna be fun.

Last thing I'd suggest to you is to talk with potential neighbors. If you like a certain house, stop and talk to people out on a walk, checking the mail, etc. This will give you somewhat of a feel for the neighborhood, especially if you talk to 4 or 5 different people. You'll learn firsthand info on HOA enforcement, crime, neighborhood get-togethers, etc.

Good luck!!!