the most shocking thing about buying a home in the valley (school districts, allergies)

[ElleTea]

When I am looking at real estate ads online, I watch for 2 things. Carpet and grass. The cost and hassle to remove them both could be a deal breaker for me. If I had to choose between 2 houses, the one with tile and no grass would be my pick without a second thought.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

When I am looking at real estate ads online, I watch for 2 things. Carpet and grass. The cost and hassle to remove them both could be a deal breaker for me. If I had to choose between 2 houses, the one with tile and no grass would be my pick without a second thought.

I was the opposite. I like carpet in the bedrooms (although I always have fresh stuff put in before moving in) and MUST have grass in the backyard for my dogs. They love playing fetch in the backyard and aren't fans of running on rocks.

[farmgirlsuz]

Since this will probably be my only new home build and quite possibly my last home, resale is not the major factor in my choices. I am building this for ME. That being said, the only carpet will be in the bedrooms, the only grass will be in the front with artificial turf in the back around the pool.
Still up in the air about the water softener. I know we need to do SOMETHING and we want to be responsible consumers, but at what cost. Decisions, decisions.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I was the opposite. I like carpet in the bedrooms (although I always have fresh stuff put in before moving in) and MUST have grass in the backyard for my dogs. They love playing fetch in the backyard and aren't fans of running on rocks.

With my cats and dogs, carpet is a no go. Not even a rug. As for outside, the cats and dogs both seem to enjoy laying on the rocks/dirt/concrete. It's warmer.

Grass here is much more work than back in the Midwest where I just mowed when it got long and forgot about it. I prefer to not have the hassle of summer grass vs winter grass and constant watering. I REALLY prefer a house that has true desert landscaping; as in one that looks like it was just plopped in the desert rather than having the desert recreated around it with landscaping, if that makes sense.

I'm skeptical of artificial turf as it can get very hot to the touch in the summer.

[farmgirlsuz]

Pretty sure the builder/hoa mandates the front yard grass situation and the turf is the backyard is more for aesthetic appeal as well as weed/dust control. It's a very small area so it's not like my huge grass yard in Iowa. No more weekends spent mowing, weeding and endless landscaping -yay!

[locolife]

Originally Posted by farmgirlsuz

Pretty sure the builder/hoa mandates the front yard grass situation and the turf is the backyard is more for aesthetic appeal as well as weed/dust control. It's a very small area so it's not like my huge grass yard in Iowa. No more weekends spent mowing, weeding and endless landscaping -yay!

I look to avoid HOAs, so that I don't have problems such as silly rules mandating I waste water on landscaping a front yard. Plus I find older neighborhoods much more appealing anyways.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by locolife

I look to avoid HOAs, so that I don't have problems such as silly rules mandating I waste water on landscaping a front yard. Plus I find older neighborhoods much more appealing anyways.

We are different. I am in a HOA and wish they were follow their rules. It's why I wanted an HOA.

[Rogarven]

I would second getting upgraded insulation and windows. In the desert, those will pay off in spades. I am another that likes carpet in the bedrooms.

[farmgirlsuz]

Yep, all energy-efficient upgrades are a must. HOA fees are one of the lowest we found. Small price to pay to keep the street looking nice IMO. After so many years of dreaming about this I am now super nervous about the finish options!

[cactusland]

I am going to echo the best insulation and double pane windows you can find. I think the windows might matter more here than the walls, but that is subject to opinion.

If you have allergies, I also echo the avoid the carpeting sentiment. Unless you don't mind laying flooring!