What do you consider "minuses" that most people consider "pluses" -- and vice versa? (square footage, countertop)

[katharsis]

Just for grins (and not to start any arguments!) --

What are things that you think most people like in houses that you don't, and what things attract you that you think most people consider turn-offs?

For example, I personally won't even consider buying a home with an in-ground swimming pool, and I strongly dislike stainless steel appliances, even though I know they are fashionable. I also prefer a natural, wooded type of "landscaping", so manicured lawns turn me off, too.

And in the past when I was looking at a suburban lot, I definitely preferred smaller lots to larger ones.

[Jkgourmet]

I hate those two level islands. All I want is one big countertop height island. (We argued with our builder to get ours done that way. After seeing ours, four of our neighbors have ripped out 3 year old granite and replaced it to get rid of that two level thing.)

At this stage of our lives, no two story houses. I used to prefer them.

Three houses and 25+ years in Phoenix and we NEVER had a pool. No thanks!

Basements - no way, no how, never, never, never.

[stan4]

Overall, I do NOT like new construction in this area. It's so freakin' generic looking.

I don't like that weirdo castle look so many houses have (again, it's a trend more with the new construction).

I don't like two stories.

I loathe alley parking.

I don't like those neighborhoods where everyone just picks one of several similar floor plans. Bledch.

I'm not interested in having my whole house rigged to a computer system that controls everything. Nopity nope nope.

Outdoor firepits/fireplaces/etc. It's bad enough I have to smell my neighbors smoking up the street. I won't do it in my own yard. BBQ is different. Yum. I love smelling my neighbors grilling.

Movie theaters in homes. No, thanks. Except for a friend I have whose movie theater is AN ACTUAL movie theater in his house, nothing else I've encountered is really that much better than a nice big screen with good sound in your den. The % better it is isn't worth the price and waste of space.

[kab0906]

Fireplaces in areas that don't require emergency heating - i.e. New Hampshire, yes; Florida, no.

Fussy landscaping. I hate working in the yard.

Pot lights. I find them glaring and, of course, too fixed. Where light should be is determined by how *I* want to use the space.

French doors. Hate them.

[city living]

Tons of square footage.

[Jkgourmet]

Originally Posted by kab0906

Fireplaces in areas that don't require emergency heating - i.e. New Hampshire, yes; Florida, no.

Fussy landscaping. I hate working in the yard.

Pot lights. I find them glaring and, of course, too fixed. Where light should be is determined by how *I* want to use the space.

French doors. Hate them.

LOL. Just goes to show ya.

I love having a fireplace. Every house I purchased in Phoenix and our current house in Raleigh has one. That it heats up the house isn't important to me.

we added MORE pot lights when we built this house.

I love french doors. Wish I had put one in our master instead of the sliding Arcadia door.

Fussy landscaping - not an issue. We built in an HOA that includes all our landscape maitenance!

[BizrulesSD]

I can't stand large tubs in the master bath. Seems like most houses built in the 90s and early 00s have them. The majority of people that I know with them never use them. I would rather use the space for other uses.

[Aredhel]

Originally Posted by BizrulesSD

I can't stand large tubs in the master bath. Seems like most houses built in the 90s and early 00s have them.

And I'm the complete opposite: I LOVE large soaking tubs. So of course my current condo has no room for one.

My own eccentric dislikes are high/vaulted ceilings, stainless steel appliances (which of course my new condo has), gas fireplaces, TVs mounted over the fireplace, yards with really elaborate landscaping that requires lots of maintenance, and wooden decks.

[jackmichigan]

I like having a swamp in my backyard!

Oh...and I like being on well and septic.

[bande1102]

my dislikes:

Open concept
stainless steel
granite counters
large bathrooms and two sinks
HOAs