Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Apr 29, 2013 13:21:48 GMT -5
My ultimate dream house doesn't exist - basically our current house/property, but Manhattan-adjacent. Maybe they'd let me build in Central Park. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/tongue.png) ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/rofl.gif) That's a dream house all right!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2013 13:29:40 GMT -5
My house is 1100 sq feet with a completely finished basement so really 2200 sq ft of living space. And I have a small yard. More power to those that like big houses with big yards but to me that just screams work! I refer you to the "Are you lazy" thread ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/tongue2.png)
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Apr 29, 2013 13:50:16 GMT -5
I need 2 houses to have a "dream" layout. One is a place in the mountains with lots of acreage. Maybe an old ranch or cabin in Montana. Something like that where I can just be with nature and my dogs and be undisturbed. Then on the weekend I need my penthouse downtown so I can catch the shows and go out to eat and hang out in bars. The house we ended up buying here is about 75% of what I'd call a "dream" house. It has a good location and lots of space. But I don't love the finishings in the kitchen, and the layout can be a little weird, and has some extra spaces I don't need. But it was good enough for us to buy. Oh, and the cost was DEFINITELY not a "dream"!!! It's a nightmare but we bought it anyways.
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nogooddeed
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Post by nogooddeed on Apr 29, 2013 14:08:44 GMT -5
Firebird: Two things to think about. That jacuzzi tub uses a lot of water, most will drain your hot water heater leaving no hot water for the rest of the house for a bit of time. Once full, the water never stays hot unless you have a heating element in the tub and those are way expensive. Second, high ceilings look fabulous in pictures, but heating and cooling all that space gets expensive. Sorry to pee on your parade. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/sad.png)
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Apr 29, 2013 14:10:26 GMT -5
I happened to catch an episode of Property Brothers this weekend and ended up watching like five episodes in a row (stupid addictive HGTV marathons). I have always HATED the idea of living through a renovation - my plan has always been to wait until DH and I can afford the move-in ready house we want in the area we want, even if it takes a little bit longer. But the show is pretty clever. For those of you who don't know, it starts with a couple describing the kind of house they want. Then the (superhot) property brothers take them to see a house that checks all their boxes in the area they want. When they're done looking and the couple is drooling, they tell them how much THAT house costs - usually a couple hundred thousand out of their desired price range (if not more). The drooling stops and everyone makes really sad faces. Then the brothers find them two very affordable properties that they can remake into the dream house (or a close approximation) with some major renovations which they can afford since the house itself costs so much less than the couple was willing to spend. The couple picks one, and 4-7 weeks later they move into a property on which one of the brothers has worked some incredible renovation magic. It doesn't even look remotely like the same house. I didn't realize renovations could be done that way - upfront and completely finished to the point of being move-in ready.... before you move in. Anyway, it got me thinking about what we want in our dream house someday. Here's our wish list: 1. 4 bedrooms, 2.5-3 bathrooms. Plenty of space for our desired family size and enough for a guest room / office. 2. Huge master bath with a Jacuzzi-size tub for DH. 3. A little bit of property, nothing too extensive (big yard would be fine). 4. High ceilings / open floor plan, lots of space. 5. Amazing kitchen - also with open floor plan so we can socialize while cooking. 6. Very clean and bright - I would love to be able to pick all of our counters, cabinets and fixtures. 7. Close to wherever we work (as God is my witness, I WILL NEVER WORK FARAWAY FROM HOME AGAIN!!!! ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/smiley.png) ) I'm not delusional enough to think we'll ever be able to afford this in California - that's a huge part of the reason we plan to move. But eventually, that's what we want and it should be doable in Colorado or Washington. What's on your wish list for your dream house, and are you living in it yet?
I've had a dream house before on a lake and it wasn't for me. LOL! It was too much for this simple girl. But I do have what you listed above and that is my idea of a dream house. Not too big and not too small. I've had Jacuzzi tubs before and didn't want one in this house because you can't use oils, etc. without damaging it and it's too loud! I like a huge soaking/garden tub which is what we have here. I do wish I wasn't too chicken to put in a gas fireplace or two but gas lines running through our attic scares the crap out of me. This is my first home where we didn't have a fireplace inside. Our "dream" house that DH1 and I had even had one in the master suite - Jacuzzi tub, mini kitchen, balcony, wall to ceiling windows = too much for me. Plus the house was huge. We had a maid and landscapers but I prefer to do my own cleaning. This place we have now, with 2 car garage, is 2800SF (2164 SF under air) with 4 bedroom and 3 full baths with a decent size yard but not too big. We have a landscaper for that which is great to have. I LOVE this house and we can afford it on DH's salary.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2013 14:13:48 GMT -5
Firebird said: FB, How do you feel about Stockton or Tracy? ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/tongue2.png)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2013 14:15:08 GMT -5
My dreams change, so I don't focus on trying to find something so elusive as one single permanent "dream house". I agree. After my divorce in 1997, my "dream house" was something small, peaceful and not falling apart in the same expensive NJ suburb we'd lived during the marriage, so DS could stay in the same school. That's what we got- a 3-BR 1950s ranch. OK, it had a pool, but other than that, nothing out of the ordinary. My post-downsizing dream house will be almost the equivalent, but on a lake and nowhere near NJ.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 29, 2013 14:15:57 GMT -5
I love our neighborhood so much, I try not to fantasize about my dream house. However, if I had a bunch of money to throw away, I would see if it was possible to pull the roof off and vault the ceilings, move the kitchen to the back of the house, and bring my laundry room inside. It still wouldn't be the perfect house, but it would be a lot cooler!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2013 14:20:38 GMT -5
Ugh - MIA post. No way you remodel an entire house in 4 weeks. Even on property brothers, they only remodel 2 rooms - usually the kitchen and living room. Meanwhile, the "disgusting" and outdated bathrooms are still disgusting and outdated. They didn't give that couple a "fully remodeled" house as they promised - just a nice kitchen. For sure! It takes 7-8 weeks to order and receive the semi custom kitchen cabinets. The cabinets must be installed before the counter top people will do a template and another 2-4 weeks to ship, fabricate and install the countertops. So unless your willing to order thousands of dollars of cabinets before you close on a house and the seller lets you demo the kitchen, no way is it done in 4 weeks.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Apr 29, 2013 14:30:23 GMT -5
I love Property Brothers (and I got DH hooked on it too), but it is unrealistic. I know it is in Canada and the housing market is different up there, but the houses are outrageously expensive. Then you have a young couple (usually) looking to buy their first house and it has to be a "dream house" with everything "move in ready". If you want to do that (at least in USA) you pretty much have to have all the money up front to by the house and then pay for the renovations.
We laugh at some of the things said on this show and others on HGTV. My favorite "I must have stainless steel appliances" like that non-stainless steel appliance won't work as well. Also apparantly "vinyl flooring" is a curse word on HGTV
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 29, 2013 14:36:28 GMT -5
We laugh at some of the things said on this show and others on HGTV. My favorite "I must have stainless steel appliances" like that non-stainless steel appliance won't work as well. Also apparantly "vinyl flooring" is a curse word on HGTV Once on house hunters the gal went on and on about the horrible counter-top, and "What were they thinking?!" Yup - exact same counter top as I have. And I like my counter. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/smiley.png) She can kiss my ass. I didn't like the boring cookie cutter house she picked, it was bland and matches her perfectly.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Apr 29, 2013 14:39:32 GMT -5
True... I stayed in a B&B once with a wonderful gigantic Jacuzzi. Absolute heaven. Later that evening I realized the room had its own hot water heater, which went BANG BANG BANG for the next 2 hours as I was trying to sleep. Then I had to take another Jacuzzi bath to relax ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/tongue.png)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2013 14:40:01 GMT -5
Unfortunately in Toronto and Vancouver those really are the costs. It is crazy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2013 14:43:24 GMT -5
I've wondered if that furniture actually stays in the house, or if they basically use a staging company for the "big reveal" and then the owners bring their own tattered couch in after the cameras are packed up. Here is what I know... 1) They already bought the house before they go on the show. 2) The contractor isn't likely running the crew. 3) The plans and "decision" day is probably done after the whole remodel is complete. I'm sorry there is no way that their plans have the exact finishes of every surface completely nailed down for the initial presentation. 4) Probably most of the shopping scenes are filmed after the remodel is complete (maybe.) But for sure, that isn't when they actually make the decision. 5) The timeline is totally inaccurate. Absolutely no way you remodel a whole in 4 weeks and come in on time every single time. Shit - it took me 6 weeks just to get the tile ordered for my bathroom. 6) The budget is likely inaccurate, or at least not out of pocket. I suspect they get free stuff from the "additional consideration provided by..." list at the end of the show. Where do you get your info? I agree that decision day has to be a dramatization. But why fake all the other stuff?
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Apr 29, 2013 14:44:59 GMT -5
Unfortunately in Toronto and Vancouver those really are the costs. It is crazy. I swear in those Canada episodes every house is like 4 bedrooms with 1000 square feet or something. Do they not convert from metric units correctly or something? I swear there was a 5 bedroom house that was 1200 square feet and these houses do NOT appear to be that tiny. I imagine they do not count the sq footage in the basement, but has anyone else noticed this?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2013 14:49:49 GMT -5
Unfortunately in Toronto and Vancouver those really are the costs. It is crazy. I swear in those Canada episodes every house is like 4 bedrooms with 1000 square feet or something. Do they not convert from metric units correctly or something? I swear there was a 5 bedroom house that was 1200 square feet and these houses do NOT appear to be that tiny. I imagine they do not count the sq footage in the basement, but has anyone else noticed this? I run into that in reverse when you guys talk house sizes. The sq footage refers to one floor. The basement is not included.My house is actually 5 bedrooms in 1100 sq feet. 2 bedrooms on the main floor and 3 in the basement.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Apr 29, 2013 14:52:22 GMT -5
Ugh - MIA post. No way you remodel an entire house in 4 weeks. Even on property brothers, they only remodel 2 rooms - usually the kitchen and living room. Meanwhile, the "disgusting" and outdated bathrooms are still disgusting and outdated. They didn't give that couple a "fully remodeled" house as they promised - just a nice kitchen. For sure! It takes 7-8 weeks to order and receive the semi custom kitchen cabinets. The cabinets must be installed before the counter top people will do a template and another 2-4 weeks to ship, fabricate and install the countertops. So unless your willing to order thousands of dollars of cabinets before you close on a house and the seller lets you demo the kitchen, no way is it done in 4 weeks. The owner did not allow us to demo before closing, but he did allow us to bring contractors in to take measurements so that we could have the fabrication of kitchen/bathroom cabinets and countertops done while we were in escrow. As soon as we closed, the crew with the sledgehammers descended to gut the entire home including one wall and less than 4 weeks later we were in our "new" home (completely new kitchen and baths, lighting fixtures, tile, carpet, door hardware, etc.). I think the only thing we didn't do was to paint or replace the windows or roof. That was in the late 90s. Maybe it would be impossible to do today. ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/idunno.gif)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2013 15:24:03 GMT -5
dancinmama, What kind of countertops did you have installed? If they were pre-fabricated laminate (and now some granite slabs are prefabricated sizes too) that stuff is in stock and you don't have to go through the joy of ordering specific slabs and the fabrication process. That process easily adds 2-4 weeks or longer should you order over the holiday season and the plant shuts down for a week... ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/tongue.png)
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Apr 29, 2013 15:29:21 GMT -5
I built my dream home in 2001 and sold it to my sister in 2006 when we moved to California. We moved back in 2009 and bought a different house. Now my sister moved a couple of months ago and is trying to sell the house again. She keeps hinting that I should buy it again. Only problem- I built it for $250,000 and sold it to her for $340,000. She is trying to sell it now for $480,000. I could afford it at $250,000 I can't at $480,000.
It is a beautiful very well designed house that had everything we wanted and needed in a house at the time. However, now we are less into that sort of thing. I don't need that 6,000 sf beast again. Would take us hours to clean the house from top to bottom. It took DH 3 hours just to mow the lawn. Beautiful house and yard but WAY too much upkeep and maintanence.
Now we are in a 2,400 sf house that is about perfect for us. Two master suites so no sharing a bathroom with a teenage boy. No wasted space and the lawn takes about 45 minutes to mow.
I wouldn't call it a dream house as there are a few things I would change in a heartbeat. But for where we are in our lives it works for us. We have 3 more years left until the Boy graduates from high school so we are staying put until then for sure.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Apr 29, 2013 15:32:12 GMT -5
dancinmama, What kind of countertops did you have installed? If they were pre-fabricated laminate (and now some granite slabs are prefabricated sizes too) that stuff is in stock and you don't have to go through the joy of ordering specific slabs and the fabrication process. That process easily adds 2-4 weeks or longer should you order over the holiday season and the plant shuts down for a week... ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/tongue.png) When we had granite installed in our kitchen last year, they came and measured everything, we went to their warehouse/shop building and picked the slab we wanted, and then they cut and installed it a few days later. It was actually a really quick process - I was surprised.
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Peace Of Mind
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[font color="#8f2520"]~ Drinks Well With Others ~[/font]
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Apr 29, 2013 15:37:33 GMT -5
dancinmama, What kind of countertops did you have installed? If they were pre-fabricated laminate (and now some granite slabs are prefabricated sizes too) that stuff is in stock and you don't have to go through the joy of ordering specific slabs and the fabrication process. That process easily adds 2-4 weeks or longer should you order over the holiday season and the plant shuts down for a week... ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/tongue.png) When we had granite installed in our kitchen last year, they came and measured everything, we went to their warehouse/shop building and picked the slab we wanted, and then they cut and installed it a few days later. It was actually a really quick process - I was surprised. That's how it worked for us too. But DH wanted to do the work of removing our current counters and making sure everything was level first. We were afraid they'd damage our cabinets if they did that part. Plus DH is OCD about things. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/wink.png)
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Apr 29, 2013 15:45:15 GMT -5
Our current dream home was 7 years old when we purchased it, but looked like it was brand new. It sits on a .4 acre lot with specially designed hard-scape and landscaping. The home is a 2600 sq. ft., single story, 3 bedroom, 2 3/4 bath custom floor plan with a very open/great room design concept with lots of windows that take advantage of views of the hills and mountains in the distance. It also has a 3 1/2 car attached garage. We are about 1/2 hour from the beach in one direction and 1/2 hour from major sporting events and concerts in the other direction - perfect for retirement living when we are not traveling. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/smiley.png) We were ahead of the times when we looked for stainless steal appliances for our 1998 remodel. You couldn't get them then. When we bought in 2005, everyone was all about stainless steel, so I was happy that this home did not have them. I like to stay away from anything that screams a particular decade. Remember Southwestern/white wash cabinets? ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/tongue.png)
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Apr 29, 2013 16:05:53 GMT -5
dancinmama, What kind of countertops did you have installed? If they were pre-fabricated laminate (and now some granite slabs are prefabricated sizes too) that stuff is in stock and you don't have to go through the joy of ordering specific slabs and the fabrication process. That process easily adds 2-4 weeks or longer should you order over the holiday season and the plant shuts down for a week... ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/tongue.png) They were not corian or formica, but they were some type of "new" solid surface material that had a very subtle pattern in it. We had them "customized" by selecting two different colors - the main countertop (light gray) and then a 3" strip (darker gray) that ran along the top front of all the countertops. For the life of me, I can't remember what it was called. It was more expensive than tile or corian, but not as expensive as granite which was a lot more expensive back in those days.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 29, 2013 17:38:09 GMT -5
I've wondered if that furniture actually stays in the house, or if they basically use a staging company for the "big reveal" and then the owners bring their own tattered couch in after the cameras are packed up. Here is what I know... 1) They already bought the house before they go on the show. 2) The contractor isn't likely running the crew. 3) The plans and "decision" day is probably done after the whole remodel is complete. I'm sorry there is no way that their plans have the exact finishes of every surface completely nailed down for the initial presentation. 4) Probably most of the shopping scenes are filmed after the remodel is complete (maybe.) But for sure, that isn't when they actually make the decision. 5) The timeline is totally inaccurate. Absolutely no way you remodel a whole in 4 weeks and come in on time every single time. Shit - it took me 6 weeks just to get the tile ordered for my bathroom. 6) The budget is likely inaccurate, or at least not out of pocket. I suspect they get free stuff from the "additional consideration provided by..." list at the end of the show. Where do you get your info? I agree that decision day has to be a dramatization. But why fake all the other stuff? I knew a guy on House Hunters.
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tractor
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Post by tractor on Apr 29, 2013 19:28:07 GMT -5
We live in our dream home. 3600 sq ft log home on 35 acres, with an indoor pool. Seven miles out of town, no real neighbors. It started out as a small, 500 sq ft one room cabin. We have added on as our family and financial resources expanded. I have many more plans for the place, and will probably never be done with it.
I have no plans to move, and am really looking forward to retiring in 20 years so I can spend more time there.
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skubikky
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Post by skubikky on Apr 30, 2013 6:55:58 GMT -5
We built this house on a number of acres in rural farming country over 20 years ago when the kids were little. Very basic ranch(3 bd, 1 bath). DH laid out the open configuration himself using CAD and the builder was able to use that. Over the years we completely finished the basement with wood burning stove in a big family room, a very large bathroom, office and workshop. Upstairs, upgraded from very basic to hardwoods and granite as we had the cash. Kids are out of the nest and the house is perfect for us. Besides the very open and lightness upstairs, the outside is really the prize. Quiet, bucolic and peaceful. DH(with help from John Deere) has done an enormous amount of work over the years. Built stand alone garage, ice rink, dirt bike track, cherry and apple orchard, christmas tree farm, kids climbing set, deck that runs 2/3 the length of the house. It's been paid off since 2007. Cheap living as we use wood to burn and don't have teenagers home anymore( ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/melancholy.png) I miss my babies) using up a lot of electricity. We love our home and hope to be able to stay here for the long term.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2013 7:06:41 GMT -5
The heating element in my jetted tub was not expensive. But it's impossible to keep that thing as clean as I'd like. I wouldn't put another in. Regular tub and hot tub outside is a better idea I think.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Apr 30, 2013 17:17:23 GMT -5
Nope. Not even close. Wrong state, having to share a bathroom, and too small with not great parking for guests. But I'm working on the dream house! ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/wink.png)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2013 1:36:28 GMT -5
I know I m weird, but my dream house is not big at all. I have zero desire to have a big house. At one time I thought I did, but seriously, it is just more space to clean. I have never lived in my dream house. The one is Texas came close...but it still didn't check all the boxes. I do not want a house over 2000 sq ft, been there, done that...still doing that and I don't like it. I like small and cozy, but it must have 2 bathrooms. I do not like a lot of decorations because they take too much time to keep clean and I just do not like clutter at all. I would like a yard big enough for a pool. My house would need to be near a city because living out in the country drives me bonkers. I need to be close to shopping and people. I personally could live in a small flat in a major city. Goose however could not do it long term and I will have to make compromises. The above house would be me compromising. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/smiley.png) If he had his way, we would live in the boonies with no civiliaztion for several hundred miles. We would live off the land and bath in the rivers.
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Waffle
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Post by Waffle on May 1, 2013 7:24:54 GMT -5
There are levels of dreams. The absolute dream house - I will never have - it would require many servants to take care of it. I'm certainly not cleaning all those extra bathrooms - or waxing the bowling alley lanes!
I'm living in what was my dream house at the time I had it built. - 2 story with full basement, 5 bedrooms 3 baths, lots of closet space. My next dream requires downsizing.
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