Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Jun 15, 2011 18:47:19 GMT -5
We always knew our last house could not be a "forever" house because all of the bedrooms were upstairs and the stairway was steep and narrow. It really caused problems when DH had his back surgery and had to climb them. So when we decided it was time to retire, we had our home built. It was really fun designing it (with a house designer). It incorporates a lot of things I always said I wanted in a forever house. My sewing room is very bright and spacious enough to hold a collecting of antique sewing machines along with my modern ones. We have a guest room with attached bathroom, and the other "bedroom" is actually an exercise room (DH's wish). The garage isn't as large as DH would have liked, but it's adequate. It's on 2 acres with a territorial view (and a peek of water).
We had to compromise on some things, but it's as close to a dream house as we'll ever afford (baring winning the Lottery).
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blackcard
Familiar Member
As of April 2013 Mortgage is paid in full :) NO debt of any kind.
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 22:06:57 GMT -5
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Post by blackcard on Jun 15, 2011 19:51:04 GMT -5
We already have our dream house. We have no plans to sell it or leave. We got into it almost by accident when we got lost looking for a much older home in the same area of town.
We got the model home with all the upgrades already installed. Granite, slate, marble, hardwoods, 3 car garage, extra rooms finished out, extra baths, upgraded appliances etc for just slightly over what we had budgeted for. Paid about 60% of the builders list price and current appraisal value.
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Mardi Gras Audrey
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So well rounded, I'm pointless...
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Post by Mardi Gras Audrey on Jun 15, 2011 19:58:56 GMT -5
My dream house would be ~3000 square feet on a horse ranch that overlooks the ocean. I want a ranch style with 3 baths (Number of bedrooms is negotiable) and a large patio that overlooks a pool with a slide and waterfall. Also want lots of mature trees and some barn/stable space for some 4 legged friends. Not too much to ask, right?
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motherto2
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Post by motherto2 on Jun 15, 2011 20:05:16 GMT -5
My dream house would be my current home but on the water and included a maid ;D. Seriously though, I built this house almost 11 years ago, and I love my house. Would I change some things, yes, like make the kid's rooms and their bathroom just a tad bigger. I would like it to be about 5-10 feet wider, but couldn't afford it at the time. It's a contemporary, but the builder put traditional windows with the panes in them, which is totally not the windows that should be in the house. I have 1/2 acre and live in a wooded community, so there are a lot of trees, a couple of lakes, pool, and other ammenities. I wish I was on a different road, maybe off in one of the many cul-de-sacs because most people drive faster than the 25 mph speed limit. I have a pond in the front, a small one in the back by my patio, a flat lot, woods on one side (which is nice cuz the neighbor on that side is a hoarder). I'm sure I'll have to move one day when I get older, but I'm not looking to do that any time soon. Did I mention the maid?!?
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Havoc
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Post by Havoc on Jun 15, 2011 22:29:35 GMT -5
I'm not really into houses either, although I am looking for something a little bigger. I'm not really into houses, either. I wanna castle!
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jun 15, 2011 22:44:57 GMT -5
"Life happened" for us early on in our marriage so it took us a long while to buy our first house last year. We are both 51. This house is merely adequate for our needs now, but will easily carry us into/through retirement without being overwhelming. The kids will be heading out into the world in a few years so that will ease any minor space limitations at the present time. The house is old but in phenomenal shape and was meticulously cared for by the previous owners. It's a cream puff, truly. Is it my "dream house"? No, but I dreamed of owning a house for so, so many years, that it IS *a* dream house. I will never own my "dream house", and I'm okay with that. Money is finite, especially with less than 20 years to retirement. I'd rather have the cash to not worry during retirement and to travel a bit than spend it on a "dream house" at this point. But that's what works for me. Your mileage will likely vary.
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blackcard
Familiar Member
As of April 2013 Mortgage is paid in full :) NO debt of any kind.
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 22:06:57 GMT -5
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Post by blackcard on Jun 15, 2011 22:58:01 GMT -5
Don't all houses, dream or not, look the same when the lights are out and you are asleep? You will probably spend 1/3 of your life sleeping anyway.
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midjd
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Your Money Admin
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Post by midjd on Jun 16, 2011 7:48:01 GMT -5
Don't all houses, dream or not, look the same when the lights are out and you are asleep? You will probably spend 1/3 of your life sleeping anyway. That is where the "dream bed" comes in... I dream of a Tempurpedic! ;D
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kiskis
Initiate Member
Joined: May 18, 2011 13:26:36 GMT -5
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Post by kiskis on Jun 16, 2011 8:53:38 GMT -5
Don't all houses, dream or not, look the same when the lights are out and you are asleep? You will probably spend 1/3 of your life sleeping anyway. How many times have we discussed bedsheets on MSN money? LoL
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upstatemom
Established Member
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Post by upstatemom on Jun 16, 2011 9:47:52 GMT -5
Dream home would have a mud room between the garage and the kitchen. I hate my direct entry into the kitchen. It would also have a butler's pantry, a "Russian" fireplace so that I only have to add wood to the fire once a day, and a reading nook off the kitchen. Doubt we will ever move from our current home, we love the neighborhood but hey, its OK to dream
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Deleted
Joined: Oct 5, 2024 11:36:37 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2011 10:20:57 GMT -5
Since I know we will eventually have to move out of our current house (too much maintenance and we would like to move out of state), I often think about what I want in the next house. I don't want more square footage. We have 2200 sq. ft. now and that feels about right, though it could be laid out much better. I want a private large wooded lot, a basement, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, tons of garage space, master bedroom on the first floor, huge pantry, no HOA, a good flow to the rooms, 2 person shower.....
"Also most people don't get their dream houses until after their kids are raised, who wants it then? I wish we had a place like this when our kids were growing up."
I see this too. It seems like by the time the parents can afford the dream house the kids are gone or almost gone. My dad and stepmom live in a 4,000 sq. ft. house. They never go upstairs, so half the house only gets used when they have house guests. He wants to downsize with the next build, but she isn't going for it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2011 10:37:58 GMT -5
I don't consider the house we just bought to be the "ultimate" dream house. But I can honestly say that it hits all the buttons for me and would say it's my realistic dream house. -Not a mcmansion, only 1900 SF plus full basement. -4 bed, 3.5 bathroom. -Ranch. -3 fireplaces -Updated throughout. -Basement with office, bar, small workout area. -1/2 acre lot. -Centrally located between family/friends/work. -Great school district. A few years back, SO MANY of my friends were buying houses like this. They just never appealed to me. Yeah, nice finishes and all that...but they're all out of the way. I prefer just a little more space than I need....not much more though. www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1344-Acorn-St_Lemont_IL_60439_M76686-62873
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 16, 2011 10:53:09 GMT -5
My parents recently decided this as I'm helping them locate their retirement property while the prices are low (well, lowish in CA). For them we're looking for a 5-15 acre property in a semi-rural or mountain area in the central/northern part of California. Not on the Oregon border, good God not Fresno.
They want 4 bedrooms, at least 2 bathrooms, large kitchen and living rooms with a porch large enough to entertain on.
For my Dad the most important is garage space, ideally a retrofit horse barn or 20' x 50' shop he can convert. Considering my Grandpa built and filled 4 shops on his property when he bought it at 70, my Dad will be no different. They also want an attached 2 car garage for modern cars, a fenced and cross fenced yard and preferably a pool.
First house I found with all of those qualities came in at $197k!
For myself it's a bit different. While Mom would like a large property with 2 houses I do not need to live that close to them! I want my "dream house" in ag land, very close to where I live now. Long driveway, mature trees, two story colonial style with wrap around porch. 2-3 bedrooms is fine, 2 bathrooms and an office space. I would love up to 8 acres, room for a large garden, dog run and room to plant fruit trees. Mostly I want something quiet, I would love being surrounded by ag land since the harvesting only takes up a few weeks at a time for each crop. I want neighbors that can be seen, not heard.
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Clifford
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Joined: Dec 22, 2010 15:19:53 GMT -5
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Post by Clifford on Jun 16, 2011 11:10:45 GMT -5
Our dream house has a split floor plan. The summer part is in the northeast, the winter part is in the southeast. All other options are negotiable.
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Deleted
Joined: Oct 5, 2024 11:36:37 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2011 12:52:44 GMT -5
My dream house is where ever my wife lives
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kiskis
Initiate Member
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Post by kiskis on Jun 16, 2011 13:41:03 GMT -5
My dream house is where ever my wife lives You sent her a copy of this didn't you? Nice move. That's precious.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Jun 16, 2011 13:50:31 GMT -5
My dream house is where ever my wife lives Eh.. the wife wants a loft or row house in a trendy neighborhood in San Francisco which doesn't sound all that appealing to me. I figure I'll build my castle on the coast somewhere between Santa Cruz and Pacifica, she can have her trendy place in the city, and we'll just visit each other frequently. Suddenly my dream house got even more dreamy...
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thyme4change
Community Leader
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 16, 2011 14:23:27 GMT -5
Ah - my "lottery" dream. I'll bunk with Loop!
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Apple
Junior Associate
Always travel with a sense of humor
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Post by Apple on Jun 16, 2011 14:27:30 GMT -5
I may be pouring the foundation for my dream house the middle of next month. Log house (with a full basement), a master bedroom/bath in the loft with a balcony and two porches/decks. It was going to be on a small 3 acre lot with (hopefully) the chance to buy the 8.8 acres next to me. Then this last weekend I got a call offering to "swap" properties so I could have the 8.8 acres now, with first right of refusal on the smaller 3 acre plot. It will cost a little more a month, but the guy I'm dealing with has been awesome. There is already a septic system, residential well, large storage building, concrete slab for my future woodshop, and a small old trailor on the larger property. Anyway, I'm excited and scared all at the same time--as long as I can remember I wanted a log house in the woods and that's what I'm getting. For me it's the space and the peace that comes from having all that room. I love walking through trees or sitting back and reading a book surrounded by all the beauty. It's a place where I can relax, I don't feel relaxed in a house with neighbors next door and people around, noises from a road (even though I live on a quiet one now). I'm looking forward to it
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dancinmama
Senior Associate
LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
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Post by dancinmama on Jun 16, 2011 14:27:40 GMT -5
My dream house is where ever my wife lives Eh.. the wife wants a loft or row house in a trendy neighborhood in San Francisco which doesn't sound all that appealing to me. I figure I'll build my castle on the coast somewhere between Santa Cruz and Pacifica, she can have her trendy place in the city, and we'll just visit each other frequently. Suddenly my dream house got even more dreamy... OMG, I look at those row houses in the city and wonder how people can live so crammed together. I get a feeling of claustrophobia just looking at them.
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thyme4change
Community Leader
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 16, 2011 14:29:57 GMT -5
You do know there are walls inside that separate the living spaces of the different households, right?
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Deleted
Joined: Oct 5, 2024 11:36:37 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2011 14:46:31 GMT -5
My dream house is where ever my wife lives Eh.. the wife wants a loft or row house in a trendy neighborhood in San Francisco which doesn't sound all that appealing to me. I figure I'll build my castle on the coast somewhere between Santa Cruz and Pacifica, she can have her trendy place in the city, and we'll just visit each other frequently. Suddenly my dream house got even more dreamy... OMG, I look at those row houses in the city and wonder how people can live so crammed together. I get a feeling of claustrophobia just looking at them. different strokes! the thought of living on 5 acres with no neightbors around sounds like he!! to me.
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dancinmama
Senior Associate
LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
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Post by dancinmama on Jun 16, 2011 14:47:59 GMT -5
"Also most people don't get their dream houses until after their kids are raised, who wants it then? I wish we had a place like this when our kids were growing up." A dream home doesn't necessarily have to be a huge home with a lot of rooms that eventually may or may not get used. Ours is 2600 square feet, but it is a super open floor plan. It includes a kitchen with huge pantry, dining room, and living area which are all open to each other. There is a master bedroom with large walk-in closet, a guest bedroom with an on-suite full bath, an office, a guest bath with shower, and a laundry room. So even though it may seem largish in square footage, there is no non-used space. We moved from a 4-bedroom with formal living room/family room. I didn't like having two living areas and felt that it was a complete waste of space which is why I looked for the great-room concept for our retirement home.
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dancinmama
Senior Associate
LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
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Post by dancinmama on Jun 16, 2011 14:49:29 GMT -5
different strokes! the thought of living on 5 acres with no neightbors around sounds like he!! to me. OMG, I look at those row houses in the city and wonder how people can live so crammed together. I get a feeling of claustrophobia just looking at them. Oh, I think it's great that people want to/have to live in them. I'm just glad that it's not me.
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dancinmama
Senior Associate
LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
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Post by dancinmama on Jun 16, 2011 14:51:07 GMT -5
You do know there are walls inside that separate the living spaces of the different households, right? I hope that's not a serious question.
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Apple
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Always travel with a sense of humor
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Post by Apple on Jun 16, 2011 16:36:24 GMT -5
Oh, I think it's great that people want to/have to live in them. I'm just glad that it's not me. That's one thing I'm betting a few developers in my town wish they'd realized. Townhouses are not desirable here, nobody wants them. Some developers went and tore down some older single family homes with good sized yards and put town houses in--they didn't sell. One of them bought the house I grew up in from my parents and wanted to tear it down and put in townhouses--it's on a corner lot and the neighborhood is almost all single family houses. Theres a large cherry tree in the front yard, two peach trees in the side yard and a black walnut tree in the back yard, with enough yard space left over that 5 kids had all the room they wanted to play, with a large playhouse and a pool that we'd put up in the summer. Also has a garage. The city finally wisened up and told them it just wouldn't fit in the neighborhood. They rent it out now.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 17, 2011 12:57:37 GMT -5
That sounds huge to me - especially for only 2 people.
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