What were they thinking?!
Have you ever walked into a home for the first time and wondered what was going through someone else’s head when they made a particular decision? From green walls to hoarding-style clutter, every home is different. While HGTV has helped us learn how to exercise our “seeing the potential” muscle, sometimes you can’t help but wonder what was going through a homeowner’s head when they made a particular choice.
In the same way that homeowners have a variety of tastes, so do renters and home buyers. We reached out to a variety of both to see what non-traditional characteristics people look for in a home, whether to rent or buy! Of course, we heard the usual: school qualities and the commute to work really matter.
What about those little details though? What do renters really want?
1) No Split-Levels
When we were looking for a place here, we did not want a split level. The front door opens to a staircase--so weird!
-Allison L.
I have never heard someone say “Well, gosh, I hope this home is a split level,” so I don’t think Allison is alone!
2) A Pantry
Pantry!!!! I never realized how valuable a pantry is until I didn’t have one.
-Ikeisha T.
As someone who is in my second consecutive home without a pantry, I can testify to the value of a pantry, but cabinet space might be a trade-off here. If you have other shelving or places to put your food, going without a pantry might be doable.
3) Multiple Bathrooms
Most important first: Two toilets.
-Mary R.
I feel like there has to be a backstory that makes this a top priority, but I was too scared to ask for clarification.
4) Some Privacy
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A privacy fence is a MUST for me. I will not look at a house without a fence regardless of how beautiful it is.
-Sara B.
I heard this a lot. My initial thought was that this was a deal breaker for pet owners, but the more I dug in, I found that people were also very interested in people able to play with their kids in the back yard without neighbors looking in. Someone suggested that a privacy fence also helps contain sound.
5) The Kitchen Rules
The kitchen is my main concern. When looking to rent a house, I want plenty of room to move around, decent appliances (not brand new, but in good condition), a sink that faces out a window (negotiable), plenty of storage for dishes/pots'n pans, a pantry (non-negotiable), easy to clean flooring and back splashes, and preferably larger sinks (not the dinky half-sink things people install these days).
-Tamra M.
Tamra clearly knows where she stands on different aspects of her kitchen. The kitchen is definitely an area where you get what you pay for. If having a nice kitchen is this important to you, expect to shell out more in rent or home price because of it, especially with this many specifications.
6) No Weird Smells
I smell for weird odors.
-Stephanie K.
Are there some smells than a hefty level of Febreze and a deep cleaning by a professional can’t get out?
Your turn: What are unique characteristics that you look for in a home you’re renting or considering to buy?
