Don't Expect a Shoe Room!

 

If you’re in the market for buying a new home, it’s no news flash to hear that you have a lot of options. With plenty of houses up for sale, and a real estate environment that can only be considered a “buyer’s market,” you are in the perfect position to get exactly what you want out of a new living space. However, having realistic goals for your new abode is important. No matter how much the market has changed or how badly a seller or builder want you to buy their house, some things just aren’t going to happen. Let’s look at three specific examples:

 

1) Don’t Expect a Shoe Room.

Fact: Some celebrities have an entire room dedicated to their footwear. Also, fact: This is not a standard feature in most houses. If you’ve found that you have enough shoes to fill an entire bedroom, then maybe you should look for a house with just that: an extra bedroom. However, you can’t expect a three bedroom, two baths to have that kind of space lying around, even if the market is hurting. Instead, you can look for a home with large walk-in-closets, hopefully providing you with enough room for your stilettos.

2) Don’t Expect Glass Flooring.

Modern? Sure. Sleek? Absolutely. Realistic? Not quite. You may want to be able to dine while looking directly into the basement entertainment center below you, but in most cases you’re not going to find that sort of upgrade without paying some serious cash for it. On the other hand, many upgrades like granite, hardwoods, extra-tall cabinets and stainless steel appliances are now being included in buying price, without up-charge. So, hopefully, you can get your flooring fix with a nice set of maple slats.

3) Don’t Expect a Grotto.

If you live in Florida like us, it might seem like the ultimate stay-cation idea to pop into the backyard to your steamy Jacuzzi, surrounded by natural rocks and plant-life, and maybe even a waterfall for good measure. It’s good to dream big, but be real about the budget when you do. If you want a retreat from the heat, you’re more likely to find it in quality amenities like community pools or splash fountains. These social hubs are popping up more and more in great communities, providing everything from a public clubhouse to a workout room. It may not be a waterfall, but at least it can still support good times for the family.

Be honest with yourself when beginning the home-buying process: do you really need the six-shower head, rainforest-esque bathroom suite, or is that a want that seeped onto the wrong list? But don’t give up all hope entirely; these houses have some custom features and are having a hard time selling in this market. Haven’t you always wanted a swimming pool in the living room?

What sort of crazy requests have you heard about from homebuyers, or what is something you have to have in a home that you can’t live without? Let us know in the comments below!