My requirements would be open plan and modern, with a big beautiful kitchen and space for my dogs/cats! I think it’s worht upping budget a bit..but there’s a limit; there’s no point in living near great restaurants etc if you can never enjoy them!
Good luck with it all 🙂

I’d love to have a 3 bedroom/2 bath with a big yard someday. But for now me & hubby are just fine in our 2 bedroom 1 bath luckily with a big yard for our pup Dottie. Gets kinda crowded a times, but well worth it – like Jessica @How Sweet, being house poor is no fun at all! We ALMOST made that mistake a couple years ago and started house hunting – we could have squeezed ourselves dry financially and gotten into a dreamy 3/2 place with a big yard, but then we realized we wouldn’t be able to get ANYTHING for a long time – not even go out to eat occasionally!
All in all, glad we made the decision to stick with our cozy little place. We can upgrade to a bigger place after we have kids!

My husband and I were determined not to be house poor so we built a super small house (845 sq ft with an unfinished basement – we will finish later). It’s small and I love it. Plus, we still get to do fun things!

I love that one of your requirements is good lighting for photography. One of my fears of getting a new dorm room is that it will be a closet with no windows. I need light!

I miss Bruegger’s like WHOA. I used to go there all the time in college because there was one on my way to campus. Their everything bagels are the best!

My requirements all stem from things that I don’t have in my current home that unfortuately didn’t occure to be BEFORE I bought the place 1) It can’t be on an emergency route (aka ambulances and cop cars screaming at 3am is a no-go); 2) a well-lit basement with ceilings high enough for our home gym equipment; 3) Storage and counterspace in the kithen; 4) Private backyard (high fences and trees to block view of neighbors). Bonuses include: trees from which to hang a hammock and close to shops and restaurants. Big dream = waterfront!

I am definately a homebody and love to cook, have space, a yard, etc, etc. My husband and I have always made our home a priority so we are willing to spend a bit more but there is always a limit and you need to really think about what you can comfortably afford and what you can live with if the perfect house presents itself. We bought a house almost 6 years ago now and we looked at over 40 houses before we found the one – in our price range and with everthing we wanted, great yard, room to grow etc. Keep up the search – it is so worth having a wonderful home 🙂

My number one requirement is good location! If you’ve got a house in a good location… it will sell. Next is “good bones” … if the house has good bones, then we can fix it up! Which i love doing 🙂

If it was me and I was renting I wouldn’t up my budget to get my ideal place we could move when the lease was up. Maybe just pick your top 2 must haves? Good luck!

If you are renting I would say settle for a year or two without something so nice and save up to buy a house!! I hate throwing away money to rent!! Luckily here in TX you get so much for your money. I hope to buy a house within the next 2 years. 2000 sq ft, 3 bed, 2bath, large open space with a nice yard. Here you can get that for under $200K, pretty amazing. good luck with your search!

Maybe it depends on how you live. We stuck to a budget and went without fun stuff in our early years. Sometimes I’d complain about how much it sucked to be an adult and have to make responsible decisions…but a few years later we are pretty stable financially and I’m not the type who can live month-to-month and not get stressed. Some people are; I found out that I am definitely not. Anyway, at a point when some other people have strains on their marriage due to finances, are facing foreclosures, and are taking second jobs, we’re in a different place and I’m happy about it. Because of our early scrimping, we’ve been able to travel, go out to eat regularly, and are able to explore some hobbies and interests.

Sometimes we wish we’d done something more “fun” when we were younger…lived right downtown or picked up and moved to a more exciting place. But overall we know this was the right path for us because financial strain is one thing we can’t deal with!

I spy Caribou Coffee 🙂
i’m sure you’ll find the right house!

wow, you new community looks awesome. I have to have a yard big enough for a garden and room for the dog to play a bit. Security is important. I would have to feel save being home alone. Hang in there. You will find something.

My husband and I recently moved from Texas to Kansas City and we decided to get an apartment until we knew the area better. We’d rather save money now and BUY a house in a few years. Even though it’d be so nice to have a rental house and yard right now, I’m very happy with our decision. Moving is stressful enough (mentally and financially) without the added financial stress of paying out the wazoo for a house you don’t even own.

oy. house hunting does not equal fun. i’m undergoing the same stress this weekend in northern california. best of luck.

and you have bruegger’s in the south?! absolutely fabulous. one up for the south.

When I moved from IL to AZ I just rented an apartment “blindly” – never saw it besides the pics online until I arrived at the complex with my UHaul, yikes! Luckily it worked out great.

My only real must have is good closet and storage space. I hate having to cram everthing into tight spaces, I need to spread out.

Good luck with the search!

You’ll find a place! Keep your chin up! I don’t have much advice because we got pretty lucky in finding our place, but, I know it can be a strain, especially if you’re moving to a totally new area. Fingers crossed for you!

My husband and I have been looking at houses in our area for awhile now. We know we need at least a 2 bed, 2 bath, but other than that I don’t really think we’re that picky. I just want the neighborhood to be safe (which will be a bit difficult around here) and cheap enough to not kill us financially!

What about Kath and Matt’s place??? 🙂

House hunting is so stressful – especially in a new city. Luckily, when we moved to Sacramento we got to rent a house from my aunt so we had one less thing to worry about. My must haves have changed since moving to Northern California and getting a dog. Now I must have a yard, at least 1.5 baths and at least 2 bedrooms.

Oh my gosh, house hunting can be SO stressful. I say be picky in the beginning- hold out for what you want. But then if you find it’s not realistic, really look at your list of must haves and see what you wouldn’t mind sparing. I’m one to favor giving something up before going too high in rent- worrying about money is one of my biggest stressors. I’d say my top must-have is location, since it dictates your day to day life. Anything else you can deal with or come up with a creative solution. Good luck on your hunt!

Good luck! Something will come your way. House hunting seems similar to job hunting – patience patience patience : )

Oh, that does sound stressful. Not just buying a house, but buying one in a new city AND it sounds like you’re on a very tight schedule (and tight budget). Would it be possible to move to charlotte, rent a small apartment near your husband’s office, get settled in with the new job/new town/explore neighborhoods, and then house hunt at your leisure?

I’ve never owned a home but I’ve lived in alot of apartments and one my biggest priorities is QUIET. I’ve always lived in cities and thick walls are such a luxury. At my last place there was a couple that had sex like clock work every morning (LOUDLY); a musician who played his base guitar at 1am, and a girl upstairs who seemingly couldn’t walk around without doing it in high heels (on wood). Quiet is wonderful. 🙂

I wouldn’t go over your budget- wouldn’t it be nice to have money to buy new curtains, and enjoy your new home? But that’s just my 2 cents. Good luck!!

I recently moved and had a lot of expectations for my new place and had to compromise quite a bit. I wanted to be within walking distance to grocery stores/work. I found on within walking distance to grocery but not work.

I had a certain price range that I wanted and only wanted to live in only TWO different areas in my city, I managed to find one in the area I wanted.

I wanted laundry, I found one where I SHARE laundry with the ppl above me (I’m in a basement suite).

I wanted a run-able neighbourhood (the one I lived in before was too HILLY) and I found one!

I wanted one that allowed pets (I have a cat and wanted to get a dog) I found one that allows CATS.

In order to get MOST of what I wanted I had to compromise having a bathtub – my tiny place only has a stand-up shower BUT I do have a huge kitchen 🙂

Anyways, Good Luck with your house hunt!!!! Remember, since you’re only renting if you find one that meets MOST of your requirements you can always be on the look out for something better once you move there!!

Are you talking renting or buying? If you are only renting now, I would say definitely find something affordable — make financial sacrifices when you are ready to make a more permanent decision. Rent for awhile and save like crazy so that you can afford what you really want in the future.

Sometimes it’s worth uping your budget for what you want – but it depends on what it is and how much you are getting for how much more. I think back to my college days and how each time I moved I upgraded. First to having a dishwasher, next to central air, then to washer/dryer. Now I could never imagine living without those things – or the tiny closets I use to have. But if it’s something that I really want in a place, like an awesome kitchen, then I think it’s worth spending the extra money! 🙂

Finding a place is such a process. For me it’s just college apartments, so I’m not even looking for anything nice or at all long-term, and it’s still hard. Keep at it!

Have you looked online at realtor.com? They have tons of customizable search options (in your case, renting, area, etc.). I have serious house envy right now (we’re not in a place to buy) and I torture myself by looking at pretty houses. 🙂

I have pretty much the same requirements as you but we’ve come to the decision that we’re going to have to give up on a few things in order to keep the budget down. Which means, if I want hardwood floors, open floor plan, yard, washer/dryer/dishwasher, 2-3 bedrooms and at least 2 bathrooms, etc., we will have to move farther away from all of the bars, restaurants, walkable things, etc. Sucks but I don’t want to be a slave to my house for the rest of my life, and if we go over budget, we won’t be able to enjoy time doing other things.
Real estate agents always try to say “remember, your income will always go up” but after getting laid off (twice) we both know how important it is to be able to afford to live off of one income. Just my opinion. Good luck!!

It is TOTALLY worth it to spend more to love where you live. When our roommate moved out, my fiance and I weren’t sure if we wanted to pay her share of the rent to stay in the neighborhood and apartment that we love. But we did, and even ended up signing the lease for another year!

My boyfriend just moved to an apartment in Uptown CLT (but I live in Raleigh), and I’ve had such fun getting to know the city…hope you do, too! Dilworth is perfect, you might want to check out Elizabeth as well (downside: less fun bars/restaurants in walking distance, but there are a few). My friend has a really cute house on E. 8th street… 2br, small yard…maybe you could find something in that area that is somewhat reasonable? Good luck!

Caitlin, I HIGHLY recommend Financial Peace University through Dave Ramsey. My husband and I have always been pretty much on the same page about finances, but this has made us even more so, and has so encouraged and motivated us to “live like no one else so that later we can LIVE like no one else” (one of the mottos of the program). We live in a tiny house(I’m talking smaller than apartment), but it’s adorable and my husband fixed it up and we aren’t “just getting by” each month. Another big thing is budgeting before the month begins-telling every dollar where to go, instead of wondering where your money went. It’s a challenge and takes awhile to figure out, but so worth it. I’m getting so into it, and I never thought I would be!

it wouldve rocked if you guys couldve been on house hunters, or for rent, or property virgins, or my first place (all HGTV!)…maybe a tad less stressful w/ fame and cameras?! 😉

must have: washer and dryer, dishwasher, lots of windows/sunlight.
likes/dreams: balcony, open-plan, large ass closets.

I’ve lived in some absolutely shocking flats (and had some absolutely shocking flatmates but at least you don’t have to worry about that!). Ever since my first flat I realised there are some things I have to have: windows that actually open(!), a lounge (it had a hallway…), sunlight, and some bench space in the kitchen. I couldn’t even begin to list my nice-to-haves though! Good luck with the house hunting.

We bought a house with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, and then finished the basement where we put in another bedroom and another full bath. A big kitchen is a MUST, along with a dining area for my beautiful table. Big windows are important too, and a good location! I would renovate a house before I would up my budget too much.

I felt stressed out and nauseous the entire time we were buying our house. It’s a big deal! We chose our house because of the location and the fact that it had lots of windows/good natural light (my requirements) and it was only a couple of years old with an unfinished basement (Husband’s requirements). It also has 3 bedrooms (smallish) and only one bathroom, but had the necessary…ah…hookups? for a half bath in the basement, which we have since added. It also had a wood stove, which was a perk for us.

I will tell you this, I did not love my house when we bought it, but we got a really good deal it it was a great location. We’ve been there for 8 years now. I still love the location. We’ve done quite a bit of work in the basement and I have a really nice workout space down there. I still love having a wood stove. It’s home and I am content there. I don’t regret that we bought it. But I still don’t love the house, if that makes sense.

Are yall looking in any neighborhood in particular? Dilworth? Chantilly? I wish you luck! I’m having fun seeing your pictures from all the local restaurants 🙂