Anyone who knows me well knows that Friends, The Office, HIMYM, Criminal Minds, and New Girl are a few of my favorite shows (also pretty popular picks on Netflix, and in no particular order.) However, I’m also a huge fan of HGTV. You can never go wrong with some Property Brothers, or House Hunters, right? Although I can barely decorate my dorm room, I feel pretty confidently that I’ve learned a thing or two about house ownership from my slightly unhealthy love for the Home and Garden Television Network (I didn’t know that’s what it stood for either.)
1. Large Kitchen
First, and foremost the number one must have is a large kitchen. It must have granite countertops and a huge island. Also, updated appliances. If not every couple will give each other that disappointed look, “I can’t envision us cooking and entertaining in this space.” (Give me a huge island, enough to put a few large pizzas on. Hawaiian pizza included- for all those pineapple pizza haters out there, and I am set.)
2. Big Master
The second must have is a huge master bedroom. With that of course, an on suite bathroom, and double vanity.
3. Huge Shower
The shower has to be large enough to host a small dinner party in them.
4. Walk-In Closet
A walk in closet is always a plus. No one is going to walk in a closet and turn it down because it’s too big. But never fails, a couple will walk into a home and open the closet doors and smirk, “It’s great for me, but where are all your clothes going to go?” (Cue sarcastic giggle.)
5. Big Yard
The yard has to be big enough for the dogs to run around. (Oh yeah, and the kids.)
6. Extra Costs For Unexpected Damages
It never fails. The couple on Property Brothers will always go over their budget because of the discovery of some unexpected water damage, or asbestos. (I was watching an episode the other day and turns out that the water damage that was coming from the bathroom upstairs was actually years of leaked pee from the pipes. Gross!)
7. Ugly Paint Colors
There’s always one room in the house that is painted a horrific shade of highlighter yellow, barf green, or an interesting stripe design. (Not a deal breaker though, friends.)
8. Insanely Low Costs For A Grocery List Of Amenities
Countless amount of times I’ll be watching House Hunters, Property Brothers, (or my new favorite Fixer Upper) and a house will be on the market for 300,000 dollars. Meanwhile, it has a lake in the backyard, a huge kitchen (followed by all of the above) a pool, like 7291 acres of land, finished with a white picket fence. I think it may be time for me to move.
9. Renovation
No couple ever wants to go through a renovation. However, most of them end up doing it anyway.
10. Open Floor Plan
Two words. Open concept. (Obviously, the kitchen must open up into the living space to successfully monitor the children. You know, make sure they’re not drawing on the walls, putting the dog's toys in their mouths, or watching Jersey Shore.)