However, for my first house, I must be content with something a bit different.... I have made a list of the features which I am looking for. These are bits that I simply cannot do without:

2) I would like a fairly open floor plan, especially a kitchen that is not closed off
3) I would like there to be a window in the kitchen, one on which I could set a plant or two (i.e. aloe vera, basil...)
4) A sizeable backyard where we can have a dog, I can plant a garden, and the kids can
play.
5) A porch, or room to build one. ( Gotta have the porch swing. )
These are very doable, but we have been having the experience that we will find a house, and before we are even able to look at it, it will go under contract. This has happened 4 or 5 times already. (Proof that the economy is not as bad as we are led to believe)
Today, I will go and look at a house that appears to meet this criteria, and then some....I will let you know