Katie's Top 5 Must Haves in a Home

1. Cozy Feeling- I want everyone to feel comfortable and at home when they walk into our house. The perfect candle, cozy blankets out to share, and of course, sweet treats up for grabs, creates an inviting atmosphere.

2. Outdoor Patio/Porch- With two little boys we are always playing in the backyard. Now that we’re seeing glimpses of fall weather, sharing a meal outside on our back porch is a favorite of mine. 

3. Lots of Counter Space- I don’t know about you, but when I cook, ingredients, pots and pans, and cutting boards are everywhere. Plenty of counter space ensures that a home cooked meal happens in our house!

4. Pops of Bright Color- I am a huge fan of traditional decorating, but I think fun pops of bright colors on artwork or throw pillows adds a sense of whimsy and fun!

5. Fireplace- We live in Florida, so fires don’t happen too often. But! A fireplace is the perfect focal point for a room. Put up special artwork or seasonal decor to bring some change to a room all throughout the year. 

Shali's Top 5 Must Haves in a Home

1.     Sizable Open Kitchen  – We love to entertain and have game nights with extended family and friends. It’s important that we can cook together in the kitchen, have conversations across the bar, and have an eye on the living room to watch all the little ones while the adults enjoy themselves.

2.     High Ceilings – My husband and I are both tall and enjoy higher ceilings along with unusually tall doors. Not to mention a floor plan that might be smaller on paper really can come to life and feel “just right” when the ceiling is 9ft+.

3.     A Private Entryway – Personally, having lived in apartments, it was a pet peeve when I had visitors or someone stop by, that the door was the center of the living area. There was no privacy. In our current home, it was important we have a hallway that allows for a little privacy and guest having an opportunity to take coats and shoes off.

4.     Large Closet – The bigger the better! My ideal closet would be one that is its own attached bedroom to the Owner’s suite. With a bay window, chair, and tons of shelving and shoe racks.

5.     A Game/Movie Room- My husband likes to play video games, and we LOVE movies. I would envision a movie room with a tv the size of the wall where he can retreat to, to play games as well as double function as a fun movie room with the family. Adding in a popcorn machine and mini fridge for pure entertainment and décor.

Jacki's Top 5 Must Haves in a Home

1. A Fenced in Backyard- This is a common one, but definitely at the top of my list. I need a large area for my big dog, Tucker, to run around in and sunbathe. I also love the idea of being able to create my own little getaway spot with the potential for outdoor furniture and maybe a small herb garden.

2. Extra Storage- I need all the storage! I’ve lived in many houses where storage was so minimal with nowhere to put all the necessities let alone stay organized. I love a few large closets and a good sized garage (built in cabinets or shelving for an added bonus!)

3. Cozy Living Room Set Up- The living room is the most used and favorite spot in our house! It’s important to me to be able to visualize furniture in the space- I want it to fit well with a good layout and have the potential for a great movie night.

4. A Quiet Street- This is a new one I never knew I needed. Currently, my backyard backs up to a busy road with constant traffic noises. I’ve learned to tune it out but realize I took for granted the quiet streets I’ve lived on that are peaceful and tucked away. Definitely a must have for me.

5. Lots of Windows/Natural Lighting- I find myself hardly turning on any lights and when I have to, it just doesn’t compare. The natural lighting from a good sunny day boosts my energy and happiness overall. It also makes your space feel bigger and more open. I’ll take as many windows as I can get! 

Anna's Top 5 Must Haves in a Home

1. Backyard views & privacy: I fall in love with backyards before I fall in love with the homes in front of them. I love sitting on my back deck and looking out at the preserve and creek behind our home. It is my peaceful refuge at any time of day. Bonus: tall bamboo like we have along the side fence, so we can enjoy near-total privacy. This is forever my number one, non-negotiable must. 

2. Laundry room on same floor as bedroom: Oh, how I miss this! I took for granted what it meant in terms of accessibility and ease, but having the W/D just a few feet from our bedroom in our first home was amazing! Our current laundry room is three flights of stairs up from the bedrooms, which makes each load that much less convenient. On the upside - I wear a lot more of my wardrobe to avoid carrying the basket up to the mudroom.

3. Natural light: Ask anyone who FaceTimes with me regularly - I never keep lights on. I open the blinds and curtains every morning and stay lit via the sun (and the backlight of my phone tbh) until I find myself sitting in complete darkness. Lots of windows, French doors, and skylights are a must for me! 

4. Hard-wired ethernet + reliable WAP: It feels like everything is connected to internet! With phones, laptops, TVs, security panels, thermostats, locks, and more running on WiFi, the option to plug in directly for faster, more stable connectivity is essential. This is near the top of my list for the next home I build/buy and a great reason to consider new builds, many of which include hard-wired ethernet and WAPs (wireless access points) at time of construction.

5. Workspace in garage or shed: My husband, Dan, enjoys woodworking. He’s built multiple pieces in our home, so having a space in the garage or a detached shed serves both function and joy. Our current garage has a workspace carved out along the side, so it doesn’t block the parking area, which is a huge plus!

Emily's Top 5 Must Haves in a Home

Perfect timing!  My family and I are currently building our forever home in Historic Springfield so "must haves" have been frequent conversation topics the last few months. When the perfect lot + plan became available we jumped on it because it included our major wants in a home!   

1. Backyard- With a 5 and 3 year old we need a place for them to burn some energy.  They will literally run in circles for hours so we need a place to accommodate their energy levels.  We also love to entertain so a space for hanging out with friends + family is crucial for us (and I love being outside- even in the Florida summer heat).

2. Home Office Space-My husband and I both work from home, like most people in 2020, and it's essential to have a work space that is separate from the rest of the house to help maintain a work/life balance.  An extra bedroom, garage apartment, or she shed is the perfect place to make a functioning home office. 

3. Open Kitchen (bonus: an island)- Mike loves to cook and I love to eat so the idea of a large kitchen where I can hang out while he cooks, see the kids in the living room while doing the dishes, and be able to host parties (when we can again) is definitely on my top 5 list!

4. Kid Space- Before I had children my house was always clean and orderly.  Fast forward to babies and that quickly changed- seriously a clean house lasts maybe 3 minutes these days.  A dedicated playroom or area to stash the clutter is super important for my sanity.  

5. Location- There is nothing better than an early morning walk to grab a coffee from our favorite neighborhood spots.  Walkability or a quick drive to our favorite restaurants, breweries, and shops is something I can't live without!

Chelsea's Top 5 Must Haves in a Home

1. Large Windows and Florida Room- Having large windows can make any small space feel bigger. There’s just something about having natural light shine through a room that makes a home feel pleasant and relaxing. What’s better than large windows? How about a Florida room! A room that allows sunlight to shine through at all hours of the day is my dream! This is another renovation in the works for our home but oh, how I love homes that have all the natural light possible.

2. Laundry Room- As a family of five, it was essential for us to have a laundry room that was functional! Not only do we have additional cabinet space but we also have a counter top for folding. Huge win for us because without this room we would have one less couch *sigh!

3. Statement Kitchen- I love a statement kitchen! Whether it’s a pop of color on the cabinets or a fun tile design, statement kitchens add a fun characteristic to your home. I personally favor Benjamin Moore Forest Green or PGG Chinese Porcelain - which I am using on my own kitchen cabinets.

4. Large Yard- With 3 children and a dog, my family's top priority was yard space. Having a lard yard allows for our children to run around out back, have fun on their trampoline, and explore in the trees, while also giving me space for my own mini garden as well as a spot for daddy’s shed.

5. Porch- While my current home doesn’t have a porch, one is coming and I am so ready for it! A porch is probably my favorite part of a home. It’s where I can sit and sip my morning coffee. It’s where I can read my books and drink my wine. But it’s also where my family can enjoy outside together and watch the sunset behind the trees.